Get Help With Your Pension

Pensions are much in the news recently; public sector workers are about to strike in protest against proposed increasing contributions, private sector pensions have been decreasing in value, and the Government's new Pensions Bill is nearing its final reading in Parliament.

Nevertheless, despite the gloomy news and uncertainty, most people depend on their pension income to see them through their retirement years. If you are unsure about your pension arrangements, where can you go for impartial advice?

Here is a list, followed by an expansion on each.

• Age UK

• Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

• Forces Pensions Society

• The Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS)

• The Pension Service

• Pension Tracing Service

• Veterans Agency

Age UK

Age UK is an organisation that supports people aged over 50, with help on pensions. For example, it offers facts about pensions and the extra benefits that may be owed to you. You can find out more about state retirement pensions, your entitlement and (if you’re not yet retired) how to get a pension forecast. 

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

The DWP is – as the name suggests - the government department responsible for welfare including pensioners. The DWP’s Pension Service can help with a variety of information about the State Pension, Pension Credit, Winter Fuel Payment and related benefits. Enquiries to your pension centre can cover: State Pension claims, Pension Credit claims, and existing State Pension or Pension Credit claims.

The Pension Service is part of DWP and there is a dedicated pension centre for each area of the country. 

Forces Pensions Society

The Forces Pension Society is an organisation for members who have been in the armed forces. It campaigns for improvements in the Armed Forces Pension Scheme for all three services, aiming to help current and retired service personnel and their widows, widowers and dependants. It provides advice and guidance on pension problems and entitlements. 

The Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS)

TPAS helps the public with pension problems. It is an independent not-for-profit non-departmental public body which aims to provides free information, advice and guidance on all the different types of pensions. You can also use TPAS if you wish to make a complaint about an occupational or private pension arrangement. 

Pension Tracing Service

This is a DWP-run free service which helps people trace old and forgotten pension schemes. This is achieved by attempting to match information provided with data held on the pension scheme database. 0845 600 2537

Veterans Agency

Properly called the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency, this works to improve support, welfare and pensions for members of the UK Armed Forces, veterans and dependants. In addition, it administers the War Pension Scheme. It is a different organisation from the Forces Pension Society.

What's this?