Claiming pension but never lived in this country!

[DivaDebs]

Can someone please confirm to me that this is not legal... If someone has not paid their stamp, they can't claim a UK pension, can they? This 'person' I am concerned about has lived in Spain all their life, but seems to think they can con the government by giving a UK address and claiming UK pension... Thanks

[Gef]

Off the top of my head, no they can't claim a UK pension but under EU rules they can live in Britain and claim their Spanish state pension if one exists. When I retire I could live in Spain and get my UK state pension paid there.

Waits for experts to come along.

[DivaDebs]

They sure do! Thanks for your input. IF I choose to go down this route.. how do I report them? Sorry- don;t mean to sound mean, but this person is also trying to defraud my grandmother... I feel I should do something. Thanks

[THECORBYLOON]

I work for the Department for Work and Pensions and used to deal wi claims for Retirement Pension. As has been said before, entitlement is based on National Insurance contributions and giving a UK address is not sufficient. If you think there is fraud involved you can do so on-line. visit here 

[Hammer]

It's not mean to report them, do it! People seem to think that 'the government' are fair game, with benefit cheats and tax-dodgers semmingly everywhere you turn, but it's the ordinary taxpayers that have to foot the bill.

It doesn't come out of Blair and Brown's own pockets you know...

[DivaDebs]

I agree with you all, and I am going to report it... even although I only actually suspect it at the moment. She's not actually been a housewife all her adult life... she just works and lives in Spain. The person I am talking about, although not bright, is certainly very devious and manipulative. If there is a way she can scam anyone (and I include her own mother in this!) she will. Thanke everyone.

[THECORBYLOON]

mdoo98 a married person (man or woman) can use the contribution record of his or her spouse to give entitlement to a State Pension. The contribution record of a former or late spouse can be used if the person is divorced or widowed.

For a married person, if the entitlement based on that person's contributions is less than 60% of the full rate, the spouse's record is used to top it up to the 60%. For those who are widowed or divorced it's more complicated (and folk think this pension lark is simple eh?)

[DivaDebs]

Not half!! Her husband was Spanish anyway, so this won't be relevant to her... Thanks everyone!

[DivaDebs]

I see what you mean. I'm not sure, but I do think they would get something, so long as they have lived in this country.