Conundrum

FEDUPWITHTHESYSTEM

Here's a conundrum which maybe the benefit bashers can solve!

I am female, 60 and on ESA, it is unlikely i will be fit enough to work before i retire in 2 years. I have worked all my adult life and now have a number of private pensions which I wish to cash in. One of them is under £18,000 which means I can cash in the whole amount, which will take me off benefits until I retire.

The problem? To cash them in I need a photo driving licence or a passport. The only passport I have expired 20 years ago and it is in a different name. My driving licence is in my current name but an older address. I contacted the local DVLA who told me I could easily get a new one by sending my passport details with my application. I explained I did not have a passport but could supply proof of my identity from the DWP. I did this but Swansea have sent it back saying my DWP evidence is no good. I have to supply a marriage, divorce or birth certificate in my current name.

I do not have a marriage certificate in my current name. I changed it years ago to my then partners name by statutory declaration. I told the DVLA, HMRC, DWP, employer plus Uncle Tom Cobley and all and not a single one of them had a problem with it.

I contacted the pension administrator again and they said they might accept a letter from DWP as long as my date of birth is on it. DobS are not on these documents, only NIS number. I contacted the DWP and asked if they could write to me with my NIS number and Dob, but I hit a blank wall.

So, any ideas?

I,ve tried everything and I really want to get off benefits if I can

Sorry for long post, I don't believe I can be the only person in the country with this problem:A:A:A

baza52

just get a new passport

cte1111

Think you should try to get your driving license sorted anyhow, as it should have your current address on it. Just to be clear - it has the right name but the wrong address, however they are now asking for proof of your name?

It might be worth using one of the online companies that do 'deed poll' name changes. In theory, it should be fine to do it yourself (as you did), but in practice, it is easier if you have some kind of official looking form.

NB do you want to keep your ex partner' name? If not, then I'd be tempted to do a deed poll to whatever name you want to keep, then change your driving license etc to the chosen name.

Here's a link to what DVLA say they will accept for a name change:
https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-application-identity-documents

iluvmarmite

A birth certificate would not be in your current name anyway unless you remain single, why can't you send them yours?

McKneff

You cant cash in lump sums on any individual pension.

The triviality amount is around £18k but this is with all your pensions added together.

McKneff

All you can do is take 25% lump sums from each individual pension and then start an annuity with the other 75%.

You might be better seeing an IFA to get the best return from them. They are experts at it and have access to a lot more pension companies than we do.

Pensions are also enhanced for ill health, or if you smoke etc.

[Deleted User]

OP my understanding is that you can only take the whole amount if all your pension funds add up to less than 18k(not just one),as above you need to get proper advice(and/or post on the mse pension forum)

dundeediva

Hi

I dont know about pension amount etc but regarding the DVLA. I changed my address with them last year, all I had to do is send the old one back with a form i picked up at the post office, nothing else was needed as they already have my details. Its not as if you are re-applying for one, just a change of address. Ask your post office for a form, simple

Ellejmorgan

can a change of name deed be done, mine cost £80 at the solicitors and took 30 mins solved my name problems after divorce..

xylophone

One of them is under £18,000 which means I can cash in the whole amount, which will take me off benefits until I retire.

No - see http://www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk/workplace-pension-schemes/final-salary-schemes/cashing-in-pensions-(triviality)

FEDUPWITHTHESYSTEM

Thanks for all the replies, some very helpful, some not so!

To answer some of them:

I can't get a passport without a detailed audit trail of my name changes and as I won't be travelling abroad for health reasons this is a very expensive document

The DVLA will not change my address without all this paperwork, as well as talking to Swansea, I also talked to my local DVLA and they confirmed this. I did fill out a form sent it off with everything they wanted but they weren't happy. According to their website, if I received a state pension then a letter from the DWP would be sufficient evidence but as I am still working age then it won't.

I have now investigated the deed poll route, this wills be the best solution, thanks to those for suggesting it.

I am aware of all the pension rules, I probably didn't explain my situation clearly. I have taken lots of advice, some of it from MSE