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 from mobile phones and other networks may be different.

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.

Other publications you may find useful

I want to apply for a Financial Order (D190)
If you live in England or Wales, you can get this guide from your local county court (details are in your 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)
You can get this leaflet from your nearest social security office or Jobcentre (details are in your phone book). Or, you can visit our 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 from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. If you have speech or hearing difficulties, a textphone service is available on 0845 602 1913. Or, you can visit our website at www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/serps

A guide to State Pensions (NP46)
This gives you more information about State Pensions. You can get this guide from your nearest social security office or Jobcentre (details are in your phone book) or by calling us (click here for contact details). Or, you can visit the resource centre on The Pension Service website at www.thepensionservice.gov.uk

National Insurance contributions for women with reduced elections (CA13)
You can get this leaflet from your local Inland Revenue office (details are in your local phone book) or by visiting the Inland Revenue’s website at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/pdfs/nico/ca13.pdf

National Insurance contributions for widows or widowers (CA09)
You can get this leaflet from your local Inland Revenue office (details are in your local phone book) or by visiting the Inland Revenue’s website at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/pdfs/nico/ca09.pdf

National Insurance contributions for divorcees (CA10)
You can get this leaflet from your local Inland Revenue office (details are in your local phone book) or by visiting the Inland Revenue’s website at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/pdfs/nico/ca10.pdf

Pensioners’ guide (PG1)
You can get this guide, or the one for Scotland (PG3), by calling 0845 6 065 065. If you have speech or hearing difficulties, a textphone service is available on 0845 6 064 064. You can get copies of this guide in Welsh (PG2) and other formats by phoning one of the numbers above.

For information about contracting out of the State Second Pension, write to the Inland Revenue,National Insurance Contributions Office,Services to Pensions Industry, Benton Park View, Newcastle upon Tyne NE98 1ZZ, or call their Helpline on 0845 91 501 50. Or, you can visit the Inland Revenue’s website at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/leaflets/nic.htm

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 guide gives a general summary of the pension system and suggests points you should think about.

State pensions – Your guide (PM2)
This explains whether you are likely to get a State Pension and how we work state pensions out. 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)
If you are 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, or 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. The line is open 24 hours a day. 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 these guides at Pension Guide, Freepost, NAT 5951, Ashby de la Zouch LE55 7QP (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 more copies of this leaflet, or for a Welsh, audiotape or Braille version, you can phone 0845 7 31 32 33. You can also read this leaflet on the internet at www.pensionguide.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
PM6

General enquiries 0845 60 60 265
(textphone users call 0845 60 60 285)
www.thepensionservice.gov.uk