Help and Advice please

[capricorn1959]

Fellow posties

I have agreed EVR, and my finishing date is early next month.

I have taken voluntary redundancy, (one of only two In my office) and because I m over 55 a lump sum and pension.

Although I am going to be in receipt of this pension monthly, (not a great deal, but some income),
do I still have to go and sign on as unemployed?

A fellow postie said although I will get no money because of my lump sum and pension , I still need to sign on to get my 'stamp'.

I never thought I would have to leave RM til official retirement age, but things have changed so much, I had to get out.

Would appreciate any advice or help, thankyou.

[RobertT]

It may be still possible that you’re entitled to some state benefits despite receiving your pension and lump sum. This might help you: http://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Alternatively try your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

Whether you need to get your ‘stamp’ will largely depend on whether you’ve built up enough qualifying years for the full state pension and whether you intend to work again or not. I’m no expert on benefits but I think you only get credited with NI if you’re on Job Seekers Allowance and actively looking for work as well as a few other benefits.
The alternative would be to pay your NI stamps yourself but there would obviously be a cost to that, more info:
https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-i ... tributions" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I would suggest you get a state pension statement to find out the amount you’re likely to get when the time comes:
https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-statement" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And here’s some info on JSA:
https://www.gov.uk/jobseekers-allowance/overview" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[baldrick]

When I took EVR I rang the DWP helpline to ask if I needed to sign on to get the NI credits for my State Retirement Pension, and was told that as I had enough qualifying years (35) I didn't need to sign on, I would get the full pension at 65.

There was no point in me signing on as my pension was more than the JSA which meant I wouldn't get any benefits. If your pension is less than JSA you might get something. Though the lump sum might mean you don't.

[RobertT]

When I took EVR I rang the DWP helpline to ask if I needed to sign on to get the NI credits for my State Retirement Pension, and was told that as I had enough qualifying years (35) I didn't need to sign on, I would get the full pension at 65.

You will get the full basic state pension as it is today(£115.95) but as you were contracted out of S2P/SERPS for at least your time in the RMPP, you may not get the full rate of the ‘new state pension’, expected to be around £150, unless you have fairly substantial S2P from other jobs.

It won’t be possible as far as I’m aware, to make up any shortfall before April 2016 but gaining NI credits afterwards may be advantageous to the total state pension you will receive. Hence why a personalised statement is the way to go.

There was no point in me signing on as my pension was more than the JSA which meant I wouldn't get any benefits. If your pension is less than JSA you might get something. Though the lump sum might mean you don't.

Yes it’s a very personal thing.

[capricorn1959]

Thankyou both for your advice.

RobertT I have saved all of the links and will check things out this coming week.

baldrick, I have also noted a chat to DWP might be worth it.