state pension entitlement form proof of living

[jwest10]

Hi   I can not find any information on this subject, but sure it has been covered before.

Yes just a small query and led to believe all expats would have to fill in an entitlement to State Pension and once every 5 years think was mentioned. 
I had one about a year ago and no problems and sent it back and wondering can some people get a form every year and I think not and noticed it is only sent out by ordinary post.
These days it is getting increasingly more difficult just to get something signed and like the bank and start asking quiestions.
Yes, hopefully just a form every few years and seem to think reading a long time ago about this 5 year thing.
Thank you
 

[transam]

I am from the UK and have had one every year so far, but this year at the same time nothing. When I send it back l phone them about 3 weeks later to be sure they have received it. My farang chum has a business here in LOS and they accepted him as a witness, l think because his business can be found on the Net....

[ubonjoe]

Moved to here.

What country are you from?

[Kwasaki]

5 hours ago, jwest10 said:

These days it is getting increasingly more difficult just to get something signed and like the bank and start asking quiestions.

You can always post to someone like me if you have a problem,  many falangies here can sign for you. 

 

[transam]

Just now, Kwasaki said:

You can always post to someone like me if you have a problem,  many falangies here can sign for you. 

 

The form says... YOU are witnessing the signature, looking over his shoulder.....

[Orton Rd]

Just a formality to show you are not dead, if you can post it to somebody then you are not are you 

Edited June 29, 2017 by Orton Rd

[Kwasaki]

46 minutes ago, transam said:

The form says... YOU are witnessing the signature, looking over his shoulder.....

Yeah well of course, you can post me and will meet you, just case there watching. 

[Ricardo]

12 hours ago, Orton Rd said:

Just a formality to show you are not dead, if you can post it to somebody then you are not are you 

 

My wife sometimes drops a letter in-the-post for me  ...  without checking whether I'm still alive or not.

 

But anyway, it's not too dificult, to find someone qualified to sign for you, a teacher or ex-civil-servant or professional person.

[Kwasaki]

7 minutes ago, Ricardo said:

But anyway, it's not too dificult, to find someone qualified to sign for you, a teacher or ex-civil-servant or professional person.

Well lets not be too casual about that,  maybe in some places in Thailand but some places not so easy,  some Thai professionals will reject out hand even offering to pay.

 

One other thing is they inform you have 8 weeks to return it my first one took 6 weeks to get to me, the second one 4 weeks, l telephoned IPC to inform them,  l think have increased the form return date now.

Dunno why the DWP can't use Skype. 

 

Myself found it difficult going to all you say,  when it was pointed out to them you are to sign as a WITNESS    they were most concerned,  maybe they thought they could get dragged into court or some other obscure reason. 

That's why l offer to do it if someone is having trouble.

[OJAS]

11 hours ago, Ricardo said:

But anyway, it's not too dificult, to find someone qualified to sign for you, a teacher or ex-civil-servant or professional person.

 

10 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

Well lets not be too casual about that,  maybe in some places in Thailand but some places not so easy,  some Thai professionals will reject out hand even offering to pay.

Definitely easier said than done to get a life certificate witnessed locally in my case. That is why I made a pre-emptive strike on my recent trip to Europe by getting a work colleague of my sister's to witness a scan of the blank certificate DWP sent me a year ago.

 

I would have thought that DWP should have been able to make available a Thai-language version of the certificate to assist us in our attempts to get a suitable professional with a minimal grasp of English to do the necessary. But, perhaps not surprisingly, they told me, when I enquired about this possibility, that no such version existed. So it looks like the Thai language is not included in the long list of mainly obscure languages in which HMG documents can be published, for some mysterious reason!

 

Be that as it may, I consider it most unreasonable that DWP are, in effect, placing the onus squarely on us to ensure that our prospective life certificate witnessers acquire a full understanding of the witnessing process, without any assistance to this end from them whatsoever. After all, it is at their, not our, insistence that life certificates need to be witnessed!

Edited June 30, 2017 by OJAS

[Kwasaki]

44 minutes ago, OJAS said:

Thai-language version of the certificate to assist us in our attempts to get a suitable professional with a minimal grasp of English to do the necessary. But, perhaps not surprisingly, they told me, when I enquired about this possibility, that no such version existed. So it looks like the Thai language is not included in the long list of mainly obscure languages in which HMG documents can be published, for some mysterious reason!

Not surprised really about Thai language not listed in all council and government offices we didn't occupy Thailand. 

Like l said would be so easy to do a Skype witness ID. 

Edited June 30, 2017 by Kwasaki

[jwest10]

On 29/6/2560 at 1:45 PM, ubonjoe said:

Moved to here.

What country are you from?

 

On 29/6/2560 at 1:45 PM, ubonjoe said:

Moved to here.

What country are you from?

 

On 29/6/2560 at 1:45 PM, ubonjoe said:

Moved to here.

What country are you from?

Hi and thanks,  everyone and of course talking about the British State Pension  and yes indeed I find people and particularly banks seemingly refuse to sign and "what is this and what does it mean" As if it is a scam or scandal.
I personally note on a calendar and in my diary when my next State Pension falls due and is only late a couple of days, if there are public holidays.
In the main I have not encountered any problems and was merely asking the question, if the form sent every year and do not believe it does.
The trouble is and I knew someone last year did not receive the form, but his wife did and this should have warned him, that perhaps he should have had one.
But this person would you believe did not know that 2 months pension not hitting his bank account. Yes, perhaps one of the very lucky ones not needing the frozen pension!!!
It is not too difficult to check the balance at the ATM, but believe he then telephoned the Pension people and rectified and a new form was sent to him.

Yes indeed the post is dreadful at the UK and find forms and such like do arrive, but notice they never send by recorded delivery and not fussed at the moment, but would worry if my pension say is late by a week and that is the time to worry. but like so many other things here one does worry about various things.
We all know and even looking up dear old Google, that still the answer is not there and very rarely is there an email to send.
One has to laugh, but I have in the past how do I know it is you etc etc and sometimes even giving, even more, information  and relating to other matters.
Very annoying in that one it seems can not email, as I say how do I know this is you, but no difference in telephoning, but I suppose added security questions are asked for protection!!!

 

Edited July 3, 2017 by jwest10
Missed something

[transam]

2 minutes ago, jwest10 said:

 

 

Hi and thanks,  everyone and of course talking about the British State Pension  and yes indeed I find people and particularly banks seemingly refuse to sign and "what is this and what does it mean" As if it is a scam or scandal.
I personally note on a calendar and in my diary when my next State Pension falls due and is only late a couple of days, if there are public holidays.
In the main I have not encountered any problems and was merely asking the question, if the form sent every year and do not believe it does.
The trouble is and I knew someone last year did not receive the form, but his wife did and this should have warned him, that perhaps he should have had one.
But this person would you believe did not know that 2 months pension not hitting his bank account. Yes, perhaps one of the very lucky ones not needing the frozen pension!!!
It is not too difficult to check the balance at the ATM, but believe he then telephoned the Pension people and rectified.

Yes indeed the post is dreadful at the UK and find forms and such like do arrive, but notice they never send by recorded delivery and not fussed at the moment, but would worry if my pension say is late by a week and that is the time to worry. but like so many other things here one does worry about various things.
We all know and even looking up dear old Google, that still the answer is not there and very rarely is there an email to send.
One has to laugh, but I have in the past how do I know it is you etc etc and sometimes even giving even more information  and relating to other matters.

 

I gave them my phone number in LOS in case they never received my form or there was a problem, plus l phone them to ensure that my "witness" on the form was OK with them...

[Kwasaki]

26 minutes ago, jwest10 said:

Very annoying in that one it seems can not email, as I say how do I know this is you, but no difference in telephoning, but I suppose added security questions are asked for protection!!!

With respect you seem to have a attitude towards IPC that will not help.

 

In their defence IPC do respond to emails but not on change of circumstances which is for your protection. 

 

In my experience telephoning IPC they are very helpful and reassuring you should try it sometime, they can't eat you..

 

If you have trouble getting through it's Thailand's end not the UK end,  l had trouble getting through way back when connection in our area was erratic, so emailed my daughter to give my phone number and they telephoned me,  how's that for service.

[jwest10]

21 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

With respect you seem to have a attitude towards IPC that will not help.

 

In their defence IPC do respond to emails but not on change of circumstances which is for your protection. 

 

In my experience telephoning IPC they are very helpful and reassuring you should try it sometime, they can't eat you..

 

If you have trouble getting through it's Thailand's end not the UK end,  l had trouble getting through way back when connection in our area was erratic, so emailed my daughter to give my phone number and they telephoned me,  how's that for service.

 

21 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

With respect you seem to have a attitude towards IPC that will not help.

 

In their defence IPC do respond to emails but not on change of circumstances which is for your protection. 

 

In my experience telephoning IPC they are very helpful and reassuring you should try it sometime, they can't eat you..

 

If you have trouble getting through it's Thailand's end not the UK end,  l had trouble getting through way back when connection in our area was erratic, so emailed my daughter to give my phone number and they telephoned me,  how's that for service.

With respect to you also and thx I do know the numbers and not all of us have the luxury of Family in the UK anymore .  Please do not look down on others I was merely asking the question and pleased you are a frozen pensioner and for a cause I work long hours, not just for me, but all you who do not get involved one little bit.
 

 

 

Edited July 4, 2017 by jwest10

[transam]

9 minutes ago, jwest10 said:

 

With respect to you also and thx I do know the numbers and not all of us have the luxury of Family in the UK anymore .  Please do not look down on others I was merely asking the question and pleased you are a frozen pensioner and for a cause I work long hours, not just for me, but all you who do not get involved one little bit.
 

 

 

Don't understand your post...

[jwest10]

Just now, transam said:

Don't understand your post...

Apologies think accidentally send a reply to wrong message lol Sorry again lol

 

[jwest10]

On 29/6/2560 at 1:37 PM, transam said:

I am from the UK and have had one every year so far, but this year at the same time nothing. When I send it back l phone them about 3 weeks later to be sure they have received it. My farang chum has a business here in LOS and they accepted him as a witness, l think because his business can be found on the Net....

Yes accidentally replied to wrong person. Have a good day and yeah it was under this heading and perhaps just misread it . Have a great day and no form as yet, if indeed going to get one. I was under the impression everyone would get this at least every 5 years, but you receiving it every year?

 

[jwest10]

21 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

With respect you seem to have a attitude towards IPC that will not help.

 

In their defence IPC do respond to emails but not on change of circumstances which is for your protection. 

 

In my experience telephoning IPC they are very helpful and reassuring you should try it sometime, they can't eat you..

 

If you have trouble getting through it's Thailand's end not the UK end,  l had trouble getting through way back when connection in our area was erratic, so emailed my daughter to give my phone number and they telephoned me,  how's that for service.

Excuse me and with respect to you and was merely asking a quiestion and not to be shouted down and have no attitude problem OK. Thx for information and merely stating a form may not come every year and not all of us have any Family left in the UK. 
So excuse me it is your attitude and also can not ask a simple question and in my experience, people do not reply to messages, so you must have been very lucky 

[transam]

3 minutes ago, jwest10 said:

Yes accidentally replied to wrong person. Have a good day and yeah it was under this heading and perhaps just misread it . Have a great day and no form as yet, if indeed going to get one. I was under the impression everyone would get this at least every 5 years, but you receiving it every year?

 

Yes, but oddly not this year so far, it is usually around my birthday...But last year when I phoned to make sure they got it l had the usual security questions which were OK then he asked, can you give me the full phone number from where you are phoning from, of course it had +66...Hmmmm, I thought....I have my suspicions why the question....

[jwest10]

2 minutes ago, transam said:

Yes, but oddly not this year so far, it is usually around my birthday...But last year when I phoned to make sure they got it l had the usual security questions which were OK then he asked, can you give me the full phone number from where you are phoning from, of course it had +66...Hmmmm, I thought....I have my suspicions why the question....

Transam
Thx and interesting around your birthday and last year July2 the first form signed last year and my birthday in May. Not too worry right, only when we do not receive the frozen pension.

and they accepted it and no additional form sent? 

[colinneil]

OP when you get the form, no need to go to the bank.

Get a government official/ policeman/teacher etc to sign for you.

I have had 2 now, first time a retired UK bank manager signed, second time my wifes cousin ( school director ) signed.

No problems from DWP.

[Speedo1968]

Never had a form - when did they start sending them out ?

I only receive a basic state pension - no add ons - due to my working life being mostly outside the UK.

I advised them ( DSS ) I was leaving the UK and asked all mail to be sent to my daughter,

so far she has received 2 letters in the past 3 years, one she forwarded here to my PO Box and

I have never received it.

Yes mail can take weeks to arrive from UK but here to UK takes days.

 

In relation to the HMRC.   Be cautious, on 2 occasions I was asked to fill in a form online,

both times the site contained a serious virus.    I went to the local HMRC office last time I was in UK,

they wouldn't even discus it.

[Kwasaki]

8 hours ago, jwest10 said:

 

With respect to you also and thx I do know the numbers and not all of us have the luxury of Family in the UK anymore .  Please do not look down on others I was merely asking the question and pleased you are a frozen pensioner and for a cause I work long hours, not just for me, but all you who do not get involved one little bit.
 

OK so your bitter maybe not twisted but upset,  l understand you cannot take that l was merely saying give IPC a call,  up to you.  

If you can post here you can get DWP/IPC phone numbers but l will keep them to myself.  

Edited July 4, 2017 by Kwasaki

[JohnC]

I contacted International Pensions last year and they said the letters are generated randomly by computer so some people get them more often and others not at all. 

My first one was sent five years ago and I only found out because they sent a reminder, the replacement never arrived and I ended up getting one sent to my daughter as I was going over on holiday! They also increased the turn round time to I think 16 weeks .

 

if you have any retired British commissioned officers near you they can witness your letter. I provide this service for our expat club members. 

[jwest10]

18 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

OK so your bitter maybe not twisted but upset,  l understand you cannot take that l was merely saying give IPC a call,  up to you.  

If you can post here you can get DWP/IPC phone numbers but l will keep them to myself.  

I've got them the telephone numbers ni I'm sweet as a nut ok cheers and you? But thanks for info anyway.