What do Thai Wives (& their husbands) think of losing their Australian Husbands for 2 years because of a new Centrelink law requirement being for him to live 2 years in Australia to collect his aged pension entitlement from the Australain government

[Happyman58]

8 hours ago, Groove said:

When one retires, one would like to live in a decent area eh? The horrors of trying to exist for a Queenslander were already outlined here, so somewhere nice being the Sunshine Coast would be ideal eh? Does one realise that it costs around $200AUD per week just to rent a room in a shared house on the Sunshine Coast? Around $200AUD per week that’s what and the owner even has the right to discriminate against Social Welfare recipients and, according to or seeming to the Federal government, that is quite an acceptable practice of the owner to be able to shut the door to good old Aussie battler pensioners. The current OAP pension rate, before it changes on 20^th Mar 2018, is A$814 per fortnight + supplement of A$66.30 + energy supplement of 14.10 totaling A$894.40 + a possible maximum rental assistance of A$133 per fortnight = A$1,027.40 per fortnight or A$2,054.80 per 4 weeks. I say per 4 weeks because if granted a portability pension outside of Australia? They pay 13 x 4 weekly installments from a yearly rate of A$21,764.60 divided by 13 = A$1,674.20 per 4 weekly payment. They pay direct deposit into your bank in your country, so in this case I still haven’t investigated if they have an agreement with Thailand? (Some say there is no agreement with Thailand) If agreed, today’s rate before 20^th Mar would be paid in the local currency here, i.e. into a Thai bank account in Thai Baht. In other words, they want to see where the money’s going & you can bet they’ll asking your bank all sorts of questions like your previous & current banking activity, in other words are you getting any other money from elsewhere? So by leaving Oz, and IF granted a portability pension you’ll be losing around A$190 per fortnight for being outside of Australia, and as people have said A$200 per fortnight if you’ve got a wife. Is it worth being in Thailand & is it worth marrying? Or do they have the right to break up say a 10 or 12 years marriage because the man worked most of his life in Australia. Spent his money in Australia because he succumbed to most of life’s temptations and spent his money on things including gambling, which is highly pushed and respected now. I reckon that the day his or her pension starts, they could have lived wherever until that day, yes, the would be pensioner should have been able to live wherever he likes & with or who-ever he/she likes, whether this be to a girl whose family sometimes do not know where their money for the next meal is coming from? Or she makes the average rural worker’s wage of sometimes as low as 3,000THB per month. If someone has lived & worked in Australia for at least 25 years of their life and are overseas, thereby saving Australia welfare dole payments, then they should be able to return to Australia the day before coming of OAP pension age & get it started on the day they turn of that age & pack their bags & go without having to had spent the last 2 years, divorced & in Australia because the Australian government says so. This is the tip of the iceberg that’s going to end your political career Malcolm Turnbull. Let’s lobby everyone and make him return the retirement age to 65 years with no 2 years in Australia waiting list, OTHERWISE HE IS GONE AT THE NEXT ELECTION. He’s already ruled out an early one, so he now cannot renege on that election promise. He’d look a fool if he called an early one now. No, there’s plenty of time before next year to make him commit towards that end otherwise he’s gone, history. Just one more dead political statistic who thinks more of spending billions on 75 new F35 US fighter jets and the corporate welfare bill on bonuses they hand to big business to win contracts are double of the entire Social welfare bill he pays, and not from his money, from ours, the people’s money that the Australian government have control of. People 65 & over are a large percentage of Australia’s population. Don’t underestimate them, they, we, can make history of this current government! I’ll certainly be going to the Oz embassy in Bangkok to vote, that’s for sure and at this current behavior there’s no way I’ll vote for him.  

 

well said

 

[simple1]

21 minutes ago, Happyman58 said:

well said

 

Disagree. Grove obviously has put zero effort into understanding and planning for the Age Pension. e.g. the member whines about payment, but does not even know the Oz govt pays the pension into a Thai bank based on the RBA exchange rate. Nor does Grove comprehend Age Pension is paid out of the annual federal Budget, Oz government has held at least two reviews of pension portability, has been petitioned  on the matter without success etc etc.

 

Based upon the fact Groove will have lived in Thailand for ten plus years by the time of applying for Age Pension he will have to convince Centrelink he intends to be a permanent resident of Australia at time of application - based upon his rants - good luck with that effort. 

 

I have lived in Thailand and currently on the Sunshine Coast, QLD. To claim the Sunshine Coast, even Caboolture, is more 'dangerous' than living Thailand is utter nonsense. 

[Happyman58]

48 minutes ago, simple1 said:

Disagree. Grove obviously has put zero effort into understanding and planning for the Age Pension. e.g. the member whines about payment, but does not even know the Oz govt pays the pension into a Thai bank based on the RBA exchange rate. Nor does Grove comprehend Age Pension is paid out of the annual federal Budget, Oz government has held at least two reviews of pension portability, has been petitioned  on the matter without success etc etc.

 

Based upon the fact Groove will have lived in Thailand for ten plus years by the time of applying for Age Pension he will have to convince Centrelink he intends to be a permanent resident of Australia at time of application - based upon his rants - good luck with that effort. 

 

I have lived in Thailand and currently on the Sunshine Coast, QLD. To claim the Sunshine Coast, even Caboolture, is more 'dangerous' than living Thailand is utter nonsense. 

ok sounds good to  i will going back to australia monday will visit  centre link  and get all the facts straight from horses mouth so to speak

[Happyman58]

Just now, Happyman58 said:

ok sounds good to  i will going back to australia monday will visit  centre link  and get all the facts straight from horses mouth so to speak

but as one centre link lady told me mr you are not due for old age pension for another 6 years stop the worry and enjoy life because in 6 years they will prob change the rules again

[Will27]

I don't like/agree with the "2 year blanket" rule as such, and think it could be tinkered with.

 

But I also don't think, that if someone for example went to Thailand at 50 years old, spent their

live savings, that they should be able to jump on a kite back to Oz get the OAP and fly back

the next day either.

 

 

[simple1]

1 hour ago, Happyman58 said:

ok sounds good to  i will going back to australia monday will visit  centre link  and get all the facts straight from horses mouth so to speak

Asd previously mentioned contact Centrelink International (131 673), not your local Centrelink office

[Rimmer]

A personal attack on another member has been removed

[misterphil]

On 04/03/2018 at 10:00 PM, cyberfarang said:

In the cases of Brits, if a British person wants to marry a Thai person in Thailand, the British person has to visit the British embassy and swear an affidavit before being allowed to marry at a Thai amphur office. This means that the embassy records the marriage. Is that not the same for Australians?

Yes we do the affidavit but thats not registering the marriage.

 

What if we do the affidavit then change our minds and cancel the wedding? 

Theres no record of the marriage in Thailand at the British Embassy at all.

[metisdead]

Quote

I understand it is even worse for Canadians....

 

Off topic deflection posts and replies have been removed as this topic is about the Australian pension plan. 

[Nemises]

  Based upon the fact Groove will have lived in Thailand for ten plus years by the time of applying for Age Pension he will have to convince Centrelink he intends to be a permanent resident of Australia at time of application - based upon his rants - good luck with that effort. 

 

 

 

 

 Do you have to actually “CONVINCE” Centrelink that you intend to stay in Aus.

 

I mean, after returning from Thailand (say after living there for 10 years)and completing your 2 years penance, and having been a prior Aus resident for >35yrs of your working life and you meet the assets test, shouldn’t you just have to TELL Centrelink that your days of overseas travel are over and you’re now back for good.

 

Not everyone has a Aus tenancy lease or owns an Aus home. In the above example, can they refuse you a portable pension if you just TELL them that you’re back for good and you intend buying a mobile home and traveling around Aus for the rest of your days?

 

 

 

 

[simple1]

19 minutes ago, Gregster said:

 

Do you have to actually “CONVINCE” Centrelink that you intend to stay in Aus.

 

I mean, after returning from Thailand (say after living there for 10 years)and completing your 2 years penance, and having been a prior Aus resident for >35yrs of your working life and you meet the assets test, shouldn’t you just have to TELL Centrelink that you’re days of overseas travel are over and you’re now back for good.

 

Not everyone has a Aus tenancy lease or owns an Aus home. In the above example, can they refuse you a portable pension if you just TELL them that you’re back for good and you intend buying a mobile home and traveling around Aus for the rest of your days?

From memory there are posts from members saying their application was declined. If such a member is reading this please provide a link to your prior post or a brief summary on why application was declined.  I would guess reasons could be declaring permanent housing / assets in Thailand, not an Australian resident for taxation purposes etc

 

As you know upon return to Oz you will need to document your residency in Oz to obtain Age Pension, so after the waiting period you can roll over to portability. As already mentioned DL, Oz bank account, re-apply for Medicare Card, rental lease (can obtain template from State REIQ and get a family member to sign). 

[Nemises]

From memory there are posts from members saying their application was declined. If such a member is reading this please provide a link to your prior post or a brief summary on why application was declined.  I would guess reasons could be declaring permanent housing / assets in Thailand, not an Australian resident for taxation purposes etc  

As you know upon return to Oz you will need to document your residency in Oz to obtain Age Pension, so after the waiting period you can roll over to portability. As already mentioned DL, Oz bank account, re-apply for Medicare Card, rental lease (can obtain template from State REIQ and get a family member to sign). 

 

Thanks. I won’t be declaring any Thai permanent housing/assets and I will have an Oz bank account, DL & MC card but no lease because I “intend” to buy a motor home and continuously travel Aus staying in caravan parks for only a couple of nights at a time. Can I expect to get a portable OAP?

 

As you said, am hoping to hear from other members declined in this (or similar) situations.

 

[Will27]

21 minutes ago, Gregster said:

Thanks. I won’t be declaring any Thai permanent housing/assets and I will have an Oz bank account, DL & MC card but no lease because I “intend” to buy a motor home and continuously travel Aus staying in caravan parks for only a couple of nights at a time. Can I expect to get a portable OAP?

 

As you said, am hoping to hear from other members declined in this (or similar) situations.

 

At a guess I'd suggest that Centrelink would want to at least have an address for you.

 

Having said that, if you say you intend to stay in Australia and qualify for the OAP, it

might be hard for them to refuse you.

 

You intend staying the 2 years course do you?

 

No one can really answer for you though.

[Nemises]

 

 

 

You intend staying the 2 years course do you?

 

 

 

 

Yes I will be serving out my 2 years prior penance. See post # 130.

 

A relative’s address will be given as my Aus postal address.

 

 

[Will27]

16 minutes ago, Gregster said:

 

Yes I will be serving out my 2 years prior penance. See post # 130.

 

A relative’s address will be given as my Aus postal address.

 

 

Well, once the OAP has been granted and you do your 2 year sentence, cannot see why

you wouldn't be granted portability.

 

Having said that, it's a fair way off and the rules could change.

[Nemises]

Well, once the OAP has been granted and you do your 2 year sentence, cannot see why
you wouldn't be granted portability.
 
Having said that, it's a fair way off and the rules could change.

Thanks but the question is...WIll I get OAP portability if I have had no fixed Aus address during the 2 year sentence and can not offer a fixed address at the time of applying?

Has anyone reading this, been declined OAP portability for not having a fixed Aus address...

[Will27]

48 minutes ago, Gregster said:

Thanks but the question is...WIll I get OAP portability if I have had no fixed Aus address during the 2 year sentence and can not offer a fixed address at the time of applying?

Has anyone reading this, been declined OAP portability for not having a fixed Aus address...

If you get the pension and stay for 2 years, I don't see what having a fixed address has to do with anything TBH.

 

Simple1 was explaining some of the things needed to do to obtain the OAP.

One of those was to provide a fixed address,. That's not the only criteria.

Once you have it, my understanding is that it will be granted after the 2 year period.

 

I cannot remember anyone on here being refused the pension either.

There have been a few links where people have appealed it and the reasons

why it was refused.

 

Worst case scenario if Centrelink insist, surely you have a friend or relative whose

address you can use?

 

Either way, I don't think it's a deal breaker.

 

 

[Nemises]

If you get the pension and stay for 2 years, I don't see what having a fixed address has to do with anything TBH.

 

Simple1 was explaining some of the things needed to do to obtain the OAP.

One of those was to provide a fixed address,. That's not the only criteria.

Once you have it, my understanding is that it will be granted after the 2 year period.

 

I cannot remember anyone on here being refused the pension either.

There have been a few links where people have appealed it and the reasons

why it was refused.

 

Worst case scenario if Centrelink insist, surely you have a friend or relative whose

address you can use?

 

 

 

 

A relative’s address will be given to Centrelink for purposes of posting me correspondence only. See post #134

 

I agree with you, it shouldn’t be a dealbreaker ...but many on here talk about having to show copies of rental agreements/letters from landlords etc. - none of which I will have nor will I be asking friends or relatives to falsify same.

 

I will be telling Centrelink the truth, in that I have no fixed address as I am a “grey nomad”. Hence the question I ask...has anyone been refused (or have a link to) an OAP applicant (who meets ALL other criteria) being refused portability for not having a fixed address?

 

 

 

 

 

[Will27]

37 minutes ago, Gregster said:

 

A relative’s address will be given to Centrelink for purposes of posting me correspondence only. See post #134

 

I agree with you, it shouldn’t be a dealbreaker ...but many on here talk about having to show copies of rental agreements/letters from landlords etc. - none of which I will have nor will I be asking friends or relatives to falsify same.

 

I will be telling Centrelink the truth, in that I have no fixed address as I am a “grey nomad”. Hence the question I ask...has anyone been refused (or have a link to) an OAP applicant (who meets ALL other criteria) being refused portability for not having a fixed address?

 

 

 

 

 

Again, I think you're getting confused with portability and obtaining the pension.

 

Providing rental agreements is to satisfy Centrelink you're staying and to receive the pension.

That has nothing to do with portability.

 

Once you have the pension and do your 2 years, my understanding is that you receive portability.

 

I cannot see a problem with giving them a postal address as your base and then telling them you will

be off travelling.

 

I cannot recall anyone on here being refused the pension let alone being refused portability (after

doing the 2 years).

[logres212]

When you apply for the pension you will need proof of address in Australia, if you're travelling around Australia you will need a drivers license which will require proof of address anyway. So a license could be used partly as proof of address, Medicare card, also if buying a van, rego will need an address, so this could be used as proof also. Once the two year qualifying period is up you can return the next day to Thailand to live permanently or wherever. After 6 weeks your pension will be adjusted, unless you tell them before you leave you are living permanently overseas then it will be adjusted the day you leave. Check website for all details.

[totally thaied up]

2 hours ago, logres212 said:

When you apply for the pension you will need proof of address in Australia, if you're travelling around Australia you will need a drivers license which will require proof of address anyway. So a license could be used partly as proof of address, Medicare card, also if buying a van, rego will need an address, so this could be used as proof also. Once the two year qualifying period is up you can return the next day to Thailand to live permanently or wherever. After 6 weeks your pension will be adjusted, unless you tell them before you leave you are living permanently overseas then it will be adjusted the day you leave. Check website for all details.

I have seen a lot of cases over the years (via a closed board) of similar issues on portability. You can never know the outcome but what is written above is what I have seen happen in most cases. The big thing is 35 years in Australia. I applied for portability and it took nine months to grant. Yes, I am under 65 and no this is not at all easy to get.

 

I can see no problem but yet again, rules change with the times. We have had two major reviews on portability in the last 10 years.  

[giddyup]

1 hour ago, totally thaied up said:

I have seen a lot of cases over the years (via a closed board) of similar issues on portability. You can never know the outcome but what is written above is what I have seen happen in most cases. The big thing is 35 years in Australia. I applied for portability and it took nine months to grant. Yes, I am under 65 and no this is not at all easy to get.

 

I can see no problem but yet again, rules change with the times. We have had two major reviews on portability in the last 10 years.  

How can you get a portable OAP if you are under 65? Portability is a doddle as long as you satisfy the criteria. I was living in Australia up until I turned 65, was granted the pension, notified Centrelink and immediately moved to Thailand, where I've been paid regularly for 8 years.