4MyEgo

I don't doubt what your saying, but I am a stickler for legislation, it says what your reading, hearsay to me is risky, but I was told by XYZ that it was ok, nope, the legislation stipulates ABC. The above said, when I do get back to Oz, i.e. if I do decide to chase the glorious 50,000 odd baht per month for the 2 year jail term, I will ask Centrelink as I intend on returning during school holidays here, e.g. a week in April and a week in October to spend time with the family, alternatively if I'm feelinn rich, I will send them tickets to Oz as I will already have accommodation paid for. Like I said above, I don't doubt you, but one bitten twice shy.

Then there's a little further history for those who enjoy reading. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-department/international/policy/portability-of-australian-income-support-payments

It would be. Again, it would be as it would go straight out the ceiling. Apart from spending big $'s, you be better off starting over, i.e. knock it down. You need a high pitch roof where you can stand in, high ceilings, cavity walls, thermal reflective sisolation and insulation batts, the higher the rating the better it will be, whirly birds, and wide eaves to keep the house cool. anything less than that is a fail in my opinion.

Have a listen to this video, as you may not be aware that there is a thing called Deeming, if you decide not to sell up, then there is the Capital Gains Tax situation for Non-Residents you would have to consider. You can find out information on that on the ATO's website. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/deeming?context=22526

Your circumstances are the exception and not of the broader seeking to return for the OAP.

The below is being frugal in my opinion and is pretty much reality for me. Naturally it depends on your circumstances and how you want to live during that 2 year "jail term", don't get me wrong, Sydney is a pretty place, providing you have the $'s to live there and the time to see her beauty, allow me to provide you with my example of how I see my 2 year "jail term": I live here in Thailand with my young family in a big modern house with high ceilings and lots of windows providing natural light, it has all the comforts that I could NEVER afford to buy or build back in Sydney, e.g. upwards of a million $'s to build in Sydney, then you need the same and more for a decent block of land to build it on, it is also debt free, has no neighbours around it, so it is very very private and very very quite, whereas in Sydney you would have to drive hours out, i.e. bush and fork out at least 2 mil for the same place vs say $150k AUS here. I have done my research going back to Sydney for me alone, i.e. being away from my family which I will dread as we have been together for 17 years, kids in high school. A one bedroom unit of a modern nature within a 15km radius of Sydney would cost me $600 per week (13,500 baht) applying 22.50 baht to the $, that's the starting rate, i.e. unless I want to live in a red texture brick 1960's low rise building full of those small German cockroaches and noisy neighbours, say $450 per week (10,125 baht), (no thanks). I'm not a snob, but at this stage of my life, comforts are important, that said, I would need to work and earn at least $30 an hour x 40 hours per week x 52 weeks = $62,400 less say $12,000 tax & 2% Medicare levy combined which would leave me about $50,400 - $31,200 rent = $19,200/52 week = $369 per week to survive on, not a great deal, but if you don't use a car you save on those expenses, so the left over is about the same as what you would get from Jobseeker Allowance (Dole) and rental assistance, however, then you have to pay for you rent from that, so the Jobseeker allowance is not an option for most, and I wouldn't look at renting a room either. After retiring 8 year ago and relocating here, going back just based on the cost of living would be a jail term, meaning I would have to work to survive, whereas here I haven't for the past 8 years, and what are ones chances of getting a job at 65 after not having worked for 8 years, regardless of having 2 degrees. The above said, previously on a 6 figure salary to what I used to pay in tax compared to the $62,400 that I would be earning working would be a downer, but I would so as to keep me busy during that 2 year jail term, Coles, Woolworth's stacking shelves at night would be the preferred as I wouldn't want to put up with the public, as multiculturalism in Sydney for me doesn't work, not racist, just stating my point of view as I prefer seeing one race here, warts and all, nowhere is perfect, unless you like the eastern suburbs . As for taking the wife and kids who all have Australian Citizenships would add to that cost and also mean we would have to stay longer for them to complete their HSC, because two years is not an option for them, it's either all in or nothing. I believe you are mistaken, you cannot go overseas several times in 2 years as you suggest, and if you are going to quote this, you really should back it up with some link (respectfully). Below is copy from the legislation, plus the link itself. Payment may be suspended for short overseas absences during the 2-year period and does not have to be reclaimed on return to Australia. A short absence from Australia (as long as the person is still classed as an Australian resident) will not impact on the end date of the 2-year period (i.e. the absence still counts towards the person's 2-year period). https://guides.dss.gov.au/social-security-guide/7/1/4

She's one the money. Women are worse than men, they just keep it lowkey around the boys so to speak. I remember my X wife in a heated argument let the cat out of the bag, something on the lines of, I suppose Kim was a better F than me ? Kim was a college friend of hers, unbeknown to me they knew each other, but I used to do Kim every now and again, amongst others in my younger days. Since that day, I have studied women and you know and feel how the friends of the one your shagging look at you, the talk, the smiles, the flirting. Fact of the matter is, they all need to be serviced as we do, so when you know their looking, talking etc, roll the dice and cut to the chase because your up. Nothing to do with penis size, it's about the service and how you leave them......"destroyed".

Correct, that said, they will stop payment during your time overseas, however the time will not stop the clock during the 2 year jail term. Correct again, however what one has to watch out for is, if they return for a long period and then depart again, they might fall into a trap of the 2 year jail term starting again, so have to be very careful to discuss this with Centerlink. I am not up to speed with it, but it would have to do with residency again, of course, so if deemed a foreign resident again, then it's a lot of hassle all over again, because they can stop your payment when you depart, although you can appeal it, but what a hassle.

Aged pension is a right, I am going back for it, I worked and saved all of my working life, that said, I was smart enough to distribute my money out so that I do qualify under the assets tests, albeit there will be some deeming applied, when I apply. The deeming will reduce it by probably $100 a week, that said, by the time I get it and get portability on it, I figure I will still get about 50,000 baht a month here in Thailand, vs me forking a little more than that a month here, so why not take it and run, after you don't have to of worked to receive it, but most of us did, so yes we are entitled to it vs those who didn't as far as I am concerned, we all paid our taxes vs those who didn't. Everybody has a right to the pension, providing they meet the assets criteria and of course the income test, and of course there is a cut off point, e.g. too much in assets = $0 in pension being paid, too much income, $0 in pension. The 2 year jail term is a bummer for anyone wanting it, i.e. 2 years before they depart, or 2 years after they returned as a foreign resident, that said, if one did it right, they could probably re-coupe the 2 years worth of outlay, i.e. what it would cost them to get it, back in 1 -1.5 years at the most, but would have to be frugal during that jail term, so it's still worth it in the long run. You sound like you have a chip on your shoulder living in that self contained garage in Melbourne, the one at the back of your late mum and dad's house, collecting rent from it, of course ?

Pull the other one will you. Politicians only seek to get into their positions to strengthen their wealth or create more of it for themselves, hmmm that makes me think, where is the USA ranked as the Biden's come to mind.

@georgegeorgia In all fairness, he didn't suggest I was writing BS, he was stating that the system was BS. Should read more carefully as opposed to assuming, let's keep it civil gents. @Will27 Unfortunately the court would not be able to uphold the Legislation because that is what makes it Law. Again, incorrect, I believe an apology would be gentleman like, acknowledging ones mistakes makes that person grow, are you prepared to grow ? Would love a copy of the link for my own personal perusal. At the end of the day, if the guy from the Philippines was working in the Philippines, and was paying his taxes in Australia as a resident, he may have been able to get around it, however from what I read in the legislation is that no one can override the 2 year rule, that's my take on it. There is no discretionary power to allow portability of Age or DSP during the 2-year period (note, some exceptions to the 2-year rule apply The above said, it refers to short breaks.

Correction, the legislation goes on to say otherwise. Oooops it's a 2 year jail term as I originally thought. Note the highlighted (bold) sentences. Since 20 September 2000, a former resident who returns to Australia and is granted Age or DSP, or who transfers to Age under SS(Admin)Act section 12, cannot take that pension outside Australia if they leave within 2 years of having resumed residence in Australia. The purpose of this legislation is to discourage people from travelling to Australia just to get an Australian pension to take back overseas. The 2-year period includes, as separate full days, the day on which the recipient returns to Australia to resume Australian residence and the day on which they leave again. There is no discretionary power to allow portability of Age or DSP during the 2-year period (note, some exceptions to the 2-year rule apply - see below). Payment may be suspended for short overseas absences during the 2-year period and does not have to be reclaimed on return to Australia. A short absence from Australia (as long as the person is still classed as an Australian resident) will not impact on the end date of the 2-year period (i.e. the absence still counts towards the person's 2-year period).

You might be onto something. When I read the legislation, it doesn't say anything different, e.g. it would up to the interviewing officer to provide evidence that you don't intend on staying, suffice to say, they can't assume you will go back to Thailand after you receive the pension. The above said, I think if one returned a year earlier, they should be in the clear, i.e. portability after it's approved, if not, there is the appeals avenue. A person must satisfy the SSAct definition of Australian resident in order to lodge a proper claim for a pension. Generally, this means they must be residing in Australia when they lodge their claim. A claim for pension can be lodged by a former resident who has resumed residence in Australia only if, on the evidence available, there is a clear intention to remain permanently in Australia. A person who intends to return to Australia for a defined period only (e.g. 2 years) would not be an 'Australian resident' as per SSAct subsection 7(2). Specific portability rules apply when a person who was formerly an Australian resident returns to Australia and becomes an Australian resident again and is successful in claiming Age or DSP.

Yes he was carrying an Australian Passport, however his name is Gerard Wohlmuth, his surname is typically German and he would be as much an Ozzie as my wife would be with her Thai name in her Ozzie Passport. Welcome to multi-culturalism. RIP

No such thing, they are either and all

I did say this in another post, i.e. the deal was already done, but I hinted who it was done with, no names mentioned, but was suspended for two days, no deals done here on Asean now guilty

I don't make it public that I have enough money to last me till I reach 101, suffice to say, why on earth would I want any Thai to know how much wealth I have accumulated over the years, that would be throwing salt into their wound. Every woman wants to marry a rich guy, regardless if ethnicity. Happiness is within, money to me provides me the freedom and comforts that I like, that said, I am usually a happy guy 24/7. Let's put it another way, money doesn't make me unhappy.

What would Sherlock say, hmmmm, perhaps its a disused commercial rangehood tossed into the sea, could be from a ship ?

Already got that one covered.

As soon as I wake up in the morning, my routine starts with reading this forum, i.e. to find out if I have been suspended by the same Moderator again, for breaching ASEAN policy, even without mentioning the name of who I was referring to, you know, yes that guy ???? Once I check if I can still access the forum and put my views forward, ask questions, contribute etc, then I go back to bed feeling safe and secure because without this forum, where would I be, as you can tell life would be very boring without this forum ????.

ABSOLUTELY nothing, never liked woman with balls.

You have to focus on your future plans, like moving to Thailand, if you haven't already. Work depresses everyone, i.e. unless you love your job, I didn't, that's why I bailed 12 years early and have no regrets. Sitting indoors is a mood killer, I like to get out at least twice, if not 3 times a week, have a couple of beers, shoot some stick, mix it up with positive people, and when I land one who is negative about this or that, I just avoid him like the plaque next time I see him, "don't bring me down", ELO. The weather can depress people, missing a flight can depress people, just keep yourself busy and build a network of positive friends, socialise, and like save the frogs said; get some B12 into you, listen to YouTube music video's I love watching the Voice etc, cry a little, it's a good release, don't know why I do at my age but feel a lot better afterwards. Stay away from doctors and pills, i.e. unless your feeling suicidal. Time to play Powerball for Thursday, $40 millions up for grabs, now winning that would depress me ????

Thanks, yes I agree and it's good to get other opinions so as to be on the same page. Deeming as far as I read says that regardless if you make more than the % they charge you on the value of your shares/money in bank, e.g. 0.25% on the 1st $60,400 and then 2.25% thereafter, they won't charge you more, i.e. it's more or less a fixed rate which offsets things. Not sure I understand what you mean about other non financial assets pushing me over the "assets test", I anticipate having less than the assets test threshold for a non home owner on the single pension, i.e. $543,750, e.g. taking into consideration what it is going to cost me to continue living here till I get there and start receiving the single pension in about 4 years.

I have just come across deeming and am a little concerned when it comes to applying for the age pension in the future. I know one can receive the age pension when they reach 67 years of age subject to meeting the criteria, and can apply 13 weeks beforehand, the threshold for a non-home owner is about $543,750 in assets, however what happens to that money that is in the bank or in shares which is part of that threshold ? If I read correctly for the 1st $60,400 of your investment/assets, a deeming rate is applied at 0.25% and over that it's 2.25% which would mean that you would have deemed to have made an income of $11,026 regardless if you made anything on your money invested, for example in the stock market and this amount would reduce the amount of the pension being paid to you ? Can anyone confirm this or have any experience with this, as I thought if you had under $543,750 as a single person, you meet the assets test, but it looks like, you meet the assets test, but they stick it to you via deeming rates on your investment which is within the assets test ? https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/deeming?context=51411#earnmore