Radio advertisement - XtraPension

[Corola]

I heard an advert on RTE Radio One today about boosting your UK state pension. Thought it was a public service announcement but turns out it's for a company that will fill in and send off your form for you... for a fee of €1,000! Quite shocking.

Fees New

XtraPension offers an easy fixed-cost service that is payable over an 8+ month period to help people get (or maximise) their UK State Pension.

www.xtrapension.com

 

[DannyBoyD]

Absolutely no need to pay anyone.

 

[T McGibney]

If the charging of a set fee by a service provider in return for delivery of a service shocks you, you're easily shocked.

 

[Corola]

€1,000 for a service DannyBoyD has provided on this forum for hundreds of people for free, is indeed shocking.

 

[T McGibney]

"We also chase HMRC if there are any non-standard delays or issues or with your application.

Guidance on HMRC Reply: 34% of people entitled to increase their UK pension very cheaply via this process choose not to because they’re unclear / unsure of the final very valuable steps. We explain and guide you clearly through this important process."

Unless they're actually lying here, I don't see a problem.

Their logo is terrible though.

 

[Brendan Burgess]

Most people could apply using Danny's great guide.

But a lot of people are just not comfortable with form filling and pursuing such applications.

For them, €1,000 may be money well spent if they would otherwise be put off from applying.

 

[Brendan Burgess]

Their logo is terrible though.

I wonder do they give out free videos with every application?

 

[Leper]

In my working days throughout the public/civil service it was not unusual for many people to fail to fill out simple forms. In fact, many feared filling out forms. But, some geek charging €1000.00 for doing such simple work - Come Onnnnnnnn!

 

[ClubMan]

In my working days throughout the public/civil service it was not unusual for many people to fail to fill out simple forms. In fact, many feared filling out forms. But, some geek charging €100.00 for doing such simple work

Some people also get their figures completely wrong.

 

[Annieindublin]

The money back guarantee seems like a good safety net.

I know quite a few people who are reluctant to engage in the process and maybe paying a fee to someone else would get them over the hump.

But tracking down details of NI number is a hurdle for some and I’m not sure anyone can help with that. Patience and a bit of tracking down old addresses etc is what’s needed there.

 

[DannyBoyD]

I know quite a few people who are reluctant to engage in the process

Tempted to set up a rival site, but they have to make donation to nominated charity.

 

[jim]

I, myself, did pay a guy to do it for me a few yrs ago but it was only a 2 or 3 hundred as i recall

 

[magscollins]

I also nearly paid a company but while I was waiting for my NI number to be posted to me I read right through this site and then realised I could do it myself. It can be daunting for some people. In saying that €1000 is too much to charge.

 

[mathepac]

I did my own online and found DWP site and help systems simple and effective to use.

Good Start Point IME

A grand? Not a snowball's!!

 

[Conorc]

Hi, I heard the add and checked the website. They are saying you could be entitled if you worked for one year?
My partner worked in the UK for 2 years. Left in 2002. Can she claim a pension? Pay going forward or back pay?
I've done it for myself but I presumed it was 3 years.

 

[Threadser]

I also worked for two years in the UK but when I checked my NI record it says I have 3 years full contributions paid as my two years spanned 3 tax years. I only worked one tax year in full and part of the the other two years but paid enough NI during that time to have those years fully credited. It is definitely worthwhile applying, but you can easily do so yourself without needing to pay an agent.