This section has information about the various pension schemes that are tailored for missionaries and overseas Christian workers along with other helpful information on pensions.
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Pension advice
The Pension Service
The Pension Service website, set up by the UK Government, has most of the information you might need about the state pension scheme, including a section about when you work or live abroad. You can request a pension forecast either by completing an online form or by telephoning the number below.Website: www.thepensionservice.gov.uk
Tel: 0845 3000 168
Financial Services Authority
The FSA website has some good information on pensions, particularly the new stakeholder pensions. There are also a series of flow charts available through the web-site called 'decision trees', helping you find out what options are open to you.Website: www.fsa.gov.uk
Email: consumerhelp@fsa.gov.uk
Tel: 0845 606 1234 or 020 7676 1000 if calling from overseas
Social Security Abroad
HMR&C (Inland Revenue) has produced a leaflet about making National Insurance Contributions whilst you are abroad.Website: www.hmrc.gov.uk/pdfs/nico/ni38.pdf
A comment from an OSCAR user about state pensions for missionaries:
Missionaries/ex-missionaries who are classified as self-employed (on same basis as a minister of religion) get a very good deal on class 2 contributions at around £2 a week, as regards building up their own state pension. This new lower figure came in April 2000. It is also highly advisable that wives pay their own, rather than trust their husbands. If a husband dies before his retiring age (65), a wife loses out badly, as happened to one of our missionaries. Had she been making her own contributions, she would have been better off.Also, even if the husband doesn't die, a wife still entitled to pension at 60 currently, may well find that her pension in the period age 60-65, having made her own contributions, will exceed what she would get claiming on her husbands record. Particularly if her husband has less than a full record, through being out of the country.
pension providers
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Personal & stakeholder
Kingsworld Walder Ltd
Kingsworld have a long track record for providing pensions for missionaries and Christian workers. They also designed the 'Global Connections' (formerly EMA) pension schemes used by many mission organisations.Website: www.kingsworld.co.uk
Email:
Tel: 01747 826251
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State pension advisors
Christians Abroad
Christians Abroad is able to act as your agent if you are a volunteer or worker in development and mission. For many developing countries there is a special concessionary rate available, ("Voluntary Development Worker") which preserves most UK benefits while you are away and is far cheaper than paying full rate in arrears when you return.Website: www.cabroad.org.uk/vacs/NI.htm
Email:
Tel: 0870 770 7990