state pension deferal

searcher30

if you have just claimed your state pension in the last 4/5 months can you then decide to hold it and defere it for a few years later?
thanks

CIS

You can do, you can defer it once and then re-instate it once - there are two methods of deferment:
Lumpsum = Base rate + 2% for every year (min 1 year)
Increments = 1% for every 5 weeks (min 5 weeks)

chesky369

Yes, look back at any correspondence you have from the dwp and telephone them. Then follow it up by a letter, giving the date on which you want them to stop paying you. (They will probably lose this letter, so keep a copy - they'll ask for it out of the blue 10 months later.)

Also, you will have to re-submit a claim for your £200 winter heating payment, it will no longer be paid to you automatically and of course they don't tell you this, so you're in danger of losing it.

CIS

You shouldnt need to re-claim for winter Fuel -omnce your account is on PSCS (State Pension computer system), the account is held indefiinetly and should be picked up automtically in the Winter Fuel scan they run each year.

chesky369

Absolutely not! In fact, after having to re-claim this year, I still haven't received it and was told only yesterday (my fifth phone conversation with the d.w.p.) that the reason is that their computer can only pay me if I start having the pension again - as I don't want this, the 'payment has to be a one-off, hand done' (I quote). It also for some reason unknown, has to be paid via Cardiff instead of Leicester.

Don't ask....... but don't try to tell me it's automatic. It ain't.

mrbnewc

Chesky

You're absolutely right. The fact that you're not in receipt of a qualifying benefit i.e. State Pension, means that you will not receive the payment automatically. You would need to claim it once only via Cardiff (they normally deal with those not in receipt of a qualifying benefit). After you have made the claim via Cardiff, there is no need to claim again as it will be paid automatically in subsequent years.

Hope this helps and hope you get your payment soon.

MrB