State pension letter

Shandy it's a gamble!

I didn't take the gamble but on reflection, perhaps I should have done.
Although you might be better putting that sum into Premium Bonds!

Yes of course it is but that’s not the point is it. Why are some people getting letters and others not?? Very random.

I don't remember ever getting a letter and I do think the Civil Service, like so many workers, are under pressure at the moment and perhaps working from home.

We each need to take responsibility for ourselves.

I've just had a horrible wake up call regarding my pension. I've got 37 full years, and ten 'incomplete' years. I'm predicted to get £150 pw, my SP was calculated on the old rules.

Apparently because of the 2016 pension change, buying anything up to this date won't add any value to my pension. I've now got to decide if I want to spend some of the money left from my house sale to get an additional £5 a week, per year I purchase.

Poppyred, my comments are general and not directed at any specific poster.
As for missing letters, some possibilities?
Letters lost in post?
Letter gone to wrong address?
Not confident using technology, a phone call to DWP asking about the missing letter, checking personal details, including DOB and address, would set things in motion. Citizens Advice will also offer support, if one doesn't have the confidence to deal with it.

It turned out that a few people, who didn't receive vaccination letters, hadn't actually informed their GP surgery of their change of address, but still complained about not receiving an appointment. It was their responsibility to inform of change of address.

For example, I'm shielding, but my vaccination appointment letter never arrived, despite all my details being kept up to date. I knew I should have received one, I didn't mess about and chased it up. It was my responsibility, no-one else's.
Before I'm accused of being sanctimonious and critical, suffering from chronic ill health and often having brain fog, I do not find these tasks easy, but I try.

Marydoll

Surely it is our own responsibility to find out the necessary info? If we are able to post on this site, we are obviously able to use technology and the Internet. A simple search will bring up the required information, that's what I did.

Yes of course it is but that’s not the point is it. Why are some people getting letters and others not?? Very random.

The problem is, Gwyneth, other posters don't know if you are feeling particularly sensitive because you are having a bad day.

I don't think anyone was unkind at all - just correcting misinformation which could cause alarm.
There is a lot of misinformation presenting as fact out there on the internet.

www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/deferring-state-pension-and-what-you-will-get

Gwyneth

This has actually happened to a friend of mine so I am not scaremongering. Why do you have to be so unkind, you’ve really upset me and I was feeling bad enough anyway so thanks.

Did your friend have the deferred pension increase and not realise that it had perhaps been incorporated?
I don't think it is paid as a lump sum unless you request that but please check.
I'm not sure how anyone could not remember to chase up something so important, though!

I paid Graduated Pension for years and that part has just gone up by 1p a week.
What shall I spend it all on?

I think we need to be aware and follow up something so important as our pension especially as the Civil Service may be working under a lot of pressure at the moment.

I deferred mine for a year as I wasn’t ready to retire. You won’t lose out if you do this so please don’t feel worried about it.

I have always found you to be pleasant to posters Marydoll I do know alot of people who have trouble with technology and they need help, not everybody knows about these things.
In my work I have had to advise people on things that I thought was obvious, but believe me it is not obvious to them.
I agree about the unpleasantness but I am finding this in everyday life too I really think people are at the end of their tether.

From HM Government website:

You do not get your State Pension automatically - you have to claim it. You should get a letter no later than 2 months before you reach State Pension age, telling you what to do.
You can either claim your State Pension or delay (defer) claiming it.

If you want to defer, you do not have to do anything. Your pension will automatically be deferred until you claim it.
Deferring your State Pension could increase the payments you get when you decide to claim it. Any extra payments you get from deferring could be taxed.
Your State Pension will increase every week you defer, as long as you defer for at least 9 weeks.

Your State Pension increases by the equivalent of 1% for every 9 weeks you defer. This works
out as just under 5.8% for every 52 weeks.
The extra amount is paid with your regular State Pension payment.

Thank you, rafichagran, it certainly wasn't meant to be spiteful nor directed solely at Gwyneth.
I prefer facts to heresay. Its relatively easy to set up a Government Gateway account and take responsibility. If you find it daunting and some may do, ask a family member or friend for help.

Who would have guessed what should be a helpful, informative thread would become unpleasant?

Surely it is our own responsibility to find out the necessary info? If we are able to post on this site, we are obviously able to use technology and the Internet. A simple search will bring up the required information, that's what I did.

Once you've reached state retirement age, you don't have to claim it straight away if you don't want to

Chewbacca as far as I'm aware, when you receive the invitation letter you have to let the DWP know your intentions i.e. whether to defer or to claim.

I had my letter advising me to apply a while ago and have had a Gateway login for a couple of years, I’ll patiently await the payment date.

Gwyneth sorry you had bad news, dont leave, I think you may just be very sensitive at the moment.
I did not agree with Marydolls last paragraph I thought it was unnecessary, but she is not spiteful, and I am sure she would not want to cause you any upset.

Gwynth, no-one has accused you of being stupid and no-one intended to offend you. I'm sure Chewy won't mind me saying that in her defense, she has first hand knowledge of deferring state pension.

You are obviously feeling fragile today and I'm sorry you have had bad news, many on here, myself included, are struggling today. However, there is absolutely no need to leave the site because of a couple of responses to your post.
I hope things improve for you soon.

The info from the DWP is quite clear:

You will not get your new State Pension automatically - you have to claim it. You should get a letter no later than 2 months before you reach State Pension age, telling you what to do.

If you have not received an invitation letter, but you are within 4 months of reaching your State Pension age you can still make a claim.

The quickest way to get your State Pension is to apply online.

DWP

I received my pension last September - I applied online; after waiting an extra 6 years I wasn't about to wait for an 'invitation'.

Marydoll Chewbaccas post was informative, and I know about deffering my pension, however it I think it was the last sentence about scaremongering that upset Gwyneth.
Not everyone knows about these things that is why the OP asked the question.

Thanks marydoll obviously I apologise for being stupid and for my friend who clearly has made this up. I have decided to leave the site as a result. I’ve received some bad news today and thought that reading threads and posting would help distract me. Obviously it was a mistake.

jilljosie your DH could be getting more than you because he was earning more than you and paid SERPS on his higher income.

Compare the calculations for both of your pensions, they can be made up of all kinds of other payments as well as the basic pension

I should have said that after that initial payment of £27, I would then get the full four weekly pension amount.

I received a letter in February advising me I would get mine on my 66th birthday in May and asked for my bank details.
I went online, filled in my bank details and was informed by letter, that the first amount would be £27, as it is paid in arrears.
However, I had already checked my pension forecast and would have contacted the appropriate people, if no letter had been received.

You can also go into the Government Gateway site, if you don't receive a letter.

Gwyneth, Chewbacca wasn't being unkind, just stating the accurate facts.
People need to be proactive, not sit back and wait for someone to get in touch.

I got a letter last May. I was 66y in August last. The letter did not tell me any amounts. I rang the DWP and a lovely Yorkshire lady guided me through the process. ‘Rightpet, just confirm ...’ this that and the other. I asked her if she could tell me how much I’d be getting. She told me the amount and said it would go into my bank every four weeks. So you’ll get 13 pensions per year OP. Enjoy it! It’s wonderful.

This has actually happened to a friend of mine so I am not scaremongering. Why do you have to be so unkind, you’ve really upset me and I was feeling bad enough anyway so thanks.

Also if you do forget to apply it is only backdated to a few months so you can lose out.

This is not correct, you will not lose out. Once you've reached state retirement age, you don't have to claim it straight away if you don't want to. For every 9 weeks that you don't claim it, your state pension will increase by the equivalent of 1%. This is known as a deferred claim. If you leave claiming your state pension for 52 weeks, your pension can increase by 5.8%.

I do wish people didn't scaremonger.