Frequently Asked Questions
What needs to be done when a pensioner dies?
It is very important that we are told of the death at the earliest opportunity so that we can stop pension payments. Overpayments have to be repaid. Anyone can give us the information, it doesn't have to be a family member, but they will need to be able to give us the following information:- Full name, address and telephone number of the pensioner;
- National Insurance Number;
- Date of birth;
- Date of death;
- Name and National Insurance Number (if applicable) of any surviving spouse
name of next of kin.
We will need to see the original death certificate or burial order too. This can be sent to us at a later date, so don't wait until you have it before informing us of the death. In some cases, there will be money owing to the estate of the deceased, but this cannot be calculated until we have seen documentary evidence of the death. The easiest way to notify us of a death is by telephone.
How do I claim my pension?
If you have paid National Insurance contributions in the UK, DWP will usually send you a claim form about four months before you reach UK State Pension age. This form asks you to tell us about any insurance and residence that you may have in other countries. You can also obtain a claim form from this office or download one from this web site.
How much State Pension will I get?
DWP cannot tell you exactly how much you will get until you make a claim. If you are more than four months away from UK State Pension age you can request a State Pension forecast which will tell you what UK State Pension you can expect to get.
A State Pension forecast tells you in today's money values:
How do I claim my pension?
If you have paid National Insurance contributions in the UK, DWP will usually send you a claim form about four months before you reach UK State Pension age. This form asks you to tell us about any insurance and residence that you may have in other countries. You can also obtain a claim form from this office or download one from this web site.
How much State Pension will I get?
DWP cannot tell you exactly how much you will get until you make a claim. If you are more than four months away from UK State Pension age you can request a State Pension forecast which will tell you what UK State Pension you can expect to get.
A State Pension forecast tells you in today's money values:
- The amount of State Pension you have earned already; and
- The amount of State Pension you can expect at State Pension age based on what you have earned already and what you might earn before you reach State Pension age.
Can I still have my pension paid in Pounds?
Since the beginning of 2007, the only way to receive your payments in Sterling, is to have your pension paid either into a bank account in the UK, or into an account at one of the following three financial institutions in Jamaica - NCB, JNBS or VMBS. These banks and building societies have an arrangement with Barclays Bank in the UK that enables your pension to be paid from the Pension Service (DWP) to Barclays. They then forward the money, still in Sterling, to their partner banks in Jamaica. However, there are bank charges associated with getting your payments like this and once your payment has been made to Barclays, DWP has no further involvement and we cannot get involved in chasing late payments.Why do I get thirteen payments a year?
Your pension is paid every 28 days, not every calendar month. This also means that your payments won't always be received in the bank on the same day every month.
Is my State Pension taxable?
The UK State Pension is not taxed at source, but may be taxable in your country of residence.
Can I get extra for my dependants?
If you get a State Pension from the UK, you may also be paid extra for certain adults who depend on you. You may get this extra payment even if the person who depends on you is in the UK. The extra pension will be worked out in the same way as the rest of your State Pension.
I need to pay someone to help look after me. Can I get extra money for this?
Unfortunately, only pensioners in the UK are able to claim Carers Allowance.
Medical and prescription costs are so high in Jamaica. If we were in the UK we could use the NHS and get free treatment and prescriptions.
Payment of UK National Insurance contributions does not give automatic eligibility to NHS healthcare; it only builds up entitlement to some cash social security benefits, for example the state retirement pension. Eligibility to use the NHS depends solely on residence in the UK. Once people leave the UK to live elsewhere, they are no longer entitled to use the NHS free of charge when they return on visits - regardless of whether they have paid taxes and National Insurance contributions in the past. This applies equally to British Citizens who have moved abroad as to Jamaicans who have spent many years living and working in the UK.
Will I be entitled to Free Health Care when visiting the UK on holiday?
Visitors to the UK will only receive emergency treatment free of charge. You may have to pay for other treatment.
