State pension differs from forecast

averageguy11

Hello

Last August I did a online forecast request..this confirmed my wife was eligible for a full state pension and an additional pension payment.

She turned 60 yesterday ..and on thursday we had the standard letter from W&P stating she would only be getting the basic state pension...no mention of this additional sum at all...its a difference of some £25 per week.

We will of course be ringing them this coming tuesday..but would anyone have any idea why they havent kept to there forecast..her circumstances have not changed in any way..and this difference will blow a hole in our finances.

TIA

jancee_2

averageguy11 wrote: »

Hello

Last August I did a online forecast request..this confirmed my wife was eligible for a full state pension and an additional pension payment.

She turned 60 yesterday ..and on thursday we had the standard letter from W&P stating she would only be getting the basic state pension...no mention of this additional sum at all...its a difference of some £25 per week.

We will of course be ringing them this coming tuesday..but would anyone have any idea why they havent kept to there forecast..her circumstances have not changed in any way..and this difference will blow a hole in our finances.

TIA

The only reason I can think of is that when you apply for a forecast you have to state whether you are working and what your level of earnings is. If you mistakenly stated a high level of earnings, and that didn't actually happen, then the system would have forecast earnings related additional pension based on that figure.

Do you think your wife *should* have this level of S2P? Has she been working and not been contracted out?

averageguy11

Thanks for the reply...the higher level of earnings doesn't apply...but as regards to how much is expected I haven't a clue..apart from that they indicated that amount..so why is it different?...She hasnt been contracted out

Also have to confirm that the forecast was only in august of last year

CIS

When I used to work there we would get similar issues where a person hadn't a forecast for a few years before retiring and they had the prediction made based on the last full year of earnings prior to requesting the forecast. This shouldn't happen with less than 1 year to go pension age.

The only way to proceed now is to contact them and query why the Additional Pension is no longer showing

jancee_2

averageguy11 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply...the higher level of earnings doesn't apply...but as regards to how much is expected I haven't a clue..apart from that they indicated that amount..so why is it different?...She hasnt been contracted out

Also have to confirm that the forecast was only in august of last year

If she has been working and definitely not been contracted out then there should be *some* additional pension there. What pension has she been awarded? £95.25 per week?

averageguy11

Yep...thats the sum...its very confusing and worrying at the mo...one always gets these things the day before a bank holiday...I did ring the number quoted on the letter..was told to ring another number..I am totally sure it was the one I heard ..but it put me through to RBS online banking! ...They were closed by the time I could get back to them.

jancee_2

averageguy11 wrote: »

Yep...thats the sum...its very confusing and worrying at the mo...one always gets these things the day before a bank holiday...I did ring the number quoted on the letter..was told to ring another number..I am totally sure it was the one I heard ..but it put me through to RBS online banking! ...They were closed by the time I could get back to them.

But a: has she been working?

And b: are you sure she wasn't contracted out into an occupational pension scheme?

averageguy11

Yes she has been working...although less and less over the last 2 years..and no she hadnt joined any occupational scheme.

chesky369

Are you absolutely sure she won't get the additional amount for SERPS? It may be that they've just written to tell her the amount of state pension she will receive and that the extras will be added on.

Geoffo_M

A friend of mine has just been awarded her state pension. It includes the additional pension for 1978 to 1997 based on her earnings, less the 8 years in which she was a member of an occupational scheme. She had received a forecast last December, and this tied in with that. It looks like they have made a mistake in your wife's case. I'm sure it will all be sorted when you ring up. They are very helpful.

Geoffo_M

chesky369 wrote: »

Are you absolutely sure she won't get the additional amount for SERPS? It may be that they've just written to tell her the amount of state pension she will receive and that the extras will be added on.

No, the first award should include all the extras. You have a month to appeal.