halloween

News from the front - application for OAP now reduced to 13 weeks before start date.

On 11/11/2017 at 6:55 PM, JaiLai said:

Nice report from OP, what day of the week did you go, was it busy?

 

Thanks.

Always check your calendar for Thai public holidays. thought I was being clever going on a Tuesday until I found out it was another long weekend.

14 hours ago, ELVIS123456 said:

If there is an outcome that affects the standing of any ministerial decision such that they are invalid, this will be a nightmare and will have huge significance. It has been a common practice for members and senators in Aust to have dual-citizenship, going right back to when the Commonwealth was started.  I just cant see anything being over-turned, as it would mean over-turning every decision by anyone with dual-citizenship going back to ........ ??

The current line is that decisions were made by cabinet and carried out by ministers. Pesticides and Vet Medicine likely to challenge move to Armidale from Canberra.

On 10/28/2017 at 2:38 PM, bazza73 said:

I would love to see that too; however, I don't think it is going to happen.

The ruling was that they had no legal right to nominate for a parliament seat, so they have NO accumulated pension until re-elected. They are now discussing whether any ministerial decisions have any standing.

3 hours ago, Gregster said:

Have I got this right (for a single OAP living in Thailand ):

1/ the max allowable annual income to keep the FULL OAP is only $4,368 per year?

2/ Centrelink deem assets @ 3.25% ?

3/ if yes to above, the full OAP payment rate therefore starts to decrease once your assets reach approx $135,000?

 $250 income is allowed per fortnight, and you lose 50c of pension for every dollar above that. BUT any allowance not used accumulates up to one year, so after a year, you could earn $6500 without pension loss if no other income during the year.

29 minutes ago, Gregster said:

 

Copy all that - thanks mate...but after obtaining the OAP I am not sure why I have to tell CL I’m going O/S albeit for a holiday or to live.

For some reason I thought that once you have obtained the OAP and you have done your 2 year penance immediately PRIOR TO obtaining OAP, you have portability?

That is how I understand it as well. When I asked C/L about it, explaining I have been a resident for 6 months each year for 4 years before OAP age, they said no problems with portability.

21 minutes ago, tryasimight said:

i too have 4 years to go but I think super will stuff me for the pension, although I'm sure there will be ways of minimising the apparent super somehow.

The pension might not be a huge amount but it would be nice to know that there is something coming in and not having to watch the super slowly drain away - even if it is invested elsewhere. A little regular pocket money would be great.

The 2 year rule/35 year residency (and from what I understand you didn't have to work a day in those 35 years) sucks,  I can understand the spirit of the law to a certain extent but it's a catch all and hurts the fair dinkum Aussie as well as those who it was intended for.

Add the changes to capital gains tax if you sell your house and you are a non resident for tax purposes and the whole show is a shambles.

i can;t see it changing either with Shorten playing the politics of envy and Turnbull being a spineless tosser.

Could be well worth the effort to qualify for the OAP pension even if you have a zero payment. Circumstances have been known to change radically and it's always good to have a fallback position.

1 minute ago, sceadugenga said:

The time spent in Australia is accumulative, you can take a few months overseas and on return your two year expiry date is extended by that period.

I don't think that I've wasted an evening so spectacularly since I gave up drinking, I suggest that some of you guys write to the minister for Social Services if you need further information.

 

https://christianporter.dss.gov.au/contact

That was how I understood it, and based my 4 years working before OAP as having a minimum of 2 years in country in case they applied that rule the other way. I have just barely resided long enough to acquire tax residence, 185-6 days being the usual.

Besides the tax threshold, I also become a low income earner with other tax benefits.

12 hours ago, tryasimight said:

Which credit union are you using? Generally credit unions cannot do overseas transfers (that is what mine told me) only banks.

 

Edit: misread your post. Credit unions can do withdrawals. I'd still be interested to know which one does it without fees  - mine charges like the proverbial.

MMPCU now trading as Unity Bank. I am looking at a phone app crew called Currencies Direct who are quoting exchange rate ~B0.8 better than UB with no fees. Haven't tried it yet, but it looks good.

2 minutes ago, David Walden said:

That exact figure is not important and you are likely correct,but presently you only need to be resident in Aus 25 years and 6 or 9 months...not 35 years that will be required in 2035.

It's bloody well important to me, and anybody else close to eligibility. The thought of having to spend another 3 months there, well into winter, was not pleasant at all and had me rapidly.searching websites. AFAIK there never has been a 65y9m eligibility age, it increases 6 months every 2 years.

26 minutes ago, David Walden said:

Yes but not yet.  The introduction of the 35 year requirement to get a pension will not take effect till 2034/35.  At present you need only be  65 years and 9 month to and have lived in Australia for 25 years and 9 months to be granted a pension, almost automatic,  each year the granting date is extended 3 months.  2015 to 2035  that is 20 times of 3 months.  The bit about living in Australia for the 2 years preceding your application is something you need to plan for before for some years previous.  You can often still be resident in Australia but having lengthy holidays out of the country if you plan things well. 

Better check your figures David. I am eligible for OAP at 65y6m next May. the next step up is for those born after 1/1/54 to 66y eligibility.

2 minutes ago, sceadugenga said:

This actually works, just show that wifey has no income of her own.

 

2.2.5.50 Discretion to Treat a Person as Not Being a Member of a Couple for a Special Reason

 

http://guides.dss.gov.au/guide-social-security-law/2/2/5/50

Again. doesn't apply to me. Other half of 13+ years doesn't want the hassle of marriage and she doesn't exist as far as C/Link is concerned. Good there is a way around it, but quite happy i don't have the problem.

1 minute ago, moojar said:

These are the posts most valuable to people - recent actual real world experiences.  Thank you.  

 

I spoke to the International C/L office this year or last year - posted about it here.  They were vague about how one goes about retaining residency in the lead up to pension age.  They did say having a Thai wife counts against me, and spending two or three weeks per year in Oz is not enough - in her words "that's just a visit".   

'Thai wife' - wash your mouth out with soap and sew your lips together! NEVER utter those words to C/Link.

3 minutes ago, moojar said:

As long as you qualify, you'll get something straight away.  If you're a citizen you're eligible for the pension.  

 

It's just going back overseas is the sticking point - to qualify for 'portability' some say you must spend two years in Oz without leaving for even a day (in which case you'd reset the clock), others say you can make short trips - days, not months - overseas in the two years.  It's a grey area.  

Discussion point, not personal circumstances. I am on my to Oz now, will work until May when my OAP starts. Though I spent a lot of time o/s will have spent 4 years working >6 months/year and have been told will have portability immediately.

BUT will not claim portability immediately, tell them I am off for another 6 months as usual and back to work November. Have to put tax return in and will do a few weeks work while there without losing pension. Intend to keep nominal Oz residence as long as possible for Medicare.

What happens if somebody heads back to oz, straight to CL and tells them they are homeless and broke?

1 minute ago, 4MyEgo said:

I have not used it overseas but my  EX does (another story), she tells me it does not cost her anything.

 

ING will charge you if you withdrawal money from any ATM machine in Thailand, so I think your EX is wrong, ING are like any other bank and will charge for international withdrawals on your debit card

Not quite "any bank". Unity Bank, formerly MMPCU, does not charge me for Thailand ATM withdrawals. There is a slight difference in exchange rate between ATM and over-the-counter withdrawals exactly equivalent to the Thai B220 ATM fee.

BTW VISA debit card.

On 9/20/2017 at 2:23 PM, SplitInfinitive said:

You get a free online international transfer?

Could I ask which banks you use?

 

I need to transfer some funds and the fees offered are high enough to almost warrant flying back and returning with it in cash. 

I was just looking at exchange rates for my last bank transfer and found a phone app called Currencies Direct. They are currently offering B26.397/AUD with no fees, which is considerably better than my fee free CU account which is giving 25.6. Pay in from Bank a/c or debit card, payout to bank a/c.

Talked to Mum toaday, OAP has increased $5.70, supplement $0.40

https://www.yourlifechoices.com.au/government/pension/age-pension-increases--20-september-2017

1 minute ago, David Walden said:

If you are living in Thailand and receive the single rate of aged pension presently $888.30 p/f after 6 weeks reduces to about $835.p/f.  What ever you do don't get married or your pension will be reduced by about $210p/f to about $610p/f as you will only receive half he married rate ofabout $1320p/f  ($610 p/f).  The Thai wife will get nothing.  Of course there is nothing wrong in having a Thai lady carer live in with you.  Just don't  get married.  If you do it it will cost you about Aus $220 p/f.

David, you are replying to posts from NINE years ago. While what you are posting is correct, I doubt those posters will be interested.

1 hour ago, Gregster said:

I also transfer money from my Oz bank (westpac) to my Thai bank account.

Just to clarify...my questions are:

1/ does one have to declare all assets to Centrelink when applying for the OAP?

2/ If yes to #1 does one have to declare the balance of any overseas bank accounts?

3/ if yes to #2, does one run the risk of having his OAP denied if Centrelink search and find undeclared money in an overseas bank account?


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

I'm using the KISS principle and not opening an account here, at least not before OAP is granted. CL will deposit into an o/s account, but you have to declare yourself a non-resident. My OAP will be deposited into a credit union which doesn't charge for offshore withdrawals, and Bangkok Bank will let me pull out B50,000 from my VISA debit card (over the counter with passport) without fees. Current exchange rate was B25.4 which is acceptable.

Doing that and maintaining address, phone number, etc lets me claim I am an Oz resident doing a lot of travelling. A few weeks work each year will let me top up my pension, get medical services, might even get Oz resident tax rate if I can get a favourable ATO ruling.

Hoping my trip back will also reset the 6 months of allowances that you lose. anybody have any experience with that?

1 minute ago, giddyup said:

Thanks.

If you take medication, it is possible to get a script for 6 months of it at the one time. Tell your doctor you are leaving the country and it shouldn't be a problem. Even better, it works out considerably cheaper, as there is only one chemist's prescription fee.

I haven't had a problem with customs while leaving, but always have the paperwork with you.

2 minutes ago, giddyup said:

Would a trip back to Oz with a couple of doctors visits there keep me "on the books"?

Can't hurt. I'm planning on 3-4 weeks a year in Oz, with a bit of light work, and working the Medicare card hard.

1 hour ago, Gregster said:

Am enjoying following this thread, as very relevant to me. On a side note, I intend hiring a Prius when back in Oz soon. Curious to know if it's cruise control will still regulate my speed when descending a steep hill? In other words, does cruise control apply the brakes for you?

Driving in the eastern suburbs of Brisbane, not much in the way of steep hills, but I think not. But when you back off the accelerator, the wheel drive motors switch to generator, feels much like engine braking in a petrol car. Very light brake application actually doesn't apply the brakes, it increases the battery recharge rate markedly slowing the vehicle, and the CC does this too.

I use the cruise a lot, even at 50km/h. Bloody radar vans are everywhere in Brissie.

12 hours ago, ELVIS123456 said:

. Today I got a speeding fine in the mail - $315 for going 10km (under 15) over the speed limit.  8190 baht for going 71 in a 60 zone at 6.30am when no one else was on the road, on a 2 lane pharking highway that should be 80ks, with a golf course on the left and the back fences (no fronts) of houses 30+ metres back on the right - years ago it was 90Ks then 80ks and now 60Ks (no deaths - ever).  Pharking ridiculous - the wife laid an egg !!  Sorry for that - but this place is just shiete - if the OAP was not worth so much, there is no way I would live here.  The roads are safe though :) - but expensive !!

 

You should try working as a suburban taxi driver. While working I do minimum 1000km per week, and the cruise control in the Prius has become my best friend.

And the bloody fines aren't even tax deductible.

2 minutes ago, giddyup said:

Solution is....never return.

Not sure that is a good bridge to burn. There are many reasons why we may need to return in the future.