How Can I Claim My Jamaican NIS Pension from the UK?

Question from Junior Bent, Milton Keynes, UK:

"I worked in Jamaica as a classroom teacher from 1981 to 2001. I am now retired and want to claim my NIS contribution. I am presently living in the UK and retired. How do I go about this?"

Answer by Wellesley:

Hi Junior, thank you for your question, and more importantly, for your many years of service as a classroom teacher in Jamaica. You absolutely can claim your National Insurance Scheme (NIS) pension from overseas—including from the UK—as long as you meet the eligibility requirements and follow the correct process.

Since you worked in Jamaica from 1981 to 2001, you would likely have made NIS contributions over that 20-year span. If you’ve reached retirement age (currently 65 for men), you can apply to start receiving your pension payments—even while living abroad.

The first step is to complete the NIS Pension Application Form (NIS-P), which is available on the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) website. If you cannot access it online, you can request it by contacting the Jamaican High Commission in the UK.

You’ll also need supporting documents such as your TRN, proof of Jamaican citizenship, birth certificate, employment records, and a notarized declaration or signature verification—usually done through the Jamaican High Commission in London.

Once completed, your documents can be submitted to the Jamaican High Commission, who will forward them to the NIS office in Jamaica. You may also set up direct deposit to a UK bank account once the application is approved.

Finally, after receiving your pension, you’ll need to submit a life certificate annually. This ensures that you continue to receive your pension without interruption. The certificate must be signed by a recognized official and notarized if completed outside Jamaica.

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