The International Pension Service Office based within the British High Commission, acts on behalf of The Department for Work and Pensions at Tyneview Park, Newcastle upon Tyne. In Jamaica, there are some 23,500 customers in receipt of UK retirement pension, bereavement benefit and a range of other social security benefits. Our aim is to pay the right money, to the right people, at the right time. We do not make the decisions regarding claims, nor do we make payments from this office. We do forward all mails, completed forms and enquiries directly to Newcastle and we contact our customers in writing, by phone or in person.

We work closely with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in Kingston as part of the reciprocal agreement between the UK and Jamaica, whereby any entitlement under the UK schemes will be paid in Jamaica at the same rate as would be expected in the UK. Entitlement to benefits may be satisfied by a combination of UK and Jamaican contributions, as well as solely on UK payments.

State Pension (formerly called Retirement Pension) is payable from age 65 for a man and 60 for a woman. Following a challenge to the European Court regarding the difference in pension ages, The Pensions Act 1995 brought the State Pension age for women in line with that for men. Women's State Pension age will be increased gradually from 60 to 65 between the years 2010 and 2020. The reason for this long lead in to equalisation is that individuals, companies and pension schemes need time to plan for such a major change.

If a current address is held on computer records, an automatic prompt is issued for the Pension Service to contact the customer approximately three to four months before their 60/65th birthday, inviting them to make a claim to retirement pension. As State Pension claims can only be back-dated for a maximum of three months, it is important not to delay making a claim. You will find a claim form that you can download, complete and send to this office along with Direct Payment details.

Bereavement Benefit (BB) replaced Widow's Benefit (WB) from 9 April 2001; from this date both men and women were able to claim BB. Those customers already getting WB on 9 April 2001 continue to be paid WB. Brief explanations to the benefit types are listed below.

Bereavement Payment
Only payable for the deaths on or after 9 April 2001 and if the late spouse satisfied the contribution conditions. Then a single one-off payment of £2000 is payable to either the widow or widower.

Widowed Parents Allowance (WPA)
Payable from 9 April 2001. To receive WPA the widow/widower must have dependant children and the late spouse satisfied the contribution conditions.

Bereavement Allowance (Ballce)
The late spouse must satisfy the contribution conditions and the customer must be over the age of 45. It is payable for a maximum of 52 weeks and is not payable beyond state retirement age.

With effect from 7 April 2003 dependency increases for children were no longer payable. However, anyone in receipt of a child increase with their BB, WB or state pension prior to this date will continue to receive the increase, subject to the child satisfying the qualifying conditions.

You will find a Bereavement Benefit claim form that you can download, complete and send to this office along with a completed Direct Payment form.

Special Note

We are unable to give advice about any UK occupational pensions. If you require assistance, please contact the pension provider directly; their contact details will be on correspondence from them. We are also unable to witness signatures or endorse certificates sent from any organisation other than the Department for Work and Pensions in Newcastle."

• Claim forms and guidance