So what do we do about it? Who do we contact? If you are one of the millions of people who’re worried about your pensions or feel you’re not exactly up to date with what’s happening to them, or know someone else who may be in that position, don’t worry; help is at hand. Further below in this article I’ve included the links that will help you obtain the information you need to get started addressing the important subject of pensions. These links will also be made permanently available in a special section of my website so you won’t have to worry if you can’t find this article at a later date.
What if I’m not eligible to get a full State pension?
Some people who’ve already retired but do not receive the full Basic State Pension can increase their pension by paying additional Class 3 National Insurance contributions. The NIC online planner gives plenty of useful information and guidance on the subject. You’ll find out here whether it’s a good idea or not to pay additional NI contributions. You’ll find it here…
Voluntary National Contribution Planner from The Pensions Advisory Service
When am I due my state pension?
Do you know when your State Pension Age is? This is very complicated and can be Age 60, for others age 65, or 66, or 67, or even 68 and for many all points in between! You’d have to be a genius to work it out. However do not worry fear; help is at hand. Click below to get to access to the State Pension Age calculator. It really couldn’t be more straight forward. All you need to input is your date of birth and sex and, as if by magic you will find out what that date is. Go on have a go here:-
What’s happened to all my pensions?
One of the most common problems I encounter on a weekly basis is that people have moved around so much in the past as far as jobs are concerned. Long gone are the days when people started a job at 16 and were still there when they retired. It’s never a simple process to move your pensions around with you when you change jobs and plenty of people simply forget about their old pensions. If you think you are one of the thousands who may have an old pension lying around somewhere or other you can get to use a free service called the Pension Tracing Service by simply clicking on the link below and filling in a few details. It might take about 20 minutes to complete, but it could turn out to be one of the best 20 minutes work you ever do. This service holds information on over 200,000 pension schemes so there’s a good chance they’ll be able to find your details.
Click here for the Pensions Tracing Service (Department Of Work and Pensions)
How much will I get from the state?
Have you any idea what you’ll get in State Pensions when you eventually retire? The State Pension Schemes are also pretty complex and they’ve been subject to lots of changes over the years so it’s almost impossible to know how much pension you’re entitled to from the State. But anyone can find out. Just click on the link below. You can even apply for a State Pension Forecast online from there too. Go on, give it a go…
Click here for the State Pension Forecast
Am I entitled to Pension Credit?
If you’re over the age of 60 you may well be eligible claim something called the Pension Credit. This entitlement is there to top up the income of older people to a certain minimum level set by the Government. However there are lots of people who do not claim their Pension Credits. It is reckoned that billions of pounds a year are left unclaimed. If you think you may be entitled to Pension Credit, or know someone who might be, then take a little time to check out this easy to use guide to how to claim it. There’s plenty of basic information here that explains things really well and also there’s a useful Pension Credit Calculator you can play with to see if you may be entitled to extra income; it only takes a few minutes. Worth looking at; you never know…
Click here to get a Pension Credit Estimate
I hope you find this information useful and don’t forget you can always get in touch by phone or e-mail if you have any pension queries at all. I’d be only too delighted to help out. Until next time…
