Applying for state pension over the phone - advice

awaw76

xylophone said:

But then where is the privacy?

Under the circumstances, it might be best for you to telephone in your wife's presence, explain the situation, and ask her to give permission for you to speak on her behalf.

When you telephone, be sure to have her NI number and date of birth  to hand (particularly in view of 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/77429272/#Comment_77429272)

and your own NI number, date of birth and date of marriage.

This would at least be a start - if nothing else, you should be advised how your wife should proceed.

You have been very helpful. I do appreciate your help.
I am going to gather all the documents they might ask for and then sit down with my wife and call on her behalf. 

xylophone

I hope things will go smoothly - do keep us updated as hearing about your experience might help others.

xylophone

And do have a look at the guidance here https://www.litrg.org.uk/tax-guides/pensioners/what-state-pension-deferral
under

What will I get when I claim my deferred state pension?

If you reached state pension age before 6 April 2016

awaw76

xylophone said:

I hope things will go smoothly - do keep us updated as hearing about your experience might help others.

I called and explained I had downloaded the form and explained the situation. The lady then asked my wife her name, dob, address, nat ins no and then to confirm that I could talk on her behalf.
She then said I cannot take the application over the phone as I should just post it through. We don't take basic state applications over the phone. 
I am sure I said can I provide the details over the phone but she said it needs to be posted in.
I confirmed they already had confirmed proof of my ID, wife and date of marriage - so not sure why they couldn't do it over the phone unless I confused her.
The lady was kind and attentive.

calcotti

awaw76 said:

xylophone said:

I hope things will go smoothly - do keep us updated as hearing about your experience might help others.

I called and explained I had downloaded the form and explained the situation. The lady then asked my wife her name, dob, address, nat ins no and then to confirm that I could talk on her behalf.
She then said I cannot take the application over the phone as I should just post it through. We don't take basic state applications over the phone. 
I am sure I said can I provide the details over the phone but she said it needs to be posted in.
I confirmed they already had confirmed proof of my ID, wife and date of marriage - so not sure why they couldn't do it over the phone unless I confused her.
The lady was kind and attentive.

Doesn't make sense does it  
See https://www.gov.uk/state-pension/how-to-claim

There are 3 ways to claim the basic State Pension:

• over the phone

• download the State Pension claim form and send it to your local pension centre

• claim from abroad including the Channel Islands

State Pension claim line
Telephone: 0800 731 7898

It's not a claim line if they don't take claims!

Two options:

1) You post the form, or

2) You ring again and see if a different operator will take the claim

awaw76

calcotti said:

awaw76 said:

xylophone said:

I hope things will go smoothly - do keep us updated as hearing about your experience might help others.

I called and explained I had downloaded the form and explained the situation. The lady then asked my wife her name, dob, address, nat ins no and then to confirm that I could talk on her behalf.
She then said I cannot take the application over the phone as I should just post it through. We don't take basic state applications over the phone. 
I am sure I said can I provide the details over the phone but she said it needs to be posted in.
I confirmed they already had confirmed proof of my ID, wife and date of marriage - so not sure why they couldn't do it over the phone unless I confused her.
The lady was kind and attentive.

Doesn't make sense does it  

There are 3 ways to claim the basic State Pension:

• over the phone

• 
  

State Pension claim line
Telephone: 0800 731 7898

It's not a claim line if they don't take claims!

Two options:

1) You post the form, or

2) You ring again and see if a different operator will take the claim

I am going to ring again tomorrow just to confirm that what I was told is correct.
I was waiting for 45 mins.
Just to add that the website states the lines close at 3.30pm when theyt actually close at 2.30pm.

anmarj

did you press option 1 when you called that number? Your response sounds like you pressed 2 and that puts you through to changes. 

awaw76

anmarj said:

did you press option 1 when you called that number? Your response sounds like you pressed 2 and that puts you through to changes. 

Even if I pressed the wrong option - wouldn't the person on the other end have an idea that I may have made a mistake.
I will call back tomorrow and provide an update - it makes no sense to encourage people to apply by phone only to tell them to download the application and post it in.

anmarj

The person who took the call wouldn’t know which number you called, so therefore wouldn’t know that the wrong option had been pressed, unless they mentioned the number to call and which option to press. The second option takes people through to the main change of circumstances, and not to a separate part of new claims. When you call tomorrow, press one 😊

awaw76

I called up again and as my wife has had a deferral of her Pension over an extended period they cannot take the application over the phone. 
At least I do not have to send in my marriage certificate as they have that evidence confirmed on file.