I seem to be in much the same situation. Diagnosed with MM a couple of years ago, followed by a bone Marrow transplant 18 months ago (Sept 2011).
Had a private pension plan back in the early 80s and didn't qualify /couldn't pay in after a couple of years (yes, house was repossessed in late 80s as well).
Pension pot now worth just over 30k which would give me about 7,500 lump sum and a poorly less than 29 pounds a week to supplement my state pension (not a UK citizen).
Therefore, I estimate that if I live another 5 years, I will receive a grand total of 15k out of my 30k pot. I am single and have no relatives to inherit any estate – so who gets the other 15k – certainly not me.
Was I mis-sold my pension? No one told me that I would not receive my entire pension.
To wait until one is in such a state, just about at death's door, that one can't actually make any real use of one's pension is not on.
There need to be a change in the law – the USA and Australia both seem to have access to a pension pot in severe circumstances.
Furthermore, I don't even live in the UK and haven't done so for over 25 years yet i seem to be restricted to UK laws.
