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BS: First time state pension receivers (UK)

05 May 11 - 03:07 PM (#3148710)
Subject: BS: First time state pension receivers
From: Bonzo3legs

I will receive the State Pension later this year - any experiences of cock ups in receipt of this for the first time?


05 May 11 - 03:13 PM (#3148718)
Subject: RE: BS: First time state pension receivers
From: GUEST,Eliza

Yes, Bonzo, I subsequently got a positive deluge of different Tax Coding Notices, the muddle was fearful and I'm still (after over a year) trying to sort it out. You'll be eligible for the Winter Fuel payment, and it comes automatically, you don't need to apply. You can have the Pension paid AFTER the first month (in arrears, naturally!!) or every week. I chose the latter.


05 May 11 - 03:15 PM (#3148720)
Subject: RE: BS: First time state pension receivers
From: Herga Kitty

I was advised on a pre-retirement course to let HMRC know where I now live, because they may not have up-to-date info....

Kitty


05 May 11 - 03:35 PM (#3148738)
Subject: RE: BS: First time state pension receivers
From: Bonzo3legs

Yes, and I'm trying to get my head around "phased income drawdown" from my pension fund - I just don't get it!


06 May 11 - 04:48 AM (#3149070)
Subject: RE: BS: First time state pension receivers
From: Bonzo3legs

Ah it's making a little sense now, but I need to speak to my pension fund manager.


06 May 11 - 04:55 AM (#3149077)
Subject: RE: BS: First time state pension receivers
From: Arthur_itus

I had no problems. Paid straight into my bank account from day one.

I got in touch with them about 6 months before and got the ball rolling.


06 May 11 - 06:01 AM (#3149110)
Subject: RE: BS: First time state pension receivers
From: banjoman

I had no problems in getting my state pension and found the one person I spoke to very helpful. My problem came when the tax people assumed that I had an income in excess of (I think) £38000 and it took several letters and phone calls to convince them that I am not that well off and now everything is fine. I think that the important bit is to make sure that you get your claim for state pension completed in plenty of time to allow for any problems.


06 May 11 - 06:15 AM (#3149116)
Subject: RE: BS: First time state pension receivers
From: Penny S.

I've just been hit, three years on, for more tax, as they made a mistake the year I stopped teaching and didn't take enough. The letter notifying me of this referred to a letter I had not had, which turned up later, explaining the situation.

Penny


06 May 11 - 01:23 PM (#3149288)
Subject: RE: BS: First time state pension receivers
From: Bonzo3legs

HMRC don't make mistakes - they discover the mistakes you have made!!


06 May 11 - 02:56 PM (#3149352)
Subject: RE: BS: First time state pension receivers
From: Leadfingers

I had no problems , and hope you have the same good luck - With ANY government setup , its all a matter of luck wether it goes right or not !!


07 May 11 - 04:03 AM (#3149645)
Subject: RE: BS: First time state pension receivers
From: Penny S.

Oh yes they do make mistakes - I moved from PAYE as a teacher to PAYE as a pensioner, and I was not required to do anything at the time. If it wasn't them it was Capita.

Penny


07 May 11 - 06:13 AM (#3149683)
Subject: RE: BS: First time state pension receivers (UK)
From: GUEST,Eliza

They do indeed make mistakes! How on earth could I have triggered SIX Tax Codings in one year, when all the money I receive passes through their hands before I even get a sniff of what's left? It's PAYE, and it's HMCR who operate it, not me. It resulted in their taking large lumps from my Teacher's Pension, in order to pay off an 'Underpayment' which I hadn't incurred. The annoying thing is, IF they admit it, they intend to repay it bit by bit over a year, but if it had been ME who owed THEM, they'd have wanted the whole lot, and sent menacing 'bailiff' notices, saying they'd forcibly enter the property to seize anything to the value of the debt. I know they do this this because my friend works with Age Concern, and has had pensioners in utter terror from these (actually not legal) letters of threat. DISGUSTING.


07 May 11 - 12:32 PM (#3149850)
Subject: RE: BS: First time state pension receivers (UK)
From: Bonzo3legs

It is truly disgusting and I am truly awkward when they ever call our office!!


08 May 11 - 07:24 AM (#3150293)
Subject: RE: BS: First time state pension receivers (UK)
From: bubblyrat

That was me !!


08 May 11 - 08:34 AM (#3150305)
Subject: RE: BS: First time state pension receivers (UK)
From: GUEST,Eliza

bubblyrat, as I understand it from my friend who works for Age Concern, IF the 'outstanding Tax' is already in the process of being investigated, and IF it's obviously an error, one can't enter someone's home to recover a 'debt' which doesn't exist. Age Concern have solicitors representing these poor elderly folk, and (as I understand it) that is the position. But naturally, the old people are still living in fear, it isn't pleasant to have even received a letter like that. Surely, as old folk receive regular Pensions, it could be sorted out by a small extra payment each month spread over years to get things back on track (IF there is indeed an underpayment.) There have been suggestions that HMRC can't get back underpayments incurred by their own incompetence. No fraud has taken place, and people are subjected to PAYE, so in theory it should be written off.