UK Citizen claiming pension from Sweden - fit for work question? 11 February at 8:12PM in Pensions, annuities & retirement planning 4 replies 325 views

montymouse

I am a UK citizen living in the UK and coming up to retirement age at which I can claim my State Pension. However, I did work for around 18 months in Sweden back in the eighties. It sounds like a short length of time, but it was low paid English teaching work at one of the main study organisations of Sweden, and most of the English teachers stayed only a couple of years or less. At that time we were reminded by our union rep to remember to claim our Swedish pension when we reached retirement age. Well, when I filled in the form to claim State Pension I was asked about work abroad and I put Sweden down on the form. The DWP then sent me out a further form to fill in to get my Swedish pension. Now what has me puzzled about this form is that there is one question that asks, "Are you unfit for work?". I am wondering what the significance of this question is. I am generally fit, but have had a few health problems recently that, hopefully, are being sorted out. I'm expecting to be back in good health soon, in fact I almost am now. I'm not really expecting to do another full time job, but do have my eye on science and technology related project work that might interest me.

Just wondering if anyone might have any ideas about why they are even asking this question, and what impact the answer might have on any pension I will get from Sweden.

Marcon

montymouse said:

I am a UK citizen living in the UK and coming up to retirement age at which I can claim my State Pension. However, I did work for around 18 months in Sweden back in the eighties. It sounds like a short length of time, but it was low paid English teaching work at one of the main study organisations of Sweden, and most of the English teachers stayed only a couple of years or less. At that time we were reminded by our union rep to remember to claim our Swedish pension when we reached retirement age. Well, when I filled in the form to claim State Pension I was asked about work abroad and I put Sweden down on the form. The DWP then sent me out a further form to fill in to get my Swedish pension. Now what has me puzzled about this form is that there is one question that asks, "Are you unfit for work?". I am wondering what the significance of this question is. I am generally fit, but have had a few health problems recently that, hopefully, are being sorted out. I'm expecting to be back in good health soon, in fact I almost am now. I'm not really expecting to do another full time job, but do have my eye on science and technology related project work that might interest me.

Just wondering if anyone might have any ideas about why they are even asking this question, and what impact the answer might have on any pension I will get from Sweden.

If you thought the UK state pension system was complicated, have a look at Sweden's! See https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1130&langId=en&intPageId=4814

Given how short a time you worked in Sweden, and the fact you were on low pay, I suspect it doesn't matter much whether you answer yes or no - but as the correct answer is surely 'no' (since you're expecting to work again), then that's what you need to answer.

shortseller09

...and don't get your expectations up, I reckon maybe enough for a cup of coffee a week.

montymouse

Marcon said:

If you thought the UK state pension system was complicated, have a look at Sweden's! See https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1130&langId=en&intPageId=4814

Given how short a time you worked in Sweden, and the fact you were on low pay, I suspect it doesn't matter much whether you answer yes or no - but as the correct answer is surely 'no' (since you're expecting to work again), then that's what you need to answer.

Thanks for the advice, Marcon, and also for the interesting link. I have indeed answered no to the question. Just baffled as to why they ask it at all.

montymouse

shortseller09 said:

...and don't get your expectations up, I reckon maybe enough for a cup of coffee a week.

Ha ha, I expect you are right! But even if that's what it is, I'll claim it.

Have to admit, I'm very curious as to what I will get.

It was the low pay that didn't keep anyone there for very long. People went for the "experience", rather than the long term prospects. In fact the job offered no long term prospects. I packed it in to go and do a PGCE back in London. Have very fond memories of Stockholm though.