Cannot get my pension due to no bank account

twofoot

I have a private pension which I cannot draw due to no bank account. I live in Spain and cannot get a Spanish account due to previous Spanish banking problems. Although I sometimes visit the UK I don't have a UK address so can't open a uk bank account. I am 100% British and will soon be entitled to a uk state pension because I have enough contributions. I'm told this will be the same, no bank account in my own name means no pension. They are all obsessed with money laundering. You might ask how I've managed up to now. I am married and we have always used her uk and Spanish accounts. If anyone has any ideas I'd like to hear them.

madgagoo

Open a uk account with Natwest, no problems for an overseas resident to do this as long as you have a good reason for needing one. A uk pension being paid is a good reason.

You need a passport plus 2 utility bills, all under your name with your current (Spanish) address on.

You will need to visit a branch to open an account.

mclaren32

madgagoo wrote: »

Open a uk account with Natwest, no problems for an overseas resident to do this as long as you have a good reason for needing one. A uk pension being paid is a good reason.

You need a passport plus 2 utility bills, all under your name with your current (Spanish) address on.

You will need to visit a branch to open an account.

This is definitely the case, Natwest should be able to help.

JacksterD

twofoot wrote: »

I have a private pension which I cannot draw due to no bank account. I live in Spain and cannot get a Spanish account due to previous Spanish banking problems. Although I sometimes visit the UK I don't have a UK address so can't open a uk bank account. I am 100% British and will soon be entitled to a uk state pension because I have enough contributions. I'm told this will be the same, no bank account in my own name means no pension. They are all obsessed with money laundering. You might ask how I've managed up to now. I am married and we have always used her uk and Spanish accounts. If anyone has any ideas I'd like to hear them.

State pensions can be paid into a Post Office Card Account - you can ask the DWP for more information.

twofoot

I've tried Natwest but they refused after pondering for a few days. Will check the post office and see what that is. Thanks for the replies, hopefully I will get somewhere, eventually.

twofoot

Post Office is a no goer due to they insist it is only for 'permanent uk residents'. This is crazy. I need an account with bacs and a card of some sort. I don't want any fancy add ons or overdraft, just a means of getting my pension. I am currently looking at N&P in Gibraltar which looks promising but am not holding my breath. Any more ideas will be welcome.

Yorkie1

Have you written to DWP asking them what they suggest in this situation?

Did NWest explain their reasons for refusing you?

Also, would you be eligible for a basic bank account here instead of a standard one?

laurel7172

Can you not get a savings account? Then you could transfer the money to your partner's UK account and onwards from there.

pmduk

twofoot wrote: »

I've tried Natwest but they refused after pondering for a few days. Will check the post office and see what that is. Thanks for the replies, hopefully I will get somewhere, eventually.

Which account did you apply for? You might find a Basic account easier to acquire. There is a list of basic bank accounts available here. Several can be opened online.

hate-banks

another solution would be to open a prepaid card account like "Cashplus Mastercard". It's only a few pounds for the card. A sort code and account number is linked to your card so you can just give that to your pension thing to get your money.

dzug1

JacksterD wrote: »

State pensions can be paid into a Post Office Card Account - you can ask the DWP for more information.

Given that their only use is to withdraw cash in the UK over the counter at a PO (and at a very few cash machines) not the slightest use to OP.