dontoearth

On 7/20/2019 at 5:17 AM, MeePeeMai said:

You forgot to mention that they can also change from day to day and from officer to officer.

  When I had trouble renewing my retirement visa at CW many thai friends said go back on another day and you will get a different officer should be fine.  LOL.  It is the thai way.

9 hours ago, Jingthing said:

You can do anything you want with the money but that would be a bad reason to take it early, just to bank it.

Many people in recent years are doing something similar. They are talking it early without needing it and putting that money in the stock market. They feel they can beat the stock market compared to the built in increases by delaying starting the claim.

Well by recent stock market history they can, but longer term, they can't. 

     I put mine in investments thru the Roth IRA.  No taxes upon withdrawl and I had a lower tax rate as work wound down during the year not giving me a full year income.   I had a unique situation that I would not accumulate more benefits because of penalties from having a govt. pension in the USA.  I did two Social Security office interviews and one consultation so I was well informed about the penalties.  

4 hours ago, MeePeeMai said:

I already looked into it and went to the SS office in Hilo Hawaii.  They said I fall under the GPO (government Pension Offset) since I retired from the County of Hawaii and have a government pension from the State of Hawaii Employees Retirement System for life.  I also signed up online with the Social Security website and they gave me my benefit amount at various ages etc after plugging in everything.

 

They have a formula and go by the monthly amount of your pension vs how many quarters you have contributed to Social Security.  Unfortunately, I lost 50 percent of my future benefits (although there is a large movement calling for the repeal of the WEP and GPO which up until now has not been successful but they are continuing the fight and hopefully by the time I am ready to file for my benefit, I will be able to get closer to 100 percent).

 

I paid in for 30 calendar years but do not quite have 120 quarters (since for example some years I only worked a contributing job for 6 months).  

  yes I understand that.  I had 27 years in under SS but also got a state pension.  They eliminated about 10 early years when I was young and out just out of high school.  They insisted it didn't meet the yearly minimum income requirements.  There seems to be rule after rule when you get into the WEP rules.  My penalty was about 41%.  It is unlikely the WEP will be repealed unless their is a huge swing in the US senate which has refused to hear various repeal bills.

Can I just say you can collect your social security or other pension and just bank the money if you don't need it.  It seems everyone believes you have to spend it.  

On 7/18/2019 at 12:12 PM, MeePeeMai said:

Another consideration for some (and not known to many) is the WEP and GPO otherwise known as the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset.  These are a big deal for me because I lose 50% of my Social Security benefit when I take it (I'm only 58 now).

 

The reason I get penalized is because I have a government pension for the rest of my life even though I paid into social security for more than 30 years, I still get penalized for having another pension.  It's not fair but it's just the way it is.  Therefore, I plan to wait as long as I can to claim my SS benefits so as to maximize my monthly take and minimize my losses so to speak.

  U need to get some more advice.  At 30 years of pay-in to social security the WEP penalty is removed.  It is phased out between years 20-30.  You may have a pleasant surprise awaiting you.

     The major problem with all of this is that MOST of these men are not rich.  The money they are spending on their thai sweetie is their entire lifetime earnings and savings and investments.  They need to repeat after me,"When the wallet is flat you will be tossed aside and lonely just as you were before and broke."   Is a year of good times worth the whole life time effort you worked to build a comfortable nest egg?  Next question,"What happens when this inevitably doesn't work out?"   Will you have enough to still be comfortable in your golden years?

      Just my two cents.  And yeah, I am hanging on to my wallet!  All potential sweeties are told that I am a poor monthly pensioner!  Just can barely scrap and get bye, not more than that,  hope prices don't go up much at tops and the landlord don't raise the room rent!  ????????????  Amazing how many potential 'true loves' move right on.  If it is near the end of the month bitch a lot about how little money you have left before you have to wait for more.

4 hours ago, Aforek said:

Can an airline refuse a passenger if he has paid already his seat ? 

   In the US it is up to the final boarding crew.  Almost all carriers here in the USA would have demanded he get off and pay for the two additional seats.  They no longer supply overweight passengers with extra seats for free.  EVA is not a US carrier but I would assume security at the airport would have removed the passenger if they had complained about his seat use.

13 hours ago, robblok said:

Again I am not equating a fast for a few days with what I am talking about, it has been clearly demonstrated that lack of food. Below from the Minnesota experiment. Shows exactly what I have been describing. 

 

https://cfe.keltyeatingdisorders.ca/news/effects-starvation-behavior-implications-dieting-and-eating-disorders

 

The experimental procedures involved selecting volunteers who were the most physically and psychologically robust. “The psychobiologic ‘stamina’ of the subjects was unquestionably superior to that likely to be found in any random or more generally representative sample of the population” (pp. 915-916).

Although the subjects were psychologically healthy prior to the experiment, most experienced significant emotional deterioration as a result of semistarvation. Most subjects experienced periods during which their emotional distress was quite severe; almost 20 percent had extreme emotional deterioration that markedly interfered with their functioning. Depression became more severe during the course of the experiment

     The minnesota experiment is forced starvation.  It is not fasting.  Long discredited work by a long discredit research on the military payrolls and later the beef and sugar payrolls.

13 hours ago, robblok said:

Shows, i am talking about were good and not on youtube. They were not aimed at weight loss or fasting. It was just something that happened and it clearly shows that fasting for a long period (more then 72 hours) combined with exercise (in their case work) leads to huge emotional swings and total weakness. Instead of dismissing it you should look at it and see what I mean. 

 

It has of course no impact on people who do a 72 hour fast or people who fast longer but do nothing. 

 

Your right about research it can be used in so many bad ways and can be used to sell supplements and stuff. You do have to look who funded it and why. I like https://examine.com/   for information. 

 

    There are many hospital observational studies maybe 100 done by Jason Fung in a hospital setting with measurements by hospital workers.  The results are in his books and some articles and youtube studies.  He just does not report weakness and emotional swings.  In fact the patient that fast the longest around 300 days actually became so bored he joined all the hospital clubs and won an award for his excellent personality.  Many people didn't know he was a patient.  Since no one is going to be building shelter or running around naked in downtown Toronoto I don't think he ever did a study with those variables.  

     I read examine every once in a awhile 2.  I like the division of the studies from lab, to animal to human.  Sort of sick all sorts of miracles drugs and medical procedures reported that don't ever work outside of a test tube.  

Not dissing anyone not picking any fights, but reality television shows are not a good place to get any realistic medical or nutritional device.  They are just entertainment.  Dozens of reality shows have been busted as nothing but setups and come ons to keep viewers tuned in to the show. 

I prefer fantasy shows on TV like 100, Gotham, GOT, Shadowhunters.  I like TV to entertain me.  There are science shows and documentaries on diet and exercise but I would not take away anything from a show called "naked and afraid."   It is just a giant reality come on to get you to watch.  I have friends that watch it.  I just wouldn't bother.

9 hours ago, WaveHunter said:

Off topic but have to confess that I have a weak spot for McDonalds.  I know it's bad for me but it tastes so good LOL!  It's funny how good it actually tastes and how terrible I feel within minutes of finishing it, and yet time will pass and the craving for it will return.  Luckily I only fall prey to it a few times a year.  Unfortunately, I walk past McDonalds almost every day and for the last few weeks I've been walking past a little slower than I should LOL!

   The longer I stay away from mcdonald's the more likely the salty hi-carb food is to make me feel sick even before I finish it.  Keep walking on bye!  

On 2/25/2019 at 7:35 AM, WaveHunter said:

Great post!  I was in the same situation with regard to HBP and being pre-diabetic as well.  Doctor insisted meds were the only option and it would be a life-long commitment.  My reaction was the same as yours; I did my own reading for several weeks and decided that nutrition, not meds could address the problem...and it proved to be a great decision!

 

What was really remarkable to me is how fast my high blood pressure and pre-diabetic condition responded to proper nutrition.  My key decision was to cut sugar and heavily processed foods from my diet; nothing really that radical, or difficult to do.  Blood pressure responded literally in a matter of weeks, and on my next blood tests a few months later my A1C and other markers were in the normal range.  I am still stunned to realize that poor nutrition could play such a powerful role in such serious health conditions.  

 

My doctor was pleased, even surprised how well his prescribed meds caused this turnaround.  When I told him I had not filled the prescriptions he was very annoyed with me!  I couldn't believe his reaction.  He was actually angry with me and told me he could no longer be my physician if I was unwilling to follow HIS advice!  I was actually speechless.  Of course that was OK with me because I had already decided I was no longer going to be his patient.  I have since found a great GP who believes in proactive health and not just reaching for a prescription pad.

 

Hippocrates, who lived around 400 B.C. said “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”  Some advice is timeless!  These days it's too bad more physicians don't embrace this sentiment.

   I had the same reaction from my doctor.  I went on a 21 day vegan diet and my cholesterol and bp cleaned up perfectly.  He told he had never seen such a quick response to the meds.  I told him I was just following nutritional advice.  He told me he had serious patients that really needed him.  So I guess he is off killing other people.  ????  I had made the decision to let him go but he made breaking up so easy. 

There are so many options.  I think a poll should just say 

will you do long-term Stay!

or will you Go!

Then you have some real info.

I am not going to do a long term stay again ever after more than 30 years of spending anywhere from 3 to 9 months a year in TH.  I have had at least 3 one year retirement visas.  I will come for under 30 days visa exempt and see old friends.  

My long winter stays will be elsewhere.

On 2/16/2019 at 3:16 AM, NightSky said:

Since posting Ive received private PM's thank you - I will see any good hospital for diagnosis, then seek lower cost treatments once I understand the correct diagnosis.

    Exactly the right thing to do!  It is so shocking how many people on this forum just decide on a drug or a treatment and go right out to get it from practically anyone .   Remember after the treatments start before heading off for a more inexpensive treatment option get measured again to make sure your deficient levels have improved properly.  I got NO results from the testosterone Androgel.  1 in 5 don't according to its manufacturer. So the 4 months I spent with a rather expensive clinic did me ZERO good.  I did find a good clinic tho.'   And consider a little exercise.  It does wonders.  Whatever you can handle.  Good Luck

On 2/15/2019 at 6:35 PM, GalaxyMan said:

Big Pharma and Big Ag are the money behind the lobbying efforts to keep marijuana illegal, as they have been since the 1930s when they realized the threat cheaply grown marijuana posed and still poses to their chemical empires. DuPont is at the top of that list.

   And even more entrenched our Federal Drug Enforcement Agency spends 25% of its enforcement money on pot.  

   If you will pardon the pun the homegrown legalize pot movement seems to be taking off.  I live in Illinois and our governor wants it by the end of the year.  11 states have legalized and 13 have decriminalized it.  The magic 35 number seems just around the corner.

    I don't smoke it or enjoy it but hate seeing my tax dollars wasted on enforcement of our draconian laws.

14 hours ago, AlaskaDave said:

I hope many Thai farmers who can't make much money selling rice turn to marijuana cultivation.  The more available it is in general, the faster the Thai government will eliminate all restrictions on the use of this beneficial herb. Over here, I often take pills to help me sleep — something I use marijuana for in my home state of Alaska where it is totally legal.  This reversal of position by the authorities is surprising, enlightened and most welcome. If only my own federal government was as similarly enlightened.

    It looks like lots of US states will be legalizing pot this year and next.  If the US states finally equal 35 they can legalize pot backwards thru a constitutional amendment.  I saw in a survey that less than 5% of the geezers in the Senate thought it should be legal.  I don't know if they have surveyed the house but it has gotten a lot of younger more knowledgeable reps this last cycle of elections.  The feds are going to lag behind the states and behind the general population in the US.  Might be because so many federal law enforcement agencies get huge funds yet to combat marijuana.  The pols hate to upset their real constituents. 

12 hours ago, robblok said:

Right and you close your eyes for the same thing happening in any other country especially the US. Some people are just better at hiding it then others. I don't mind complaining Thais but anyone who thinks that professional athletes are clean of drugs PE(s) is crazy.  Its just a matter of having the best doctor and masking the drugs. Lance Armstrong was great at it Ben Johnson used too. 

 

This is not an unique Thai thing this is related to top sports. But even with drugs these people (top athletes) are doing great things, the drugs help but without talent they would not get far.

 

Anyway tough for them that they got caught now they should accept the punishment.

    I so rarely agree with Robblok but he is right ON!   Doping scandals in international sports have a long history some of it state sponsored by the Russians and East Germans and plenty of it in france and USA.  etc.  Maybe because the drugs are getting cheap and easy to come by more developing countries will have problems with it too.  Welcome to the modern world.  

1 hour ago, Rugon said:

Retiring here is not spending a lifetime here, more like 1/10 of a lifetime, as these days most people can't get a pension until 65-70 and live an average of a couple or 5 years after that.

 

I can get permanent residency here and citizenship, not exactly hard to do.

    Don't know of a soul that ever did it.   What is your nationality now?

26 minutes ago, ginjag said:

Gaz,  you are talking about  todays new rules.....so I agree with you if it were today and I was to retire I would have that amount.  Please think about the forward planning years ago when the baht was 75 to the pound, and near no charges or restrictions to retire/stay here,  NO ONE could have forseen that you would need a spare 800k,  or 65k a month.

 

Please understand the plight of the oldsters caught in the trap.

   Two words about retirement abroad currency fluctuation and the inevitable worldwide global inflation.  If you are feeling sassy and rude now think about having about half as much money as you have now in 10 years.  20 years from now you will have half of that.  That is just inflation.  Add a little currency fluctuation and you will be experiencing pretty serious financial insecurity.  I know my hotel in Thailand has doubled my monthly room rate in the last 10 years.  Anybody notice food is twice as expensive as 10 years ago?  

    Retirement is difficult in your country of birth.  Abroad you have many unanswered questions and many surprises (some very unpleasant.) 

2 hours ago, marcusarelus said:

If you really lived here you would know that the amount in the bank is guaranteed and it is easy to make a will for your bank deposits when you die.

  Several people have looked up and quoted the banking laws.  Money deposited in foreign currency is not insured.  I never did open a bank account.  I had an old friend die in Thailand about 2 years ago.  The distribution of the estate was terrible and lots of stuff disappeared.  I know hard to believe!

   My interest is in finding good winter vacation spots.  I like to stay abroad about half a year or a little more at times.  I have been coming to Thailand since 1989 and had 3 retirement visas all obtained at the Chicago consulate.  No problems there.  Worked in Thailand for a year and was here during the economic crisis and the baht devaluation. 

   I would not spend a lifetime in a country that did not allow permanent residency and better rights than what ex-pat's are willing to put up with here.  

   Have two friends that have become permanent residents of Mexico.  Looks like a better deal to me.  So let the free market decide. 

   I will always love Thailand and the Thai people.  Will try to keep up short-time visits when I can.

   Good Luck 2 U.  I always hope for the best for everyone. 

40 minutes ago, Burma Man said:

Does anyone ever think of having to extend your retirement visa at the age of for example 85 or 90 or 95 when you are most likely to lay bed-ridden ? Even after 10 years or 20 years living in Thailand you will not get permanent residency meaning you will have to renew it until the last day of your life , or , end up in immigration cells.  

    Was just in this situation with a friend that lived to be almost 90.  The hospital/care facility got an emergency medical extension and he died before we needed to think about it again.  Others will not be so lucky.

10 hours ago, Jingthing said:

That's a gross distortion. The 400k lockup can't be spent not even one baht of it not even in a medical emergency. Go one back under spending your own money and you become an illegal alien. New retired expats should stop coming.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

    It would require the honest release of visa numbers. Not sure they would ever do that.  I think this present system is going to lose them new retirement visa applicants, I would assume 100,000's will go and that would be in line with what TVF has been reporting the last few years.  The decline will be steeper when new people stop showing up. 

     The steep decline will be obvious in 1 or 2 years.  Right now the 'powers that be' will shrug their shoulders and say they have gotten bad guys out that were not following the rules.  They may not get good guys in however!  In the short term it is a win for them in terms of publicity.  Then it will be a crisis that Thai Tourism Authority needs to deal with when the complaints start from Thai businesses wondering why their retired foreign customers have disappeared. 

     The fact the deposit is not guaranteed and there are not any assurances of what would happen to the deposit when you die makes this high risk banking.  I am not interested.  I have told most thai friends at best I will come for a less than 30 day visa exempt holiday to get around and have dinners and visit.  I am not going to stay the winters anymore and not going to live here the 9 to 10 months of the year as i did for quite a few  years.  

      I am very well off but not a millionaire but close!  I do feel sorry for the little hotel I used to stay at in bkk.  They had 20 rooms of their 66 rooms long term rented for retirees.  Now they have none.  When i lived there last year it was down to me and an australian and he was being given fits by immigration. He went to Melbourne since he is well off and got the consulate to renew everything after several different day long hassles at Cheng Wattna.  He had lived here 22 years.  He also bought a nice retirement condo and business in Melbourne.  So he was planning to end his living in Thailand because of the immigration hassle.  Every year more people have left and just not returned.  And new ones did not seem to be coming.  It seems most of this is directed at the poor and working thai who will find it harder to make a living if they worked in a service industry that had lots of retiree customers.  No smirks!  I am talking restaurants and legit bars and tour companies small boutique hotels.   And I think the govt wants  it that way.

      The dream of the govt to have RICH RICH tourist just throwing money in the air seems to be a recurring theme with the govt. here.  HIgh Quality Tourist.  And they do have some but not enough to power the tourist economy. 

  Also the original poster should be aware that if he loses interest in boom boom the brother swings both ways!

1 minute ago, NCC1701A said:

Boom wanted my ATM PIN in case I needed to go to the hospital one day. She is very thoughtful.   

   Has she had you write your own obituary so that you are not embarrassed by her and her families poor english skills?  ????????  She sounds so thoughtful like that.

7 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

that is what I am trying to avoid.

   We need your full name so we can look for the obit from your 'accident' or early death from heart attack?  

   You will be the TVF honorary best farung ever.