UK Pensions Service, and working in the EU

I think that the UK should contact the relevant authorities in Germany or France and if you have made enough contributions it will be added to your UK state pension.

Yes, that’s what I think too, Mamie, and seems to accord with what I’ve read.

These years didn’t matter to DH, as he wasn’t opted out during his working life. I was in a Local Government scheme and those years don’t now count towards the new state pension, so I need every year of contributions I can get my hands on.

Thank you both for your replies.

Yes, Puzzler, I went to Germany of my own accord to join my now DH, who was already out there working for a German company, who offered me a job as well. I still have pretty good German, so can probably cope with the correspondence.

I can’t quite believe it, as I normally keep all documents that might come in, but our German stuff was in the bottom drawer of an old chest in the coal cellar. Just two years ago I opened it to find that a mouse had got in and shredded most of it to make a nest. We just dumped the horrible, smelly lot. How I wish now I’d gone through it with my trusty rubber gloves on!

I did contact our old employers earlier this year, and they came back to me the same day. Unfortunately they’ve changed hands three times since we were there and have no record of us.

We were already living in France and running a small business here when we got to state pension age, having both already made 30 years of contributions in the UK. Our social security caisse here took all the details (long and complicated form) and passed it to the UK. The UK was designated our competent state and we received nothing from France as we had only paid in for a couple of years and did not have enough contributions. Since then our UK state pensions have been paid directly into our UK bank account.
I think that the UK should contact the relevant authorities in Germany or France and if you have made enough contributions it will be added to your UK state pension. I don't think this is affected by Brexit, but I imagine it will take a while.

As you say, Ellianne, I’d start making noises now. I’ll be ringing the DWP first thing on Monday - it’s actually lucky for them that they’re not open today, as I had steam coming out of my ears when I read the letter earlier.

I also applied weeks ago for 3 years’ worth of specified adult childcare credits, and have heard nothing on that front either.

If my experience of German authorities still holds true, I might be in for a lot of form-filling, but at least they’ll have the courtesy to acknowledge my correspondence!

You must be feeling very messed about to put it mildly Maggiemaybe. My DH worked for 2 years in Germany also but I believe his NI was still paid into his UK contributions account as the company was multi-national.
DH’s State Pension starts next month too, and all seems to be okay. Like you he responded to his invitation to draw his State pension so we shall wait and see.
Did you initiate taking the job in Germany and move over there? Have you kept the contract still?
I remember the German people are hot on employing advisors about their tax matters so maybe you need one to sort out your NI contributions towards your pension?
It’s helpful that they all speak fluent English (unless you are fluent in German?)

Don’t give up - this is your entitlement. Very best of luck. ?

Yes, and thank you for the heads up. I haven't got round to applying yet because I won't be getting a state pension for several years. I can imagine it will be a nightmare to sort out and less easy now as you say.
We worked in France for years and paid into the system. Their reyirement age is that bit lower than ours so I guess we could start to make noises in that direction.
The difference I found dealing with these things in France is that they prefer proper paperwork, or at least copies. Emails rarely get answered, they are not good with those.