State Pension leaflet

teddysmum

My husband and I have received the notification letters for pension 'benefits' from April and I have read through the new leaflet included (BR2189 02/16).


The leaflet is specifically for State Pension, so I am puzzled by the list of changes that they require reported.


Some are obvious, like change of address and death,but others I did not think applied to State Pension, though they obviously do apply for means tested benefits:


If you go into or come out of hospital
If you divorce or separate from a spouse (This could be connected with inheritance of deceased spouses' second pension, though)
If there is a change in earnings, other income, capital or savings (for you, spouse of civil partner)
If there is a change in the occupational or personal pension of a spouse or civil partner




I'm wondering whether this was copied wholesale from a previous leaflet that covered various state benefits.

greenglide

Some (like entering and leaving hospital) are from the old days when the State Pension was reduced to "comforts level" after a certain length of time in hospital which doesnt apply now.

It is mostly so that they found out things which will impact other benefits, especially pensions credit. This is impacted by self and partners details.

Somebody who has actually read the leaflet! Amazing - there arent many!

teddysmum

The quite brief leaflet (that's why I read it) is very badly written (as recently as February this year) and being just for State Pension, does imply that you need to report these things which have no impact on the State Pension, as opposed to other benefits, and gives dire warning about not complying.


This will really worry some people, if they believe they have to report every change in income/savings and will be prosecuted should they forget. It should make it clear that you only need to inform them of these things, if you have other benefits (not that the State Pension is one).