Pension Credits

J_McCarthy

Can any tell me if is is possible to claim Pension Credits living in Spain. We have paid all our taxes over the years, but don't seem to be eligible

dunstonh

As you live in Spain and are a Spanish resident you need to look at their system. Not that of UK residents. Pension credit is not available to you.

seven-day-weekend

There are certain Benefits transportable to Spain, but Pension Credit is not one of them. It is one of the benefits that is dependent upon residency and as a non-resident in the UK you will not be entitled.

Providing you were receiving them before you left the UK, Incapacity Benefit, DLA (Care Component only), Winter Fuel Allowance and Widow's Benefit are transportable, so is Jobseekers' Allowance for a short while if you are seeking work.

Basic State Pension is payable anywhere in the world.

I do not think you will be eligible for anything from the Spanish Governmemt unless you have paid into the system.

See info below from this link

http://209.85.229.132/search?q=cache:-vgQVih_ZnkJ:www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/stellent/groups/jcp/documents/websitecontent/dev_012307.pdf+pension+credit+eligibility+abroad&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk

Pension Credit
You must let The Pension Service know if you intend to
go abroad. You can do this by contacting your local
pension centre.
If you are going abroad permanently, you cannot get Pension Credit.
If your stay abroad is temporary, and you would still qualify
for Pension Credit if you had stayed in Great Britain, you can
continue to get Pension Credit for the first 4 weeks you are
abroad. You can only do this if you are likely to be abroad for
less than a year.
If you are going abroad for medical treatment paid for by the
NHS, you can continue to get Pension Credit for the length of
your treatment.
If you are taking a child abroad so they can have medical
treatment from a qualified person, you may be able to get
Pension Credit for up to 8 weeks if the child normally lives with
you. (A child is someone who Child Benefit could be paid for).
You can only do this if you are unlikely to be abroad for less
than a year and you would still qualify for Pension Credit if you
had stayed in Great Britain.
If you have your Pension Credit paid into an account, this
can continue. If you do not have it paid into an account,
you will usually get the money when you return to Great
Britain, unless you arrange for your Pension Credit to be
sent to someone who has stayed in Great Britain (usually
your partner). We cannot send payments to you while you
are abroad.