Cope

Richard220156

Hi all, I am at that stage of life where I decided to check my state pension (61 yo).
I find that I will get a full state pension as I have contributed 40+ yrs NI .
I Have also seen that I will get a pension of £25.58 per week from a COPE
Now my problem is that I do not have a clue where this came from and would appreciate any advise on how to find out
Many thanks

dunstonh

I Have also seen that I will get a pension of £25.58 per week from a COPE

COPE is not a pension.

it is a theoretical figure that your state pension has (potentially) been reduced by because of periods of contracting out.

You should have pension that was contracted out.

Richard220156

Hi dunstonh
I understand what you are saying . It seems I have a contracted out pension equivalent, but I don't know where it is from , any idea how I can find this out . I have had literally 10s of jobs over the years
Thanks for the reply

dunstonh

but I don't know where it is from , any idea how I can find this out .

I believe the online forecast tells you the years you were contracted out. That may help identify it.

If you had a final salary scheme, it would likely be that. Many occupational pensions were contracted out. If it was a personal pension, then you are talking more recently as you could only contract out from 1987 (88 but there was a pre-Royal Assent period).

greenglide

Use the pension tracing service here https://www.gov.uk/find-pension-contact-details Do not be tricked by the other sites which want to charge you money.

You will need to know who you have worked for.

If you don't the HMRC contracted out help line should be able to help.

xylophone

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/state-pension-fact-sheets/contracting-out-and-why-we-may-have-included-a-contracted-out-pension-equivalent-cope-amount-when-you-used-the-online-service


Trace old pension? Try

https://www.gov.uk/find-pension-contact-details

Mnd

When we had to track down a forgotten pension, we phoned the government state pension office, really helped and told us when my wife was contracted out, and she gave us another number to call who gave us the details of the fund. It was well worth it, my wife's fund was in excess of £50k