KhunHeineken

Another member started a thread recently that Microsoft has now blocked the work arounds that many were using to install Windows 11 on incompatible hardware. Check it out.

I have no problem with that. Feel free to put me on your ignore list. It makes it easier for those who want to seriously discuss the issue. Funny thing is though, YOU are not on the aged pension either.

I might not even be able to exchange AUD there, the way it's going.

Firstly, the question was not put to you. The question was put to the member Scorecard, who, at various stages has posted he is on a Vet's pension, and then at other stages, has posted he's on the old aged pension, and how kind the Centerlink call center staff are when he makes inquiries about it. He's also posted a lot about portability, something Vet's don't have a problem with. In fact, I know a few Vet's in Thailand and had some brief discussions with them about it. I specifically remember him posting his 2 year stay in Australia for portability was in a Vet's village, and how easy the 2 years was for him because it. So, he's either a Vet, on a Vet's pension, or he's not. I called him out on it a while ago, and his reply was, "You are on my ignore list." Funny that. So, I, and others, smelt BS. Yet, he has never gone on the record as to, exactly, just what pension he's on, because they are VERY different pensions, with VERY different entitlements. I have posted before I am not on an aged pension. Posted it months ago. No secret. I have also posted before I will not receive an aged pension, without shifting assets, and my accountant working some magic. All legal, of course. I have no problem admitting after working and paying a lot of tax, I do feel somewhat "entitled" when that day comes. My post count on this thread is high because a long time ago I got wind of the proposed changes to Australia's 90 year old tax residency laws. I'm sure you have seen them. Basically, just like Thailand, Australia is looking to change to a physical presence and time based model, from a "domiciled" model. I posted those changes and got an avalanche of crazy reasons why it will never happen. Everything from Paul Hogan, to having a Medicare Card, even Albo has been voted in, so it's never going to happen. I replied to every serious post, and also every personal attack, baiting, flame, troll, abusive, hate, ridicule etc post, thus, a high post count. Also got sent on a posting holiday. As I have said, the proposed changes are the single biggest issue facing members reading this thread, and I stand by that. What's there to talk about in relation to portability? Do tell? It's been done to death. There was a lot of debate, but at the end of the day, what was established was: 1) The pension is deemed an income. 2) The pension is taxable. 3) Someone who is living in Thailand WILL BE deemed a non resident when the proposed changes are passed. Many already are anyway, including myself. 4) The proposed changes have no means testing, thresholds, or exemptions in them. 5) Non resident tax is 30% from $0 to $135,000. Members still believe there's nothing to worry about, and that's fine. I'm just interested in why, with some more substance to their post other than Hoges, Medicare Cards, and Albo. Indeed, the psychology behind not wanting to consider the possibility these changes will have any impact, whatsoever, was also discussed. You see, pensioners may get an increase, but the pensioners back home are going backwards. Eg. electricity, gas, water, rates, food, petrol etc etc. Nothing that we care about here, because it's cheap living, but the government, who is in record debt, may just want a piece of the non resident tax pie, and that could include pensioners, possibly as collateral damage. Yet, no one wants to put the jigsaw puzzle with the five things above together to even think it's possible. We already know Immigration inform Centerlink after 6 weeks out, so supplements are cut off. Is putting the ATO in that loop such a giant step forward that is too far for a computer to do???? The Brit expats get their pension frozen when they leave. Maybe Australia wants to tax pensions. Same Same, but different. Who knows? What I do know is times are changing, Australia is in record debt, and chasing every dollar they can get. Members posted, "they will not target pensioners." I never said expat pensioners will be "targeted." All I have ever said is they very well may be collateral damage. Members posted, "pensioners will be up in arms." I asked, who went to the Embassy in Bangkok last election and voted. No reply. So why would pensioners in Australia give a sh*t about pensioners living it up in Thailand and Bali etc? So, to summarize, there's been a lot of funny posts put forward why it will not / can not happen, but little in the way of substance as to why, hence, one more post to my count on this thread. Now, if you can post a reason why all the above five things WILL NOT line up to cause pensioners ANY grief at all, I'm all eyes.

Not sure what country you are from, but in my home country, she could open an account, and a term deposit. The term deposit accounts are currently paying around 5%. She could let it roll, all have the interest put into a current account annually, that can be pulled out with an ATM card in Thailand. Or, through internet banking. Eg. Wise, also. You could probably get an account that pays a bit less interest, but interest transferred to the current account monthly, so available for use on a monthly basis, with the capital still sitting there. Of course, I would inquire about how she could close the account from overseas, when that day come for you, thus, no visa for her. Simple. Solid. Easy. Guaranteed. Just check on the closing of the account from abroad, and of course, the interest rate may not be always 5%, but better than Thailand rates, and no speculation in stock markets. Just something to consider.

I think you missed the point that most are concerned about. That is, their meagre pension is contracting in value. The purchasing power of their transferred funds is shrinking. Basically, their lifestyle may have to change.

I agree. An argument lost on many members in the Australian Forum - Old Aged Pension thread, also. Article 18 of the Thai / Australia DTA relies on the "provisions" of Article 19, and Article 19 is about "government service." pensions, not "government pensions" as in, welfare, or benefits as it's known in some European countries. There is a difference. One member posted in the Australia Forum, and I quote, "Forget about Article 19" yet in this Forum, advised another Australian member he would have to pay tax under Article 19 of the DTA. Go figure. Every DTA is different, yet, have a lot of similarities, particularly when it comes to pensions.

Answer to that problem is, tighten up on foreign ownership. Eg. more tax. Boils down to, current owners will have a declining market, and new builds/ developers a declining market also. There's already a massive oversupply of property in the market in all of the major tourist areas. The Thai's don't want to cause a "market correction." They just want more of a slice of the "market." Get the balance wrong, and, well, the market could tank, but the oversupply was already pushing prices lower anyway, yet, they keep building, and building.

I agree. Start buying land in Issan, a house, a farm, a shop, a bar etc etc, then all bets are off. Rent, and do not buy, including "company" and one could have a long and comfortable life, retiring early, Thailand. It's nothing new, and well documented. Keep it "real" here and enjoy. Start shifting liquidating assets in Australia and shifting cash here, based on emotion, and you roll the dice.

The RBA are in a difficult position. Mortgage stress across the country is very high. https://www.mpamag.com/au/news/general/majority-of-australian-homeowners-face-mortgage-stress/489375 "More than half of Australian homeowners are grappling with mortgage stress, with research commissioned by Aussie revealing that 52.5% of them are allocating over half of their income to mortgage payments, and 16% are struggling to meet repayments due to rising interest rates." Raise rates, and they could collapse the Australian housing market Ponzi scheme. Lower rates, and inflation rises again. The inflation rate is already higher than what the RBA would like, and has been for quite a while. Whilst you may enjoy higher interest rates on your savings, just think about what happens to the AUD is the Australian housing market tanks.

Wait till when we lose our AAA rating and see what happens to the AUD. http://australiandebtclock.com.au

What a great health care system.

What floor is the condo on?

Why do you think they are an idiot? They know they have falang by the b*lls. They have squeezed them for years. They are just squeezing more now. It's always been this way. Why are you surprised?

Can you show me. ANYWHERE, in that link where it mentions living overseas, full time? I did like this part though: " Please Note: The information in the above blog post is general in nature and should not be relied upon as detailed advice that applies to everyone. Each person’s individual circumstances will decide whether or not they need to lodge a tax return." Here's the non resident tax bracket. The pension is deemed an income. The pension is taxable. You WILL BE outside of Australia for 183 days, thus, a non resident for tax purposes. Do you see $0 to $135,000? Can you post a link, from anywhere, showing a old age pensioner does not have to pay non resident tax? Foreign resident tax rates 2024–25 Taxable income Tax on this income 0 – $135,000 30c for each $1

But, they would never check for tax residency purposes, right? Yes, and a lot of members are unhappy with it, but you can see the tax payers point, right? Only for those who have burnt their bridges back in Australia. The old golden rule, don't put anything into Thailand you are not prepared to lose. Many sold up and moved their life saving here, now can't even afford to live in Australia for 2 years. Guess what, many Aussie expats have kept a property to go back to in Australia, either for their 2 years pension portability phase, or for a serious injury / illness, and even end of life. Not everyone has sold up back in Australia and moved it all to Thailand / Issan. Many have planned ahead for their 2 years come pension age, and beyond. If you didn't, why whinge here?

Those people are here, just not here for more than 180 days. Simple.

That's the 65k baht a month method. The 800k baht method generally means you use some / all of the 800k, and top it up near extension time. Very funny if the account shows a solid 800k, with no out goings and no in comings, and you are still living here. If so, question, what law have you broken? Ahhhh, tax evasion I hear some saying. Tax evasion, or tax minimization? Might be some interesting scapegoat falang legal cases in the media next year. It's going to be entertaining.

That would tend to show you are not residing in Thailand full time. so not an expat. Is that correct? Agree. Horror stories everywhere. It's just most tend to be from the public system. Why is that? Do you have a link for that? Yeah, so would I. Example: if I cut my finger slicing some food in the kitchen and need a few stitches. Other than than, Medicare can be poor medical treatment, and untimely. Sounds good, don't you think? Who wouldn't sign up for that? So, you are not really an expat. Say you lived in Thailand full time. What would you do? Medicare is free, and you get what you pay for, and that is, who they want for the job, and when they want to do the job. No thanks, not for me. Yes, it's expensive, but what price do you put on your health / life?

You continually to refuse to answer the absolute simplest question put to you. That is, which pension are you on? A Vet's pension, or the Aged pension. You have posted like you receive both, and you can't. So, go on the record. What pension are you on? Simple question, really.

Started.

I don't see the trolling in that post. It's a case of poor medical treatment, resulting in death, in the same hospital that your friend is praising. I didn't go off topic on the pension thread with health insurance, but at your request, and another member's suggestion, I have started a thread on the topic.

The topic of relying on Medicare in Australia for major medical treatment, versus private health insurance, either in Thailand, or Australia, has been raised in the Aged Pension Thread, which off topic in that thread. Two members have suggested starting a specific thread on the topic. The below is not a poll, just some questions that may categorize members, and perhaps they can explain why they have chosen their particular strategy. 1) Do you have private health insurance covering you in Thailand? 2) Do you have private health insurance in Australia? 3) Do you have private health insurance in both Thailand and Australia? 4) Are you uninsured? 5) Are you self insured, or self funded? If I have missed an option, feel free to post it. I have private health insurance in Australia, and in Thailand. I have openly stated I do not have faith in the public Medicare system in Australia to properly treat me, and in a timely manner. The main reasons for this is you do not get to chose your doctor, so you could get someone very inexperienced, or not as competent, and the waiting list for elective surgery being years for some operations. I know I can not claim on the Australian private health insurance policy inside Australia. My strategy is, if I need some type of elective surgery, like a knee or hip replacement, I will fly back to Australia, get a top surgeon, and my own room in a private hospital, and the operation will be done within days, or weeks. The insurance company will pick up most of the bill. There may be a "gap" to pay, which I am prepared for. Should I have a motorbike accident in Thailand, for example, and need emergency treatment, to the point I can not board a plane, then I take my chances with what doctor I get in Thailand, and the insurance company pays the bill here. So, I am in group 3.

Maybe your friend is lucky he didn't get staff that killed this guy at St. George Hospital. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-31/adam-fitzpatrick-inquest-finds-doctors-conduct-unsatisfactory/103040812 "To help him breathe, staff performed a tracheostomy, inserting a tube into Mr Fitzpatrick's neck. According to the coroner's report, Mr Fitzpatrick's breathing tube became dislodged which medical staff did not notice in time, resulting in a lack of oxygen to his brain. On August 25, a perfusion scan confirmed Mr Fitzpatrick's brain death and he was pronounced dead that afternoon."

Not everyone has a VA Gold Card, although you still have not confirmed what pension you are actually on.