Directory

Where we refer to phone numbers which begin with 0845, they will be charged at the local rate based on current charges from BT landlines. Charges for calls made from mobile phones and other networks may be different.

For basic help on the different types of pension, you can contact Citizens Advice (details are in your local phone book). You can also visit their website at www.citizensadvice.org.uk.

The Pensions Advisory Service (OPAS) can give you information about any aspect of occupational, stakeholder and personal pensions. You can contact OPAS if you are having problems with your pension that your scheme managers or trustees cannot sort out. You can contact them on 0845 601 2923 , from 9am to 5pm , Monday to Friday. Or, you can visit the OPAS website at www.opas.org.uk, email them at enquiries@opas.org.uk, or write to the Pensions Advisory Service (OPAS), 11 Belgrave Road , London SW1V 1RB .

If you are 60 or over, you can apply for Pension Credit by calling The Pension Service on freephone 0800 99 1234 . The line is open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays. If you have speech or hearing difficulties, a textphone service is available on 0800 169 0133.

Other publications you may find useful

Personal Pension Schemes (including Stakeholder Pension Schemes) – A guide for members of tax-approved schemes (IR3)
You can get this leaflet by calling the Inland Revenue Audit and Pension Schemes stationery orderline (answerphone) any time on 0115 974 1670 . Or, you can visit the Inland Revenue website at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/pensionschemes/guidance.htm
You can also write to the Inland Revenue, Audit and Pension Schemes, Yorke House, PO Box 62, Castle Meadow Road, Nottingham NG2 1BG.

National Insurance contributions for women with reduced elections (CA13) and Employee's guide to minimum contributions (CA17)
You can get these leaflets from your local Inland Revenue office or you can visit the Inland Revenue website at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/leaflets

I want to apply for a Financial Order (D190 )
If you live in England or Wales, you can get this leaflet from your County Court (details are in your local phone book) or from the Court Service website at www.courtservice.gov.uk

Widowed? (GL14)
You can get this leaflet from your nearest social security office or Jobcentre (details are in your phone book).

Going abroad and Social Security Benefits (GL29) and Coming from abroad and social security benefits (GL28)
You can get these leaflet from your nearest social security office or Jobcentre (details are in your phone book). Or, you can visit The Pension Service website at www.thepensionservice.gov.uk.

Inheritance of SERPS – Important information for married people (SERPSL1)
You can get this leaflet from your nearest social security office or Jobcentre (details are in your phone book), or by calling the Inherited SERPS enquiry line on 0845 600 6116 (or textphone 0845 602 1913) from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Or, you can visit the resource centre on The Pension Service website at www.thepensionservice.gov.uk

Pensioners’ guide (PG1)
This guide tells you about the range of government help and advice available to pensioners. You can get a copy by calling 0845 6 065 065 from 7am to 11pm every day. If you have speech or hearing difficulties, a textphone service is available on 0845 6 064 064. Or, you can visit the website at www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/retired.

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has a range of free consumer booklets and factsheets which explain your pension options:

FSA guide to saving for retirement – starting to save
FSA guide to saving for retirement – reviewing your plans
FSA factsheet – stakeholder pensions and decision trees
FSA guide to annuities and income withdrawal

Call the FSA Consumer Information Line on 0845 606 1234 for copies, or ask for a copy of their full publication list. You can also download copies and find more useful information on the FSA’s website at www.fsa.gov.uk/consumer, or email them at consumerhelp@fsa.gov.uk

The Pre-Retirement Association has launched a learning aid about money. You can find this at www.learnaboutmoney.org

Other guides in this series

A guide to your pension options (PM1)
This gives a general summary of the pensions system and suggests points you should think about.

State pensions – Your guide (PM2)
This guide explains whether you are likely to get a State Pension and how we work out state pensions. It includes more details about the State Second Pension, including examples of how it can help people in different circumstances.

Occupational pensions – Your guide (PM3)
You will find this guide helpful if you are working for an employer who runs a pension scheme and you are a member of the scheme or are thinking of joining.

Personal pensions – Your guide (PM4)
If you are thinking about a personal pension, this guide tells you the sort of questions you should be asking and how you can decide if a personal pension is best for you.

Pensions for the self-employed – Your guide (PM5)
If you are self-employed, you have fewer options but you still have important decisions to make. This guide tells you how you can decide what will be best for you.

Pensions for women – Your guide (PM6)
As a woman, the pattern of your working life may be different from a man’s. For example, you may be more likely to have a career break to raise a family. This guide gives you an idea of the options available, and what you should think about when you plan your pension.

Contracted-out pensions – Your guide (PM7)
This guide gives you information about contracting out of (leaving) the State Second Pension.

Stakeholder pensions – Your guide (PM8)
This guide tells you what you need to think about before taking out a stakeholder pension. It will help you decide whether this kind of pension is best for you.

State pensions for carers and parents – Your guide (PM9)
If you have given up work and aren’t earning very much because you are caring for someone, this guide may help you. It explains what to do to make sure you get as much State Pension as you can in the future.

To order copies of any of the guides in this series, you can call us on 0845 7 31 32 33 . If you have speech or hearing difficulties, a textphone service is available on 0845 604 0210.

Or, you can write to us for any of the guides at Pension Guide, Freepost, Bristol BS38 7WA (you don’t need a stamp). You can also download or order these guides on our website at www.pensionguide.gov.uk

All guides are available in Welsh, on audiotape and in Braille.

For paper copies of this leaflet, or for a Welsh, audiotape or a Braille version, you can phone 0845 7 31 32 33. You can also access this leaflet on the internet at www.thepensionservice.gov.uk

ISBN: 1-84388-005-9
This leaflet is for guidance only. It is not a complete statement of the law.
© Crown copyright
Produced by The Pension Service
Printed in the UK
April 2004
PM1