I joined my husband when he was posted abroad during 25 years with the Coldstream Guards - is it true I can claim state pension for time spent overseas?
Last year in the new Pensions Bill the Government announced that spouses of HM Forces who served abroad and accompanied their husband/wife/partner before 2010 could claim National Insurance contributions from the Department for Work and Pensions.
I have repeatedly asked the DWP and the contributions office how to do this but no one knows anything about it. Do you have any information on this? Joyce Franks, Durham
Joyce and Michael Franks: Married in 1973 and spent time abroad while he served the country with the Coldstream Guards
Tanya Jefferies of This is Money replies: The good news is that you will receive credits towards a state pension for the years you spent overseas with your husband while he served the country with the Coldstream Guards.
You married Michael in 1973 and accompanied him to Hong Kong, Cyprus, Northern Ireland and Germany during his 25-year army career.
The DWP has confirmed that spouses retiring from 6 April 2016 onwards will be covered for the periods they spent abroad with members of the armed forces dating from 6 April 1975 onwards. There is no cut-off point in 2010.
Since you are now 61, that means you will benefit from the changes when you reach state pension age.
The Government has not yet provided details of how to apply for credits but will do so eventually.
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson replies: The Government is introducing a new measure which will allow those who reach state pension age on or after 6 April 2016 to apply for National Insurance credits for past periods back to 6 April 1975, during which they were married to, or in a civil partnership with, a member of Her Majesty’s forces and were accompanying them on a posting outside the United Kingdom.
We will provide further details, including how to apply for these credits in due course.
Further details of the current crediting arrangement are here. We urge people to get an estimate of the state pension they will receive by going here.
Overseas posting: The Coldstream Guards were posted to Hong Kong and Cyprus, as well as Germany and N.Ireland.
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