I’ve just replied, thanks Helen, let me know if you don’t get it, many thanks.
Thanks Jacquie, there’s no number on any of the letters we get. Sooooo, I’ll take a deep breath and use tomorrow to try and brush up my French ready for Thursday.
Even though you have provided Lloyds documentation, they may be looking for something with an IBAN and BIC clearly shown, ideally with the bank logo, your name, and the account number all together on one document.
Some people have had success by downloading a PDF statement or confirmation letter from online banking that shows this information clearly, or by requesting a formal letter from the bank specifically listing your IBAN and BIC.
If they continue to reject it, another option is to use a French or Eurozone bank account to receive the payments, and then transfer the funds to your UK account.
I solved the problem, as stated in an earlier post, by visiting a larger branch of Lloyds, presenting them with the French pension authority document, and getting them to rubber stamp (twice) and sign it. This was acceptable to the CARSAT office.
The problem is quite simply that the French want a stamp on every document and other countries don’t have this as a general rule.
I have already deduced that every document CARSAT handles has, in true French style, to be exactly the format they specify. I had 38 years of dealing with French administration, and nothing has changed.
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Hi Jacquie, here’s an update on my pension claim …
After you advised me last June, I emailed the DWP and asked what I should do. It took them a long time to reply, and so I kept on sending reminders.
Eventually I heard back from the DWP, and they advised to fill out a CFN901 pension claim form, return to them, and they would act on my behalf with France.
I did all this, then they discovered that I had already sent them the information in 2021, so actually I didnt need to do it.
Since then I’ve heard nothing, and am waiting for the DWP or l’Assurance Retrait to contact me. My French pension should start at the end of September, when I turn 67, but it seems unlikely now - unless l’Assurance Retrait spring into action!
You’ve made progress! Just ensure that you answer any/all requests for information, no matter how silly it may seem. Do not assume that because you have already answered the question in one letter, you can ignore it. Things get passed to different people, and each person expects to see a full set of documents with each reply - they don’t seem capable of going back through the file to find a piece of paper.
For example, the livret de famille question - you may not have one and may not have been able to obtain one. They will know this, but will ask you anyway.
I have been convinced for years that if the British invented Red Tape, the French have perfected it.
Hi Jacquie
A few weeks ago the DWP called me and said they were sending the CFN901 to the French pension Normandy office. I’ve heard nothing back yet from Normandy, even though my pension should have started about a month ago. i’m resigned to the fact that I’m going to have to wait longer, and they will hopefully back date the pension.
I’m considering phoning them to give them a nudge. My French is very rusty and pretty awful now, so it could be very frustrating, but maybe I need to start nagging them?
Thanks again for all your help and encouragement!
Is it worth sending emails? I found this email address:
L’Assurance retraite Normandie
Calvados (14), Eure (27), Manche (50), Orne (61), Seine-Maritime (76)
Mon contact : conseil.entreprise@carsat-normandie.fr
Site carsat-normandie.fr
Give Carsat a call. It’s the international department, so I expect they’re used to people whose French is rusty.
Perhaps you fear that opening the conversation is difficult. Start with “Je vous appelle pour savoir si vous pouvez m’indiquer l’état d’avancement de mon dossier”.
then “Est-ce que vous avez besoin d’informations complémentaires?”.
You’ll manage. Just ensure that you remain polite and calm. Lots of “Merci beaucoup Madame/Monsieur” will help your case!
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Jacquie, have you rang them and had someone answer the phone? We’ve tried but they’ve never answered the phone.
I spoke to them several times. They don’t take phone calls on a Wednesday though.
You have to be very persistent!
Thanks Jacquie, I’ll keep trying.
Thanks Jacquie
Yes starting the conversation is difficult, and these lines are very handy.
Will try tomorrow and again every week. I’ve been far too patient with them.
Sorry to be a nuisance, but is the number you call on, 2350 34570 ?
I should have updated on this thread . After a very, very long wait I’ve finally received my French pension, I didn’t get to speak to anyone but have gently hassled them on my espace personnel.
My wait was dragged out because I’d been ill and money was the last thing on my mind, so I’m happy to take some of the blame. But it does seem that for foreigners it can be around a year after you expected payment.
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Not if you live here, I only had to wait a couple of months for my two other french ones and then backdated.
Well done Debby.
I have a French colleague who’s just retired here in Alsace and she’s been warned it’ll be months before she starts receiving her French pension.
Shiba, I should have said that I’d returned to the Uk, apologies, mine has been backdated and interest added too. French government departments may be slow sometimes but they do add interest, in my experience.
Dealing with French bureaucracy always adds interest to life, it seems. 
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I don’t know if this is correct but I’ve been told they’re understaffed and the dept. etrangers has very few staff and their time is shared with processing French claims, which is perfectly understandable.