Old Post Office Pension

Coldhouse

I worked for Post Office Headquarters long before they split into different companies, 7 years employment 1981-1988 when I was automatically enrolled in pension scheme. I have tried tracing it through Royal Mail Pensions and they have no record, even with my DOB and NI. They say there is nothing else they can do. Is this right?

BobQ

Coldhouse wrote: »

I worked for Post Office Headquarters long before they split into different companies, 7 years employment 1981-1988 when I was automatically enrolled in pension scheme. I have tried tracing it through Royal Mail Pensions and they have no record, even with my DOB and NI. They say there is nothing else they can do. Is this right?

Well mistakes do happen.

Are you sure that you did not transfer it to another pension?

Did you move to another public sector job? If so you might have transferred it to that?

Do you have any evidence of the pension? Old payslips, benefits statement, etc.

Was it a Royal Mail Pension (or could it have been a Civil Service Pension)?

What was your job? Could it have been transferred to the BT Pension Scheme ? BT was split off from the Post Office in that period.

Failing that try https://www.gov.uk/find-lost-pension

xylophone

If you were in a final salary scheme between 1981-1988, it is likely that you were contracted out and that there is a contracted out deduction record kept for State Pension purposes - you might look into your state pension statement?

https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-statement

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/210299/single-tier-valuation-contracting-out.pdf

Pollycat

I think you would have been in Section B of the Post Office Pension Scheme.
Not Civil Service as 'The Post Office' ceased being part of CS on 1/10/69.

Are you absolutely sure you were 'automatically enrolled' in the pension scheme.
I remember when it was automatic but I believe at some stage it was changed to allow employees to opt out.

Didn't you receive a letter about your deferred benefits when you left?
I appreciate that this was a long time ago.

No pay slips to prove your contributions?

BobQ

Pollycat wrote: »

I think you would have been in Section B of the Post Office Pension Scheme.
Not Civil Service as 'The Post Office' ceased being part of CS on 1/10/69.

?

Can you recall whether this applied to all of the Post Office? I know it applied to most services but did it apply to say Girobank or TV Licencing? That is why I asked what the OPs job was at that time.

Pollycat

That's a very good point, Bob.

I can't remember when Girobank & TVL separated from The Post Office.

I remember BT splitting off but not exactly when (although Wikipedia says 1981).

I think it strange that RM can't find any record of this pension so I think the suggestions in your post #2 are pretty valid.

Redsox1

I am in the same position as the op.

Employed by P.O from 1983 - 1988 when I became self employed.

I have only thought about this recently and was wondering what had happened to the deductions. I don't have any pay slips etc either. I will try through the 'find lost pension' link and see what happens!

Pollycat

Redsox1 wrote: »

I am in the same position as the op.

Employed by P.O from 1983 - 1988 when I became self employed.

I have only thought about this recently and was wondering what had happened to the deductions. I don't have any pay slips etc either. I will try through the 'find lost pension' link and see what happens!

As BobQ has already pointed out (post #2), it might matter which part of 'PO' you worked for.

Have you - like the OP - been in touch with RM Pensions and been told they have no record of you?

Redsox1

I worked for post office counters ltd.

The head office that I worked for is no longer there so I havn,t followed this up yet as I didn't know where to start.

I had looked around the internet for some pointers and this is the closest bit of info I have found.

Fishingtime

Maybe you could take a look at this site
They maybe able to help you

http://www.royalmailpensionplan.co.uk/102/contact-us

Redsox1

Thank you,

I've just emailed them !