Eddie45

I plan on flying into Bangkok and staying for 2 days and then flying to Vietnam for 1 week and then flying back to Bangkok and staying for a 2 week holiday before flying back home. I will get 2 60 day Visa Exemptions. Will this be okay with immigration. I cant see a problem but just wanted to check as dont want to mess my holiday up.

Just read this article on the matter. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/fury-at-threat-to-means-test-state-pension-how-long-have-mps-been-planning-this/ar-BB1q9L89

The UK State Pension is classed as a benefit now. Is it only a matter of time before you will be means tested and anyone with over X amount of savings/investments is not entitled to the UK State Pension.

The full state pension is £221.20 a week. So if you moved to Europe for 6 months and then moved back to Thailand would they freeze your pension at £221.20 a week or would it go back to the previous frozen amount.

Thanks for the info. So if you moved to Europe and lived there full time. Would you be entitled to the full state pension going forward even though you pension has been frozen for the time you have spent in Thailand.

Do you need to spend X Amount of time in Thailand per year before they start freezing your Pension or does it happen when you stay for more than 183 days in any tax year and you become a Tax Resident of Thailand. I would like to know how it works.

What's the reasons are UK State Pension's are Frozen in Thailand but not the Philippines. Seems really unfair. The countries arent exactly a million miles away from each other.

Its a total joke the UK Government freeze pensions. If you work for 35 years and pay into the system you should be able to live where you want. They are just upset the money isnt being spent in the UK.

Hamus, I wouldnt loose any sleep over it. Looks like Labour are going to win the Election easily. Alot of people arent taking into that Covid, the Ukraine War and inflation was out of the Conservatives control, plus people are sick of Sunak and Hunt. 2 rich little boys who are totally out of touch with real people. One other point Sunak wife is a tax dodger.

Great advice from AreYouGerman and Gecko123. Get your visa and bank account in your own name sorted out and then dont rush all the other tasks.

MalcolmB, If you have trouble opening a bank account you can pay a visa agent 5000 baht to open the account for you, plus you can get your retirement visa processed at the same time but you need to go and see the visa agent when you have a new 30 day waiver.

MalcolmB, I wish you all the best with your retirement but becareful how you spend your funds. Say for example you spend $50,000 building a house on your girlfriends land, make sure you would be happy to walk away in the future and losing that $50,000 isnt going to affect your life.

Okay.

RayC, Thanks for the information.

Why is your UK State Pension frozen if you live in Thailand but not if you live in the Philippines?

Rayc, I have read the above link but it doesnt tell you what information you need to submit to prove you have been working abroad.

If you paid it all in 1 go it would have been easier to remember what class you paid as paying 9 years of Class 2 is £1,614.60 at today rate and Class 3 would be £8,163.00.

I just read you original post again and you paid it by direct debit while in Thailand rather than paying 9 years in 1 go.

Martin, you couldnt have told them you were abroad because liked chicken legs just said you would have had to show you were working abroad or you would have had to pay class 3 which is £907.00 for every year instead of £179.40 for class 2.

I have been looking at Paying Voluntary National Insurance Contributions when Abroad. You can only pay Class 2 if you are working/worked abroad during the period you are applying to pay and you must have worked immediately in the UK before you. There is no information on the government website about what documentation you need to submit to prove this. Has anyone done this or in the process of doing it, if so what information are they looking for.

I agree, Sunak has got it wrong. I will be very surprised if Labour dont win the next election. Sunak family are billionaires, he will sail off into the sunset without a worry.

I read on this forum about someone who delayed getting their UK State pension, when they were living in Thailand and didnt get the additional 5.8% because when you are living in Thailand your pension gets frozen and its not increased each year in the new tax year. If you are going to be living in Thailand full time I would research this. Also read the link below. Personally I would take the Pension when you reach pension age. 5.8% is roughly £11.00 extra a week. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/the-year-the-state-pension-will-start-to-collapse-whoever-wins-the-election/ar-BB1n41nR?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=a81785b544ea4a92abec50313994e879&ei=26

Wha Are you going to defer for 2-3 years so they increase your future pension?

Theoldgit, if you are a UK Citiizen and returning to live in the UK on a full time basis there is no charge so nothing to worry about.

I posted because this is my opinion on the situation. Sorry if it upsets you but not everyone is going to think the same as you. The information you posted. I would take this with a pinch of salt. It could be changed in a heart beat.