S1 Early Retiree - loophole maybe

I've just had a brainwave regarding S1 forms and entitlement. I was an early retiree (60) and had no problems getting my S1 forms from Newcastle albeit I didn't move to Spain right away so they are only valid until Jan 2014.

However, as I was born in July 1951 I am entitled to various benefits (due to equality I guess) exactly the same as a woman of the same age e.g. Winter Fuel Payment, concessionary bus travel (if I was living in UK of course) SO - a woman of the same age would be entitled to an S1 form with no expiry date so why shouldn't I be??

Could be a good one to have a go at the burocrats with and I will pen an email to see what response I get.

I suspect the let out will be that I am not in receipt of a pension but then why Winter Fuel payment!!

Worth a try?

fyfin

how long after you got your S1 dd you move to spain? and werethere any problems in the uk or in spain when you went to register at the health centre

thanks

Well I got my reply and it was as expected but some useful info nevertheless -

Thank you for your email.

With regard to your query, during the interim period between your S1 expiring and becoming a state pensioner it appears as though you will have to pay to access healthcare. At the moment the Spanish government is in the process of introducing a scheme (or Convenio Especial) where people can pay a monthly quota to access public healthcare. This cover would cover any pre-existing conditions. Unfortunately no details have been released on how to join this scheme at the moment. We do know that it will be managed by regional health authorities. I would recommend you to enquire at your local healthcare centre on joining this scheme closer to the time when your S1 will expire.

Regarding extending your S1/E106, this is not possible as far as I know. Please call the Overseas Healthcare Team if you feel you have not received the full extent of your entitlements. They can be reached on 00 44 191 218 1999.

Convenio Especial can be found here:

http://www.empleo.gob.es/es/Guia/texto/guia_14/contenidos/guia_14_32_2.htm

It is rather too long for me reproduce it here in Engluish, but those interested can go to:-

http://www.bing.com/translator/?mkt=es-us  and paste it in. 

The translation is 'reasonably' good.

I'm not sure this is the convenio especial linked to ex pats Elaine but I will wait til closer to Jan 2014 and take advice I think.

Many thanks.

I still haven't registered at the Health Centre and I hope to do that next week. I'm getting some help from an interpreter who I know as I think without a tarjeta sanitaria they might be confused. I can't get one of those until I am a UK state pensioner so all I have is my S1 form which was stamped and registered at the INSS office in Huercal Overa but expires in Jan 2014. I got the S1 forms just before leaving UK permanently (the easiest part of the whole operation).