Retirement with no assets

jem16

margaretclare wrote: »

Hi

Remember that Child Benefit doesn't stop at age 16 if the said child continues in full-time education.

My daughter is still getting it for her youngest, who will be 20 at the end of this year. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Moneyandworkentitlements/YourMoney/DG_10016699

HTH

Margaret

Unfortunately it doesn't include university education.

margaretclare

jem16 wrote: »

Unfortunately it doesn't include university education.

No, it doesn't. And it will end for my GD on her 20th birthday which is end of next month.

Margaret

Savvy_Sue

Also don't forget that if the 16 yo goes on to do A levels or similar then they (the child) can apply for EMA, which on those income levels would probably mean £30 per week!

margaretclare

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Also don't forget that if the 16 yo goes on to do A levels or similar then they (the child) can apply for EMA, which on those income levels would probably mean £30 per week!

Oh yes, Sue - worth remembering. GD couldn't get this because both parents work so their family income is too high - but for someone retiring with no assets, it would apply.

Margaret

bryanb

Also worth remembering that if his wife is below pension age and has no income from any source Adult dependent allowance will be added to the basic state pension. This will only happen if he insists on filling in the application form, sending her birth cert. plus marriage cert. And after all this pointing out to pension service that the allowance is based on wife's income only. I did this and receive around £52 per week extra with my state pension. The pension "adviser" who dealt with my claim thanked me for pointing out that I was entitled to this payment as she was unaware of it. Good luck - you have to insist!

chesky369

why don't you pop around to your local citizens' advice bureau? they will be able to help you by not only telling you what you're entitled to, but with filling in the forms, writing letters, etc.

Mike_by_the_Sea

Also see if you have any senior forums or clubs in your area - they often hold exhibitions where local service representatives can give you advice on all sorts of benefits - I did it with my mum recently and she has been given loads of very useful advice on what she should be claiming for and how to go about it - even help with filling the forms in - fantastic.

PasturesNew

Biggles wrote: »

That's slightly worrying. There were no forms to sign for SERPS, the only time you had to sign anything was to opt out of it, which would usually be if you had an occupational or private pension instead.

Yes, bloke from the Pru.
Signed me up for a small private pension and opted out of serps
About 1989/91 ish
Job finished not long after so had to stop paying in, so the private pension was frozen. To start again I'd have had to pay every missed payment before they froze it, couldn't do that.
So that was my one attempt at a private pension.
Never understood them or serps.... and I bet I am like 98% of your average person in the street too in not having a clue

phoebe03cat

I was misold a private pension and contacted the FSA as I would have been better to have stayed in my occupational pension. Followed the procedure and was reinstated as if I had never left. The FSA made up the missing payments. If this is a case of miselling or you need advice the FSA Financial Services Authority helpdesk is just brilliant. They help you every step of the way.