Alternative way to request pension forecast (other than by phone)

bradda

Hi,

I'm having no luck contacting the 0800 731 0175 line to request a pension forecast. Every option ends with the line hanging up without even a queue. I can't use the online service as there are a couple of years of overseas work in my record and the system can't handle that. The future pensions online form says it can't be used to request forecasts.

The only way I've been able to make contact with someone is by calling the above number and going through the Welsh language options. That way someone immediately answers but they "can only help Welsh speakers" even though clearly the Welsh line is empty and staffed by English speakers and the English line is totally broken. Seems a bit wrong to me but anyway…

Does anyone know of an alternative way to make contact with a person about this so that I can ensure my pensions record is in good shape before the April 5th deadline (when the option to back-date contributions narrows considerably)?

Thanks

molerat

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-a-state-pension-statement

I can't use the online service as there are a couple of years of overseas work in my record and the system can't handle that

A bit confused by this. What are you trying to achieve ? A pension forecast will be exactly the same whichever avenue you choose to get it. Do you have access to your on line tax account ?

bradda

I'm trying to make sure there are no contributions gaps such that I will receive the full pension entitlement. Having spoken to the NI contributions team, they advised obtaining a pension forecast and contacting the Future Pensions Centre to ensure that there is no shortfall. I can access the online tax account no problem, but I can't obtain the pension forecast — it tells me to get in touch with someone because there are some years where pensions contributions were made overseas. I can't seem to get in touch with anyone.

Maybe it just has to be done by post but that's going to be an extremely long conversation

molerat

Very strange that you cannot get any sort of forecast on line.  Unfortunately, spurred on by ML's TV broadcast, a sizeable chunk of the UK population are in panic mode due to the April deadline and contacting FPC.  Have you tried contacting them just before opening time ?

Marcon

bradda said:

I'm trying to make sure there are no contributions gaps such that I will receive the full pension entitlement. Having spoken to the NI contributions team, they advised obtaining a pension forecast and contacting the Future Pensions Centre to ensure that there is no shortfall. I can access the online tax account no problem, but I can't obtain the pension forecast — it tells me to get in touch with someone because there are some years where pensions contributions were made overseas. I can't seem to get in touch with anyone.

Maybe it just has to be done by post but that's going to be an extremely long conversation

With even luck it might be a simple exchange of letters - but getting on and sending yours now would be no bad idea, to maximise the chances of a reply before April! There's no guarantee that even if you do get through to someone on the phone they'll actually be able to help; you might simply be advised to 'put your query in writing'.

eskbanker

bradda said:

I'm trying to make sure there are no contributions gaps such that I will receive the full pension entitlement. Having spoken to the NI contributions team, they advised obtaining a pension forecast and contacting the Future Pensions Centre to ensure that there is no shortfall. I can access the online tax account no problem, but I can't obtain the pension forecast — it tells me to get in touch with someone because there are some years where pensions contributions were made overseas. I can't seem to get in touch with anyone.

There was some discussion in another recent thread about the fact that (for those who've already exceeded the ten NI years required to qualify for a UK state pension at all) foreign contributions don't affect the value of that UK SP entitlement, so it doesn't make any sense for the usual online NI history and pension forecast forms to reject a request on the basis that there were some contributions that don't actually make any difference?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/79756478/#Comment_79756478

xylophone

Try IPC?

https://www.gov.uk/international-pension-centre

Flugelhorn

we filled in a form and sent that off - took about 2 weeks to come back https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1056845/br19-interactive-application-for-a-state-pension-statement.pdf