What Does She Need To Do

[jennyjoan]

friend has sold her house and now got into a fold of sort. She has been informed because she has now too much money in the bank she is no longer entitled to ESA.

However she is concerned re her old age pension - she is now 58 - how does she ensure she gets it - does she have to get a "frank/stamp" every week. If so where does she go. Thanks

[AuntLydia]

She will not be entitled to her old age pension until she is 66, at least not in the UK mainland. If she has worked during her life she will have made contributions which you can check either online or by writing to HMRC stating her national Insurance number. If she has not paid enough 'stamps' she could top it up with a lump sum but as I said earlier, she will not get her pension until she is 66

[jennyjoan]

I knew that she wouldn't be paid until 66 AL - but she (autistic) wanted to know if she needed to top up before 66.

Yes she worked in the care system for 37 years.

[jennyjoan]

do you know the link online re HMRC - I could check it up for her

[Mamyalynne]

Use the link here for State Pension Forecast and it should also say if a top up is advised.

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/forecasting-your-pension

[ubasses]

As long as she has paid her National insurance for all of the 37 years she has worked she will qualify for her full pension.

[Tilly2]

Why is she no longer working? Is she ill?

[jennyjoan]

that's great all - she is a worrier - so this will settle her. Thanks again.

[jennyjoan]

Tilly - she had an aneurysm in her brain maybe 8 or 9 years ago.

[Tilly2]

Oh, just seen the bit about ESA.

[AuntLydia]

Tilly do you really need to know that? Thats her business.

[AuntLydia]

Jenny she may be eligible for PIP I don't think that is based on your earnings or savings.

[jennyjoan]

Yes AL - she is getting PIPs.

[Tilly2]

I asked, AL, because I wanted to know if she was worrying unnecessarily about her stamps being paid.

I will ask what questions I like. If JJ didn't want to answer, she didn't have to.

[jennyjoan]

LOL - think I made a mistake in her working years - think it was 27 years -

[jennyjoan]

am awaiting on her ringing me with her NI. no I don't mind answering any questions as I like my own questions answered.

[Tilly2]

Then, she will have to top up her contributions.

[Tilly2]

Have a read of this, JJ.

https://www.gov.uk/state-pension/eligibility

[fiction-factory]

The state forecast mentioned by Tilly and Mamyalynne should clarify whether she needs to contribute anything. It may be that in addition to teh 27 years of work contributions have been paid for other periods- eg when in full time education, or if a stay at home mum for a while or if on certain benefits when not working.
If she was in a company pension scheme that was contacted out that may affect things too

[AuntLydia]

Tilly I didn't advise you you that you shouldn't ask, I asked why you needed to know. I think my very first post covered your concerns so its all good and hopefully jennys friend can get her pension sorted.

[Hopkirk]

I think you need 30 years of contributions to get full state pension now.