Getting state pension in Russia

Hoolibooli

Well this is a challenge for everyone, I have a good friend who met and married a Russian lady, subsequently moving to Rostov-on-Don in 2019. Well you know what happens next and in 2023 he finds himself aged 66 trying to get his state pension. He has emailed the correct overseas dept at the DWP and sent the online forms, he has heard absolutely nothing after 3 months, he has found a Russian Bank that can still do business with the outside world.

Can anyone give any tips, tricks or otherwise to help him get what is rightfully his, all replies gratefully appreciated.

nigelbb

I don't know the answer but I imagine that sanctions will prevent to the UK government paying his pension into a Russian bank.

xylophone

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-russia#:~:text=British nationals who are permanent,Russia) to check your eligibility.

squirrelpie

I think the OP was looking for helpful advice for a friend who has been caught up by global events that likely have nothing to do with him or his wife. Jokes are understandable but not really helpful. Xylophone's link is all I managed to find too, and that just says to contact the people the OP's friend has already contacted.

Maybe it's worth trying to phone them? If that doesn't work then I suppose the usual advice is to contact an MP (maybe the OP's?).

Flugelhorn

I doubt the government will pay into a Russian bank - honestly don't know the answer unless he still has a bank account in the UK and can pay into that 

pinnks

I think they will pay into Wise or Revolut but whether that would ultimately help is moot.

Hoolibooli

Thanks all for their replies, even the stupid ones. 
Yes he was caught up in events, pre COVID and the Ukraine war a new life with his Russian bride seemed a lot better than poverty alone in a rented Croydon flat, Rostov is very westernised and his state pension in Russia at that time would have gone far further than it would in the UK. Now of course it is a bit of a nightmare, let's hope the war ends soon, people in Ukraine are far worse off.
Thanks again.

squirrelpie

FWIW, I just found https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1144451/Russia_Guidance_March_2023.pdf which may contain some useful information. I'm afraid I haven't read it but it may provide some help. FAQ 9 on p11 looks encouraging.

LHW99

pinnks said:

I think they will pay into Wise or Revolut but whether that would ultimately help is moot.

Not sure about Revolut

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-12105729/Revolut-faces-new-legal-battle-600-000-fraud.html

squirrelpie

LHW99 said:

pinnks said:

I think they will pay into Wise or Revolut but whether that would ultimately help is moot.

Not sure about Revolut

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-12105729/Revolut-faces-new-legal-battle-600-000-fraud.html

Not sure how much trust to put in that article since it starts off by saying "... legal action against the UK bank ..." and then goes on to admit that it is NOT a bank as there is a query over whether to give it a licence.

LHW99

squirrelpie said:

LHW99 said:

pinnks said:

I think they will pay into Wise or Revolut but whether that would ultimately help is moot.

Not sure about Revolut

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-12105729/Revolut-faces-new-legal-battle-600-000-fraud.html

Not sure how much trust to put in that article since it starts off by saying "... legal action against the UK bank ..." and then goes on to admit that it is NOT a bank as there is a query over whether to give it a licence.

It appears to have a lithuanian banking licence though (not sure if that's a plus point)

https://fintechbaltic.com/533/fintechlithuania/revolut-eu-banking-license-lithuania/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolut