Pensions

[chokkie]

Hi folks, when I left secondary school at the age of 18 (in 1970, or whenever), I went straight to work at the Foreign & Commonwealth office (as it was called then). I didn't work there for very long and have no idea whether or not I paid into a pension pot.

Now coming up to retirement (well in four years time), I remembered this, and wondered if it would be worth contacting them to ask whether I am entitled to any pension from them.

Wotcha think ABers? Do you think it's worth the cost of writing a letter and a stamp?

Chox

[craft1948]

Worth a try.....as this was civil service you would have been in their non-contributory pension scheme i.e. you wouldn't have had to make any contributions.

[chokkie]

Thanks, craft. I'm at home tomorrow, so will get my letter written then. Certainly worth a try. I won't even be upset if they say no - if they can find me in their Personnel records!
Cheers, Chox.

[dzug2]

I think by 1970 the civil service scheme had become contributory, so you might have paid a small amount. (it would have been for a widow's pension and may have been voluntary)

The other snag is that at one time if you left the civil service before retirement age you lost all your pension - I don't know when that stopped. I suspect well before your time.

Still worth asking though

[factor-fiction]

You should be on the pension scheme records. If you were in the scheme you should have had statements/forecasts maybe annually.
My guess is that if you weren't there long (under 2 years) and you paid contributions the contributions would have been refunded when you left

[buildersmate]

The CS 1972 Scheme applied up until 2002. It certainly did have some preserved pension rights on leaving.
I suspect that it was on resignation prior to 1972 that one had no right to a preserved CS pension.
However it may depend on other factors. An elderly relative worked in Uganda from 1949 to 1951 for the Crown Office and was surprised to find the service was pensionable. The pension was claimed from and paid by DFID.

[chokkie]

Well, I've written the letter and it's in the post. It will be interesting to hear what they have to say. I won't bear a grudge if they say there's nothing. Worth a try and the stamp anyway. Thanks for all your suggestions, guys.

Chox.