Applying for state pension

eastcorkram

A question for anybody who has done this , in the recent past. 

How much is involved with the application itself? It says I need ID, but if I'm applying online, do I have to photograph documents like a birth certificate or passport? 

When two countries are involved, I'm only supposed to apply to the one I'm living in (UK). I had a look at the Ireland application form, and it's very detailed. For example, it wants a full work history, including dates etc. Now, I've probably had a lot more jobs than some, and a lot less than others. In my case, since 16, including current job, which will be my last, I've had 7. 

I do know the dates, not exact, but certainly the months and years for all of those. I'd imagine some might struggle if they've had a lot more.

Does the UK application ask for that same information?

Also, if more than one country is involved, I've read you should apply six months before reaching SPA. How do you do that if the invitation doesn't come out until three months before? 

Also, if anyone on here has applied when two countries are involved, did the DWP just contact the other country, and then that place contacts me? So in effect , you do end up filling in both countries forms. 

Finally, does it all happen smoothly, and what would be likely to cause a delay? 

xylophone

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social-welfare/social-welfare-payments/older-and-retired-people/state-pension-contributory/#:~:text=You can get an application,reach the age of 66.

Have you applied for your Irish social insurance record?

 It seems you can't apply on line for the Irish SP so applying six months in advance should simply be a matter of downloading the form and posting it to the address supplied?

That said, the guidance here

https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension/living-and-working-overseas

states

Claiming another country’s state pension

Depending on where you’ve lived or worked, you may need to make more than one pension claim.

European Economic Area (EEA) countries, Gibraltar and Switzerland

You only need to claim your state pension in the last country where you lived or worked. Your claim will cover all EEA countries, Gibraltar and Switzerland. You do not need to claim for each country separately.

Why not ring  the DSP in Ireland to check on your position?

itsthelittlethings

Claiming the UK pension should be fairly easy, I've done it with someone over the phone in the past. I don't remember them having to give ID but I think they were already claiming UC or ESA. It took about 20 minutes.

eastcorkram

xylophone said:

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social-welfare/social-welfare-payments/older-and-retired-people/state-pension-contributory/#:~:text=You can get an application,reach the age of 66.

Have you applied for your Irish social insurance record?

 It seems you can't apply on line for the Irish SP so applying six months in advance should simply be a matter of downloading the form and posting it to the address supplied?

That said, the guidance here

https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension/living-and-working-overseas

states

Claiming another country’s state pension

Depending on where you’ve lived or worked, you may need to make more than one pension claim.

European Economic Area (EEA) countries, Gibraltar and Switzerland

You only need to claim your state pension in the last country where you lived or worked. Your claim will cover all EEA countries, Gibraltar and Switzerland. You do not need to claim for each country separately.

Why not ring  the DSP in Ireland to check on your position?

Yes, I have my record. They say apply six months in advance, but technically I'm supposed to apply in the country I'm living in, which is the UK . So if I download the form and send it in , six months before, then I've already done it wrong . 

pinnks

If you are UK resident, then just call DWP International Pension Centre (IPC) and say you want to claim your Irish pension and your UK pension.  They will send you a CFN901 and once completed and sent back to IPC, they forward that to the other country(ies), who will contact you as appropriate.  If you have fewer than 10 UK years you'll need to rely on aggregation to get a UK pension and can talk about that to IPC.

Although the theory is that you claim once, in my experience you will have to claim your UK pension in the normal way but if you are speaking to IPC anyway, then they may do everything over the phone.

eastcorkram

pinnks said:

If you are UK resident, then just call DWP International Pension Centre (IPC) and say you want to claim your Irish pension and your UK pension.  They will send you a CFN901 and once completed and sent back to IPC, they forward that to the other country(ies), who will contact you as appropriate.  If you have fewer than 10 UK years you'll need to rely on aggregation to get a UK pension and can talk about that to IPC.

Although the theory is that you claim once, in my experience you will have to claim your UK pension in the normal way but if you are speaking to IPC anyway, then they may do everything over the phone.

So do you think it's possible to start that process six months before SPA?

pinnks

You can only claim your UK pension up to 4 months before your birthday but we started the process via IPC for our German pensions about 6 months before their due date, so I would call IPC and set things in motion.  It will take a week or so to get the CFN901 to you, then 4 weeks or so for them to process it and forward to the other country, etc.

eastcorkram

pinnks said:

You can only claim your UK pension up to 4 months before your birthday but we started the process via IPC for our German pensions about 6 months before their due date, so I would call IPC and set things in motion.  It will take a week or so to get the CFN901 to you, then 4 weeks or so for them to process it and forward to the other country, etc.

Thanks. Do you remember having to supply a full work history from the moment you left education?

pinnks

CFN901 asks for non-UK employments, dates, employer address, state pension institution and reference number and whether you were compulsorily or voluntarily insured/contributing.