Concern Over State Pension For My Dad..

gabby71

Hiya

My dad is nearly 60.
He has never paid into a private pension and for about 15 years was self employed.
My Parents moved abroad 6 years ago but things didn't work out financially and they also separated (I think a lot of it was due to money pressures).
My Mum move3d back to the UK, found a full time job and now has a local authority flat.
My Dad moved back a few months later - he has not been able to find work and refuses to sign on.
My question is - if he is not working and not signing on, I guess there is no trace of him in this country and am worrying that this could affect his state pension amount.
I can't speak to him about it as he flies off the handle!
He is living with my Mum as he has no money and nowhere to go, so Mum is supporting both of them, I just feel sorry for her, and am worried about their future - unfortunately I am not in a position to help them out as I struggle as a single parent although I work full time.
Any advice would be really helpful - I am under the impression that the less you pay in over your working life, the less you get as state pension - is this correct?

thanks in advance

Gab

atush

He can get a State pension forcast, you can get him the forms. But he has to sign them.

To be getting further years, he needs to sign on. If he won't, he'll live poor. And possibly be homeless if your mum chucks him out as they are supposed to have seperated.

I have heard of a lot of people retiring abroad to places like Spand and France and running out of money and coming back home penniless.

gabby71

Hiya

Thanks - just as I thought..

Yes, they sold their house, went abroad, bought 2 properties off plan then the builder ran out of money so they are standing half built - not good at all...

thanks again for the advice.

Gab.

atush

What did they need 2 for? At least they could have come home with half their dosh.

So sad to see people move abroad w/o a clue and w/o enough finance behind them. Always leave enough for an escape strategy.

sleepless_saver

He needs 30 years NI contributions to get a full state pension. If he signs on then he will get NI contributions made. But it sounds to me like he won't do anything to sort his finances while your mum is prepared to support him.

Assuming that he has been here long enough to meet the habitual residence test, then he could probably get enough in benefits to live independently.

When he reaches state pension age he will need to claim his pension like everyone else, they won't go hunting for him. All he needs for that is his national insurance number.

CLAPTON

if he has worked most of his life then he is likely to have 30 years of NI contributions
in any event he will be credited with those from womens retirement age to 65 in addition
but he needs to get a state pension forecast (google it , you can do it online)


mad not to sign on however

gabby71

thanks for all the advice.
yes he has worked since he was 17, and for at least 15 years earned good money so I guess must have paid a lot in NI contributions!
it seems as though he may be having some sort of breakdown - he refuses to discuss signing on - I think pride has a lot to do with it, but you are right - if my Mum decided that she didn't want him there he would be screwed..
it's so sad to see them in this situation - they both worked so hard all their lives, made a huge financial committment then the credit crunch hit...
atush - to answer your question - they bought 2 - one for themselves and one for myself and my child - they thought they were going to make life easier for me...

atush

It is pride and most importantly Depression.


It is an illness (not a weakness as it is caused mostly by brain chemicals) and needs to be treated.

I am afraid you and mom need to stage an Intervention. Very american I know, but you have to get him to a doc for the treatment and to get him to sign on.

Once he has treatment he will climb out.

He built up all his savings over his whole life and lost the lot. It will be hugely debilitating for him to be poor and homeless as he will think it is his fault. And will be suffeing a complete self esteem breakdown. A man's stature in society and his self worth is hugely tied to this so his current state is completely expected.

I feel a conference with your Mum is needed ASAP. I know she still has feelings as she took him in. If they are permanent or not is neither here nor there. What is hopeful is that she will want him on his own two feet either in her house or not. So she needs to help you lead the intervention.