French pension problems

Cambronne

I am a retired British citizen,  ow living back in the UK.I worked in France for a few years in 1970s and had been receiving my French pension. This stopped abruptly three years ago. Since this time I have made contact with the pension department many times and submitted identical paperwork when repeatedly requested. This has resulted in no response at all. I would be very interested to know if anyone has had any similar experience. I am considering consulting a french lawyer to investigate this situation and again would appreciate any advice regarding this.

xylophone

I am a retired British citizen,  ow living back in the UK.

A painful decision?

With regard to your French pension, is it possible that you failed to provide "proof of life"  in the required format to the French pension administrator?

https://www.lassuranceretraite.fr/portail-info/hors-menu/traductions/english/proof-of-life.html#:~:text=You receive a certificate of,suspension of your pension payment.

Marcon

Cambronne said:

I am a retired British citizen,  ow living back in the UK.I worked in France for a few years in 1970s and had been receiving my French pension. This stopped abruptly three years ago. Since this time I have made contact with the pension department many times and submitted identical paperwork when repeatedly requested. This has resulted in no response at all. I would be very interested to know if anyone has had any similar experience. I am considering consulting a french lawyer to investigate this situation and again would appreciate any advice regarding this.

Is there a telephone contact number you could try, given that you aren't getting any response to your written communications?

Cambronne

Thank you very much for your response. I have provided the certificat de vie several times in recent months ( signed and stamped by the local town council!) along with proof of residence and even copies of birth and marriage certificates. After a few weeks we enquire after progress and are asked for it all again. The frustrating thing is that I had received this for about four years before it stopped. I have tried phoning on several occasions to get cut off. The website is equally unhelpful and denies me access to my account

xylophone

I have tried phoning on several occasions to get cut off. The website is equally unhelpful and denies me access to my account

I have to say that it does sound as if the French  Pension Bureaucracy is about as helpful and efficient as the home grown equivalent.

In link above

Our advisors are at your service

Do you have any questions about the certificate of life? Are you experiencing difficulties with this document? Contact our advisors on 09 74 75 76 99*, from Monday to Friday, from 8:00 to 17:00. They will answer all your questions, whether you receive a pension from the general scheme or from another scheme. They will also help you with your procedures and will provide you with information on:

• receipt of the document;
• the use of your personal area at lassuranceretraite.fr and the online service "Submit my certificate of life";
• organising procedures with the local consular authorities.

* Cost of a local call from France. From abroad, dial (+33) 9 74 75 76 99, cost of a call to France.

 

To find out more, visit the “My procedures” and “Declaring my income” pages.

Have  you tried ringing just before 8am? It seems to work over here with DWP - unless the civil servants are on strike or greve du zele?

https://trustsdiscussionforum.co.uk/t/french-pensions/14271/6

Try the French Embassy?

Cambronne

Thank you for your response. I have phoned the number several times and followed the relevant automated options to find the connection finally  cuts off. 

xylophone

Then try the French Embassy?

Or anything here to assist?

https://aide.info-retraite.fr/mce

Cambronne

Thank you again for your interest..( more than the French pension system has shown!) The link you sent sadly takes me to the website which has proved so frustrating and obstructive. Yes, it should be the site to use!I contacted the French Embassy a few months into the situation. They would only help French citizens with their issues.I am very reluctant to seek the help of a French lawyer but repeated attempts on the website, phone calls and postal submissions have got me nowhere. Next issue may be where to find a French lawyer!

xylophone

I can see that the situation is infuriating.

This is a faint hope (and you may already have tried) but I wonder would the IPC be able to help you?

https://www.litrg.org.uk/international/nic-cross-border-situations/uk-state-pension-if-you-have-lived-abroad

Or maybe your MP has a contact at the FO?

Or maybe try the likes of

https://enquire.giambronelaw.com/french_law_firm_uk/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIq9K_s9_-hQMVcppQBh3gJg6aEAAYAyAAEgIcNfD_BwE

Cambronne

You have been so helpful! I tried my MP very early on and that did not get me any further. However.. The link to the French law firm may well be the route I will need to take. How excessive does this seem!
Your thoughts and links have been very useful. All brainwaves welcome!

Marmot

There's a Facebook group called Strictly Fiscal France, someone in there might be able to help...