Is it possible to defer State Pension a second time?

Perdu

I've been reading so much lately that it's becoming a blur - but I'm fairly certain I read that SP can be deferred once by just not claiming it when first due, then claimed for a while, then deferred again one more time.

Spoke to DWP who categorically state this is not the case, and if I put off claiming then that counts as the "once in a lifetime" deferral and that's that.

I've looked again through all the www.gov.uk stuff and can't seem to find anything to confirm my thoughts.

Was I dreaming it - or if not could someone point me to a link please?

PlutoinCapricorn

You can defer passively by not claiming it, then claim for a while, then defer one more time, actively by requesting a deferral.

http://whichretirementguide.com/have-many-times-can-you-defer-state-pension.html

Alter_ego

Capricorn is right DWP are wrong (again)

Mojisola

They aren't changing the rules once the new pensions come in, are they?

JezR

This DWP leaflet indicates that you can defer, claim, then defer once more. It doesn't say so in so many word in a clear section of its own, but has a section on options at retirement age, and then later on a separate section about the option when already receiving state pension to stop it once.

greenglide

They aren't changing the rules once the new pensions come in, are they?

The rules about "how many" are not changing. The rate you get is changing, the inheritability is changing and the lump sum is no longer allowed - all for people with an SPa date on or after 6/4/2016.

You can and will continue to be able to defer your pension once and suspend your pension once. It makes no difference whether you "passively" defer by not contacting them or you ring them, find out how much it is and then state you want to defer.

DWP dont seem to understand that in "proper english" you can't really "defer" something you already get!

Alter_ego

Mojisola wrote: »

They aren't changing the rules once the new pensions come in, are they?

Yes, reducing the 10.4% to something around 5% for those with a state pension date after Apr 2016. Those with a date before still get 10.4 even if they defer after 2016

Alter_ego

greenglide wrote: »

DWP dont seem to understand that in "proper english" you can't really "defer" something you already get!

They called it de-retiring when I did it.

JezR

The leaflet I link to above calls it "stopping claiming" if you have already been in receipt of it.

Perdu

Thank you so much - boosting the SP is absolutely critical to my recently revised plans so I'm just trying to check every bit of a rather complicated strategy.

I've long been planning to "defer", but something's cropped up which means I may have to draw the thing for a short while, and I'd hate that to jeopardise the long-term plan.

So - I'm looking at deferring while I sort other stuff, then claiming for a while, then stopping claiming for a good few years if lucky.

I'll go and work on that, many thanks again to all.

jamesd

There is one change coming with the flat rate: it will start automatically without claiming it. So you'd need to say you don't want to claim it yet to prevent that from using one of your two opportunities.

Why not borrow to smooth out whatever the temporary situation is? Some nice 0% credit card deals around at the moment.