Hi folks, advice based on experience hoped for..... Has anyone worked as an independent in Belgium and now retired?
I worked self-employed in Brussels for 3 years around 20 years ago, paying into an authorised social security fund as required by Belgian law. I am now 65 and repatriated to the UK to retire a few years ago. My pension pot must be tiny.
I have contacted the Belgian pension authority via the UK pensions agency, looking to claim some kind of rebate? or micro-pension?...... Still awaiting their decision. The process is very slow and meticulous - I have no problem with that.
Does anyone know what the rules or my rights are? ... If they grant me a pension, can I claim a lump-sum rebate? ......or transfer of my tiny pension-pot to a UK fund? It can't be worth the admin costs to send me 2 Euros per month for life. That is not in anyone's interest.
What can I expect to happen? (aside from mild disappointment)
Many thanks in advance
Self employed - Belgian pension rights/rules?
Hi,
As self-employed you paid for your pension during work in belgium. Belgian pension fund should have your record of payment . This pension fund ( I presume it is INASTI - https://www.inasti.be/fr but there is also English https://www.nisse.be/en but not so detailed as Franch) regularly send a notice that you will be 65 and has right to get the pension. Maybe your address wasn't accurate, but you still can ask the Belgian fund the state of your request ( I don't know how UK bureaucracy is efficient). This request should not cost you a dime! Amount of your pension depends how much you paid for social security .
For example I have paid cca 2100 EUR for 8 months and my pension is 85 EUR/year (which is more then zero)
So my advice is to contact them and get what you have paid!
Kind regards and good luck! Be patient!
Sasha
Thanks Sasha - that was helpful
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