state pension application query for an immigrant

Brie

OK so trying to apply for my SP.  Got the paperwork, got my code, know I'm supposed to be getting the full whack.  

When applying it asks if I have live and worked outside the UK since the tax year when I turned 16.  Yes is the answer and on and off.  So what years do I put down?  When I first started working at 16?  Until I went to uni??  So first summer job only?  As the site only allows 1 time period.  I could pick several other periods too.  So which is it!

Marcon

Brie said:

OK so trying to apply for my SP.  Got the paperwork, got my code, know I'm supposed to be getting the full whack.  

When applying it asks if I have live and worked outside the UK since the tax year when I turned 16.  Yes is the answer and on and off.  So what years do I put down?  When I first started working at 16?  Until I went to uni??  So first summer job only?  As the site only allows 1 time period.  I could pick several other periods too.  So which is it!

If you don't get a conclusive answer here, try an online enquiry https://secure.dwp.gov.uk/ipc/personal-details (means you don't have to keep hanging on the phone!).

Slinky

IIRC you get NI credits from 16-18 anyway whether you were working or not, so I doubt they'll be interested in a summer job aged 16

Brie

Slinky said:

IIRC you get NI credits from 16-18 anyway whether you were working or not, so I doubt they'll be interested in a summer job aged 16

but I wouldn't get NI credits if I wasn't living in the country at the time would I?

molerat

Brie said:

Slinky said:

IIRC you get NI credits from 16-18 anyway whether you were working or not, so I doubt they'll be interested in a summer job aged 16

but I wouldn't get NI credits if I wasn't living in the country at the time would I?

Yes you would.  It was too difficult to sort out who was actually entitled so it is a blanket application.

Bostonerimus1

They ask about working abroad to see how that might interact with your UK pension and they’ll also probably advise you that you might be eligible for a pension from another country. In similar cases where the forms have not been sophisticated enough for my situation I have answer “various” and then written the years in the margin or in the box for extra information if one is provided.

p00hsticks

Bostonerimus1 said:

They ask about working abroad to see how that might interact with your UK pension and they’ll also probably advise you that you might be eligible for a pension from another country. In similar cases where the forms have not been sophisticated enough for my situation I have answer “various” and then written the years in the margin or in the box for extra information if one is provided.

Yes, if there are that many periods I'd lay it all out on a separate piece of paper and put 'see attached' wher it asks the question - and include your name and NI number on the sheet in case it get's separated. 

Brie

p00hsticks said:

Bostonerimus1 said:

They ask about working abroad to see how that might interact with your UK pension and they’ll also probably advise you that you might be eligible for a pension from another country. In similar cases where the forms have not been sophisticated enough for my situation I have answer “various” and then written the years in the margin or in the box for extra information if one is provided.

Yes, if there are that many periods I'd lay it all out on a separate piece of paper and put 'see attached' wher it asks the question - and include your name and NI number on the sheet in case it get's separated. 

I suppose the first period between 16 and when I first came to the UK might be sufficient.  Payment is already in place for there in any case as they still pay from 65.  I'll give it another go!!!

Brie

Well I've applied and just stated I lived outside the UK from 1973 to 1985 and worked outside the UK from 1974 (first summer job) to 1985 without any details about when I was at school instead of working as quite frankly I can't remember in full detail. I worked summers when in high school and uni plus worked some part time jobs when at uni.  I was unemployed at times looking for work or travelling.   I figure it's better to imply more work rather than less and will wait to hear what they say about it all.  

Brie

fyi - having applied for my SP on Monday afternoon I was surprised to get home yesterday to find a letter confirming the amount I will be receiving.  The speed of this might be due, in part, to the fact that I've got the full amount based on last year's earnings so this year is irrelevant.