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Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Bonanza for people from unclaimed UK pensions
By: Anna-Marie Flynn
A LARGE number of qualifying individuals in County Mayo could stand to gain considerable amounts of money in what are currently unclaimed British Pensions.
The Congress Centre for the Unemployed, based in Letterkenny, Donegal, has become the base camp for processing enquiries about both unclaimed British Pensions and the purchase of British Social Insurance Contributions with a considerable number of people standing to claim money, particularly in the West of Ireland.
Speaking to the Western People, Mr Oliver Griffin of the Congress Resource Centre, spoke of the outstanding pensions now available to claim. “A lot of Mayo pensioners are unaware that they are entitled to a pro-rata British pension even if they only worked in Britain for at least one year. They would get arrears if they applied when they were over pension age”.
Mr Griffin stated that there is a considerable amount to be gained from the scheme. “The highest amount of arrears that has come back is £112 STG per week and arrears of £5,700 STG with £7,000 STG to come”.
When asked to give an example of those that are applicable, Mr Griffin put the most likely cases forward. “Hypothetically, John is 70 and has an Irish Contributory Pension. He worked for four years in Britain and is now claiming a pro-rata British pension. He would get a pension of £7.02 STG per week for himself plus £4.21 which his wife would get, giving a total of £11.23 STG per week. If John is single he would get arrears of £1825.20. If married, his spouse would get 60% of this for herself which would come to £1095.12 STG in arrears, giving a composite total of £2920.25 STG”.
With such sums available to claim, the Congress Resource Centre has dealt with an incredible 1800 queries since December 2004. A successful venture, it is certainly something that Oliver Griffin did not anticipate to be directing.
“The irony is I was never inside Social Welfare Office in Ireland or Britain in my life. I used to work for Eircom and never thought that I would have devised a system unknowingly that would help so many”. As a result of his plan, pensions worth thousands are now coming back into Ireland. If you think you may qualify for a British pro-rata pension, contact the Newcastle Office directly on 0044 191 2182828.
Those who have a social insurance contribution in both Ireland and Britain and those who have ready, a British national insurance number (alternatively provide name, date of birth and employment details) can be dealt with. Mr Griffin, based in Pearse Road, Letterkenny, also deals with the purchase of British Social Insurance Contributions. “If you have worked in Britain for even a few months you can continue to purchase British Social Insurance contributions for £109.20 STG per year (€3.16 p.w.) More details and pension forecast application forms are available on 0044 191 225 4811.
As this is currently the only foundation of its kind in Ireland, The Congress Centre offers the initial advice and guidance on how to claim outstanding money or continue to purchase social insurance. At present no consultation fee applies but, as there is no specific funding for the service, the centre does accept small donations. Appointments can be booked on 074-912-8010
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