Claiming pension/sending certificates

TomsMom

Not sure if this should be on the Pensions board, if so please move.

I have received the form to claim my state pension. It requires originals of birth and marriage certificates to be sent. A freepost envelope was enclosed.

I don't like the idea of sending the originals but there is no alternative. I know I can send them registered post but does anyone know if they are returned via ordinary mail or are they returned registered post?

EdInvestor

You can apply for the state pension over the phone without sending in certificates.

TomsMom

I did speak to them on the phone and they've sent the forms out. Wouldn't they have told me if it wasn't necessary and that I could do it over the phone

The DWP website states If you have been insured in the UK, we will usually send you a claim form about four months before you reach UK State Pension age. The form will ask you if you want to claim a UK State Pension. It asks you to tell us about any insurance and residence you may have in other countries.

Does this have to be done with the "local office" - ours for N.Wales is Newcastle upon Tyne. Can it be done at what used to be the Job Centres, don't know what they're called now? If so I can drive to the nearest one to show my certificates.

sorted_2

Hi, I have just applied for my state pension over the phone, I was told that all the info I gave them was what they had on me. The only thing I have to send in is my divorce papers. I was never sent forms just a letter to tell me to apply

[Deleted User]

how long before retirement do you have to claim?

CIS

You can apply for the state pension over the phone without sending in certificates.

If they've already been seen and verified at a previous there is no need to send them again as the system should have been updated - they used to request them when you claimed over the phone, but IIRC it wasn't at initial application, it was only at processing time if they hadn't been verified already.

Does this have to be done with the "local office" - ours for N.Wales is Newcastle upon Tyne. Can it be done at what used to be the Job Centres, don't know what they're called now? If so I can drive to the nearest one to show my certificates.

Your local office will be Tyneview Park, quite a drive from Wales (unless you fancy a day out ). Technically You can get the certs verified and forwarded on from any job centre - although all too often they are very good at giving a blank expression when asked.

TomsMom

CIS wrote: »

If they've already been seen and verified at a previous there is no need to send them again as the system should have been updated - they used to request them when you claimed over the phone, but IIRC it wasn't at initial application, it was only at processing time if they hadn't been verified already.



Your local office will be Tyneview Park, quite a drive from Wales (unless you fancy a day out ). Technically You can get the certs verified and forwarded on from any job centre - although all too often they are very good at giving a blank expression when asked.

The certificates have not been seen before. However, I am on Incapacity Benefit and have been for some time. I was told that upon reaching 60 they will no longer pay IB but I will have to go over to State Pension, that is why I'm surprised they want the certificates - they already have dealings with me, have all my bank details, etc., so I don't exactly need identifying or verifying I would have thought

I think it's worth another phone call!

TomsMom

kittie wrote: »

how long before retirement do you have to claim?

Approx 3 months. But it isn't crucial. You can apply after your birthday and it will be backdated from what I understand. I just want to get the ball rolling on mine as I will be away for quite some time during the winter (including my birthday).

A_Nice_Englishman

Assuming you were born and got married in England or Wales you can get official copies of birth and marriage certificates which I assume would be acceptable

http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/

CIS

The certificates have not been seen before. However, I am on Incapacity Benefit and have been for some time. I was told that upon reaching 60 they will no longer pay IB but I will have to go over to State Pension, that is why I'm surprised they want the certificates - they already have dealings with me, have all my bank details, etc., so I don't exactly need identifying or verifying I would have thought

The marriage cert is to verify you are married so that the appropriate pension can be paid - you may get more as a married person or if you needed to claim a pension as being divorced or widowed.

A_Nice_Englishman

CIS wrote: »

The marriage cert is to verify you are married so that the appropriate pension can be paid - you may get more as a married person or if you needed to claim a pension as being divorced or widowed.

.. and to prove who you are. A married woman would have been born "Miss Smith " but claiming her pension as "Mrs Brown"