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Being an old bastard, I’m in the process of applying for my pension.

Which is a bit complicated, given that I’ve worked in 3 countries, all of which have to get their act together in order for the Pension People here in Germany to work out what pittance they’ll begrudgingly pay me, starting at the beginning of next month.

Which is also a prerequisite for my company pension.

Also a pittance.

So I started the process rolling about 6 months ago, got all the stuff from the UK that they wanted (didn’t bother to tell them about New Zealand, to be honest – wasn’t that long and I only earned bugger all, anyway) and sent it of to the Whateveritis Ministry in Berlin.

Hadn’t heard for a bit, so I had a chat with them just now. “Oh, yes, we’ve initiated the procedure for England, but I don’t know how long THAT’s going to take. Two to three months, for sure“

After a slightly more forceful chat which went something along the lines of……

“I’m not too keen on the idea of your intention of depriving me of ANY INCOME for the next 4 months. Given that I only worked in the UK for 5 years in the late 60s’/early 70’s (and earned sod-all and threepence) and that I’ve worked in Germany for the past 35 years, wouldn’t it be a GOOD IDEA to calculate my pension based on my German employment history, issue a provisional pension calculation (so that I can apply for my company pension) and then adjust later as necessary?”…

…..they all of a sudden ALSO thought that it would be a GOOD IDEA and there was the sound of much scurrying and the scratching of quills on parchment and they’re going to contact me by semaphore this very afternoon.

This could be fun……