My Pension Expert

[user 22184]

I didn't think this would interest me, but while flicking channels this week there was a show all about a company called My Pension Expert. It made me think about my own situation and what I would need to do before retiring, so I ended up watching until the end.

A clip was shown several times of Denise talking about her joyful experience of MPE, how helpful they were, even finding pensions for her she didn't know she had! She said this had allowed her to pay off all her credit cards, her car loan, and work just two days a week. Who wouldn't want some of that?

The next morning, full of enthusiasm, I dialled the number for MPE. My call was answered within a few rings. A good sign, I thought. They're keen. My pen was poised to write down his name, but I don't think it was ever given, as I don't remember it and my notepad page is blank. I said the magic words, Ideal World, and explained that I'd watched the presentation the previous night and would like to book an appointment, but there was no recognition. He certainly didn't sound friendly like the angel Denise had spoken to. He didn't even ask my name. In fact he sounded like he couldn't give a toss, frankly.

Left feeling foolish and stumbling for something to say, I tried to summarise my financial situation: that I have accumulated quite a few workplace pensions over the years, but after 8 or more house moves had lost track of most of them. Well, if you can't tell me who administrates the funds, the account numbers, names of the CEOs' grandchildren, etc, I can't help you, he said. And that was it. There was certainly no effort made to help me.

I emailed Ideal World and told them how surprised I was that MPE had been so unhelpful given their presenter's experience. A cut and paste reply was received the following day saying they would share my email with the production team, etc. I hope Denise gets to see it.

Maybe I was just unlucky that GrumpyMcGrumpface was on shift when I called, as MPE's feedback is pretty impressive. If you have had a similar, or better, experience of MPE, please let me know.

 

[stratobuddy]

I filled in an email form to a different company about my lost pensions (no personal details given except my email) but a week later have heard nothing.

 

[user 22184]

I filled in an email form to a different company about my lost pensions (no personal details given except my email) but a week later have heard nothing.

I think it takes a lot of donkey work, time and patience to find old work workplace pensions and any presenter who claims that a company will do all of this for you without you knowing scheme names, account numbers, etc, isn't telling the truth. I hope your enquiry is successful.

 

[JeepSwensonfan]

Did you tell them that you CHECKED OUT YOUR BASKET?

 

[maymorganlondon]

Have you checked out Money Saving Expert website?
They are very good on there at spelling out what you need to have to hand to hunt down stuff. Normally for free.
I followed their advice for PPI successfully, and I am a total ignoramous who had barely any paperwork.

I must admit that knowing the company was on IW would set alarm bells ringing for me. Not saying IW are sketchy, but pensions advice is regulated for a reason. The company themselves ethically should not be trying to sell their services in this way imo.
Neither are doing this as a for free service, so I guess the wonderful service described be Denniece could either be her gilding the lily, or IW staff got better service than the general public would.

 

[stratobuddy]

I think it takes a lot of donkey work, time and patience to find old work workplace pensions and any presenter who claims that a company will do all of this for you without you knowing scheme names, account numbers, etc, isn't telling the truth. I hope your enquiry is successful.

Have you checked out Money Saving Expert website?
They are very good on there at spelling out what you need to have to hand to hunt down stuff. Normally for free.
I followed their advice for PPI successfully, and I am a total ignoramous who had barely any paperwork.

I must admit that knowing the company was on IW would set alarm bells ringing for me.

I contacted firms I'd worked for, and in particular, my first job where I was a Civil Servant with a "free" gold-plated pension.

They said they cannot find my records and therefore "that was that", they can't help!

 

[maymorganlondon]

I contacted firms I'd worked for, and in particular, my first job where I was a Civil Servant with a "free" gold-plated pension.

They said they cannot find my records and therefore "that was that", they can't help!

Shame. Do you still have any paychecks from back then?
That might jog their memory. I think that when it comes to Civil Service pensions they may have some rules which allow them to bin off people if they have contributed for only a short while. The number of changes that have happened with pensions in the past 30 years is amazing... it all seemed to set in after the Robert Maxwell Daily Mirror printers pension scandal in my recollection.

 

[user 22184]

Have you checked out Money Saving Expert website?
They are very good on there at spelling out what you need to have to hand to hunt down stuff. Normally for free.
I followed their advice for PPI successfully, and I am a total ignoramous who had barely any paperwork.

I must admit that knowing the company was on IW would set alarm bells ringing for me. Not saying IW are sketchy, but pensions advice is regulated for a reason. The company themselves ethically should not be trying to sell their services in this way imo.
Neither are doing this as a for free service, so I guess the wonderful service described be Denniece could either be her gilding the lily, or IW staff got better service than the general public would.

Good point, May. The Money Saving Expert site is very helpful. My understanding from the IW presentation was that My Pension Expert would guide you to the most suitable product. They weren't offering something for nothing. I think the presenter's lily was so gilded she'd need a Ryobi power washer from Ideal World to clean it!

Shame. Do you still have any paychecks from back then?
That might jog their memory. I think that when it comes to Civil Service pensions they may have some rules which allow them to bin off people if they have contributed for only a short while. The number of changes that have happened with pensions in the past 30 years is amazing... it all seemed to set in after the Robert Maxwell Daily Mirror printers pension scandal in my recollection.

One of my "lost" pensions is Civil Service also. I emailed Civil Service Pensions at mycsp.co.uk. Two weeks later I had a reply. Maybe it will help.

Your request for a statement of your deferred pension has been forwarded to our pension experts who will aim to have this issued within 40 working days. If we require any further information we will contact you.

Please note: deferred benefit statements are not issued automatically. However they are available on request.

You can find further information on the Civil Service Pensions website: http://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/

 

[cheeky chappie]

The presenters talk guff, regardless of the products they're flogging.

In short, you can't trust very much of what they say.

Hope you get your pension stuff sorted out

 

[user 22184]

The presenters talk guff, regardless of the products they're flogging.

In short, you can't trust very much of what they say.

Hope you get your pension stuff sorted out

I've got a few years yet, but I'm trying to get in there early and get it sorted in good time. I took my time in the Scouts seriously. "Be prepared". <Wink>

 

[maymorganlondon]

CivilService pension less than 2 years old when you leave, they pay you out at that point as you haven’t been in long enough to defer from what I’ve read.

 

[stratobuddy]

CivilService pension less than 2 years old when you leave, they pay you out at that point as you haven’t been in long enough to defer from what I’ve read.

My service was longer.

 

[Toril]

I’m really glad that my pension was straightforward as I know how many people have had problems sorting theirs out. I taught for 44 years and paid into the teachers’ pension scheme from day one, so when I eventually retired I just rang them and my pension started being paid into my account every month.

Ironically I’m now better off financially than when I was working.

 

[Twilight]

I contacted firms I'd worked for, and in particular, my first job where I was a Civil Servant with a "free" gold-plated pension.

They said they cannot find my records and therefore "that was that", they can't help!

I've left and have an unclaimed pension (deferred) - Civil Service Pension Scheme

www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk

 

[user 22184]

I’m really glad that my pension was straightforward as I know how many people have had problems sorting theirs out. I taught for 44 years and paid into the teachers’ pension scheme from day one, so when I eventually retired I just rang them and my pension started being paid into my account every month.

Ironically I’m now better off financially than when I was working.

I am so in awe of good teachers that I have written this five times! I promise I didn't cut and paste.

I hope you're enjoying your thoroughly well-deserved retirement.
I hope you're enjoying your thoroughly well-deserved retirement.
I hope you're enjoying your thoroughly well-deserved retirement.
I hope you're enjoying your thoroughly well-deserved retirement.
I hope you're enjoying your thoroughly well-deserved retirement.

 

[Toril]

Oh bless you.

Yes, I am enjoying my retirement although I do miss the job.

Initially I was a class teacher and the school’s music teacher and oversaw the choir. Later I was asked to be the SENCo (special educational needs coordinator) and eventually left the classroom to specialise in that field. That meant that I was involved with the whole school, rather than just my class, and also managed the department and oversaw 16 teaching assistants. I would have continued in that role but the Code of Conduct for SEN changed and I didn’t agree with the changes as they were more money orientated than child focused, in my opinion. As I was retirement age the changes came at the right time for me, although I did stay on for another two years teaching small groups on a part time basis before finally “hanging up my mortar board,” so to speak.

Teaching was always in my blood, so much so that I’m now the Special Needs governor at the same school.

 

[Twilight]

Oh bless you.

Yes, I am enjoying my retirement although I do miss the job.

Initially I was a class teacher and the school’s music teacher and oversaw the choir. Later I was asked to be the SENCo (special educational needs coordinator) and eventually left the classroom to specialise in that field. That meant that I was involved with the whole school, rather than just my class, and also managed the department and oversaw 16 teaching assistants. I would have continued in that role but the Code of Conduct for SEN changed and I didn’t agree with the changes as they were more money orientated than child focused, in my opinion. As I was retirement age the changes came at the right time for me, although I did stay on for another two years teaching small groups on a part time basis before finally “hanging up my mortar board,” so to speak.

Teaching was always in my blood, so much so that I’m now the Special Needs governor at the same school.

My daughter & I agree with you; I thoroughly enjoyed my time working for the government, however, it was when my period as a staff trainer was coming to an end, & I wasn't sure what I wanted to do next, that I met someone who suggested the move to teaching. The staff & students I worked with were some of the most wonderful people I've ever known & my daughter, like you, has teaching in her blood.

 

[mpedgreen]

I didn't think this would interest me, but while flicking channels this week there was a show all about a company called My Pension Expert. It made me think about my own situation and what I would need to do before retiring, so I ended up watching until the end.

A clip was shown several times of Denise talking about her joyful experience of MPE, how helpful they were, even finding pensions for her she didn't know she had! She said this had allowed her to pay off all her credit cards, her car loan, and work just two days a week. Who wouldn't want some of that?

The next morning, full of enthusiasm, I dialled the number for MPE. My call was answered within a few rings. A good sign, I thought. They're keen. My pen was poised to write down his name, but I don't think it was ever given, as I don't remember it and my notepad page is blank. I said the magic words, Ideal World, and explained that I'd watched the presentation the previous night and would like to book an appointment, but there was no recognition. He certainly didn't sound friendly like the angel Denise had spoken to. He didn't even ask my name. In fact he sounded like he couldn't give a toss, frankly.

Left feeling foolish and stumbling for something to say, I tried to summarise my financial situation: that I have accumulated quite a few workplace pensions over the years, but after 8 or more house moves had lost track of most of them. Well, if you can't tell me who administrates the funds, the account numbers, names of the CEOs' grandchildren, etc, I can't help you, he said. And that was it. There was certainly no effort made to help me.

I emailed Ideal World and told them how surprised I was that MPE had been so unhelpful given their presenter's experience. A cut and paste reply was received the following day saying they would share my email with the production team, etc. I hope Denise gets to see it.

Maybe I was just unlucky that GrumpyMcGrumpface was on shift when I called, as MPE's feedback is pretty impressive. If you have had a similar, or better, experience of MPE, please let me know.

Hi @madcatman,

My name is Daniel Green, I am the Marketing Director at My Pension Expert. I am sorry to hear that you had a poor experience when contacting our team. As you mention in your post, the feedback we receive from our clients is usually overwhelmingly positive.

I contacted the team at Ideal World to see if they could locate your contact details to pass on to me, but they were unable to do so. If you would be willing, I would like the opportunity to give you a call and see if there is anything we can do to help you and to also get a little more information about your experience so that I can investigate this further.

If you are able to send me your contact details either by emailing [email protected] or by calling us on 01302 639540 I will call you as soon as possible.

I look forward to speaking soon.

 

[Muttley]

Good point, May. The Money Saving Expert site is very helpful. My understanding from the IW presentation was that My Pension Expert would guide you to the most suitable product. They weren't offering something for nothing. I think the presenter's lily was so gilded she'd need a Ryobi power washer from Ideal World to clean it!


One of my "lost" pensions is Civil Service also. I emailed Civil Service Pensions at mycsp.co.uk. Two weeks later I had a reply. Maybe it will help.

Your request for a statement of your deferred pension has been forwarded to our pension experts who will aim to have this issued within 40 working days. If we require any further information we will contact you.

Please note: deferred benefit statements are not issued automatically. However they are available on request.

You can find further information on the Civil Service Pensions website: http://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/

I've been a civil servant for 2 years having previously been a civilian for the Met Police. I was made redundant from the Met in 2011 after 22 years and my pension was deferred and you get no further statements. I wanted to see an up to date document about my pension so emailed civil service pensions.

Yesterday I got an up to date statement showing an increase. And I can claim it at 60, my new civil service pension is age 65. Only 6 years to go...

I don't know if there is a minimum time limit to claim a civil service pension but wait and see what they say. It seemed to take an eternity to get a reply but I did eventually.

Just got to keep healthy enough to enjoy my pension - does anyone have any ideas where I can get fitness equipment (just buy it, check out yer baskets...)

Good luck in your search.

 

[user 22184]

Hi @madcatman,

My name is Daniel Green, I am the Marketing Director at My Pension Expert. I am sorry to hear that you had a poor experience when contacting our team. As you mention in your post, the feedback we receive from our clients is usually overwhelmingly positive.

I contacted the team at Ideal World to see if they could locate your contact details to pass on to me, but they were unable to do so. If you would be willing, I would like the opportunity to give you a call and see if there is anything we can do to help you and to also get a little more information about your experience so that I can investigate this further.

If you are able to send me your contact details either by emailing [email protected] or by calling us on 01302 639540 I will call you as soon as possible.

I look forward to speaking soon.

Thanks for taking an interest in what happened, @mpedgreen, but I am in the process of getting pension advice elsewhere at the moment.

Regards.