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The UK State Pension is changing

The UK State Pension is changing from 6 April 2010. If you’re over 55, have recently retired, or if there is an adult who depends on you financially, you may need to take action now to make sure you don’t miss out on money for your future. For more information on how the State Pension is changing, visit
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/StatePension/DG_069498

You can claim your State Pension if you live outside the UK. However, you’ll only receive the index-linked increases if you live in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland or in a country with which the UK has a social security agreement that includes state pensions. For more information on the UK State Pension for Britons living abroad, visit
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/StatePension/Basicstatepension/DG_10026714

Further information:

If there is an adult who depends on you financially

From 6 April 2010, it will no longer be possible to claim an increase of your State Pension for another adult. This is called an 'Adult Dependency Increase'. It is an increase in your State Pension for a wife, husband or someone who is looking after your children, if he or she is considered to be financially dependent on you.

If you are already entitled to this increase on 5 April 2010, you will be able to keep it until you no longer meet the conditions for the increase or until 5 April 2020, whichever is first.

If you claim your State Pension on or after 6 April 2010, you will not be able to claim an increase for an adult who depends on you financially when you finally claim your State Pension, even if you have reached State Pension age before 6 April 2010.

If you reach State Pension age before 6 April 2010

If you wish to get an Adult Dependency Increase (ADI) you must do the following things by 5 April 2010 at the latest:

• claim your State Pension and establish your entitlement
• send in your written claim for an ADI

Your claim for your ADI may be sent today and must be received by your pension centre by 5 April 2010.

Note that you need to post your claim early because of the Easter bank holiday. If your claim is received on 6 April or later you may not be able to get the ADI.

For more information on how to claim your State Pension and an ADI, contact the International Pensions Centre. You can find a range of contact details via this page on Directgov:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories/UsefulContactsByCategory/Over50sContacts/DG_178684