Claiming state pension abroad but missing information / documents

GSTAR

Hi all,

I am trying to help my dad, who is based in Malaysia, to claim his state pension.

I've downloaded the form from here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-claiming-a-state-pension-if-you-retire-abroad

It's quite a long form, but aside from that I'm not sure how he will answer some of the questions. I will explain the issues below:

1. In part 1 it asks whether his wife has claimed any benefits. He is separated from his wife and no longer in contact with her, so he does not have this information.
2. In part 1 it asks for his birth certificate, but he does not have this.
3. In part 2 it asks for his wife's address and NI number, he does not know this.
4. In part 2 it asks for his marriage certificate, but he no longer has this.
5. In part 3 it asks for the address of where he was born, but he does not remember this. He knows the town and country but not the street name.
6. In part 3 it asks for the address of where he was married, but he does not remember this. He knows the town and country but not the venue name.
7. In part 6 it asks whether his wife has received / is currently receiving any benefits. As per point 1, he does not have this information.

The form seems to assume that the claimant will have all the information being requested. I'm just a bit concerned that his claim will be rejected, even though he has built up enough qualifying years.

I would be grateful for some guidance on this matter.

molerat

All you / he can do is fill in what you do know.  There are several boxes for no / don't know and I doubt they are really interested in exact addresses, I certainly didn't need that depth of information for claiming from UK. There is a box at part 10 for other information where you can put that all questions are answered for himself as wife's whereabouts and history are unknown.  They must get loads of these forms only half completed so will be used to it.

There is also the option, as mentioned on the web page, to contact the IPC to ask for help.  No doubt you could do that from UK as it would be fairly general in nature such as "he hasn't got ..." or "doesn't know ..." and they would give options.

Bostonerimus1

You can explain the marriage situation on the form, but I'd try to contact the spouse and maybe even divorce as it might make things simpler. For the documentation I would contact the relevant authorities and get copies.

fifeken

If in England or Wales, 2 and 4 available here:

https://www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate

Keep_pedalling

On a separate matter, does he have an appropriate will in place? If not his wife will inherit a substantial portion of his estate, and if he dies in Malaysia it is going to take years to sort out.

https://www.iproperty.com.my/guides/who-inherits-your-property-if-you-pass-away-without-writing-a-will-23841