Expat pensions overseas

[Ban Phe Dezza]

Hi

I have had some criticism about getting paid the age pension whilst not staying in Australia.

 the cost to Australian Tax payers and other Bravo Sierra  B.S.

well lets look what we save the tax payer

we do not get the following.

Subsidised medications

Rent subsidy

various allowances on the pension Approximate $80.00  PCM.

subsidised travel vouchers 

In my Case a Carers payment 

And maybe I have forgotten a couple of concesions

To top it of Parliament is going to give $50,000.00 to help you to stay at home rather than go into a nursing home 

 

Cost the Tax payers Money  NO way in fact overseas pensioners save them heaps of Money.

Imagine what would happen if we all went home

Ok end of rant I ponder do other Pensioners agree with me.

It might be interesting to find out.

PS  with the decline in the $ AU to the Baht maybe time to look for greener pastures

FYI, I am 80 this year  and LOS is getting harder to stay in ever year Been here since 2000

[metisdead]

Moving to the Home Country forum for discussion.

[Ban Phe Dezza]

2 minutes ago, metisdead said:

Moving to the Home Country forum for discussion.

Not sure why you have moved it as surely, Brits, Canadians, New Zealanders have the same issues

ah well Mai Phen Rai

[Crossy]

13 minutes ago, Ban Phe Dezza said:

Not sure why you have moved it as surely, Brits, Canadians, New Zealanders have the same issues

ah well Mai Phen Rai

In which case this is exactly the correct forum.

[Ron19]

I have to agree with you 100%.

I am going through this at the moment at 74 years of age.

After 26 years of marriage, my wife had to stay in Thailand for medical reasons amongst other things.

I am in Australia trying to work my way through the minefield that exists within the application for the aged pension.

[Ban Phe Dezza]

1 hour ago, Ron19 said:

I have to agree with you 100%.

I am going through this at the moment at 74 years of age.

After 26 years of marriage, my wife had to stay in Thailand for medical reasons amongst other things.

I am in Australia trying to work my way through the minefield that exists within the application for the aged pension.

Hi  May I offer some advice as I have experience dealing with Government officers

If having  issues  with Front line officers 

Request to speak to a Supervisor preferably from Hobart as they deal with overseas payments 

if that has no results go up the chain of command  as far as you can.

No result, ask to be refereed to the ombudsman for a decision  that usually gets things moving 

Reading between the lines it seems it may be Thai documents you are having issues with obtaining them

Solution   You are in Australia I presume the two year rule is not the issue

You are in Australia your wife is in Thailand therefore you are separated  apply for the single pension based on separation.

It is quite Legal and should you be reconciled at a later date Well thats for the future

Sad News paper or TV stories   an avenue to explore if the facts support your application

[VincentRJ]

Quote

Hi

I have had some criticism about getting paid the age pension whilst not staying in Australia.

 the cost to Australian Tax payers and other Bravo Sierra  B.S.

well lets look what we save the tax payer

we do not get the following.

Subsidised medications

Rent subsidy

various allowances on the pension Approximate $80.00  PCM.

subsidised travel vouchers 

In my Case a Carers payment 

And maybe I have forgotten a couple of concesions

To top it of Parliament is going to give $50,000.00 to help you to stay at home rather than go into a nursing home 

 

Cost the Tax payers Money  NO way in fact overseas pensioners save them heaps of Money.

Imagine what would happen if we all went home

Ok end of rant I ponder do other Pensioners agree with me.

It might be interesting to find out.

PS  with the decline in the $ AU to the Baht maybe time to look for greener pastures

FYI, I am 80 this year  and LOS is getting harder to stay in ever year Been here since 2000

 

Another related issue is the cost of health care. If one has a Senior's Concession card and is receiving a Government Age Pension, then one can find free medical treatment, and all drug prescriptions are subsidized.

 

I'm living in Australia as a retiree and don't have any private medical insurance. Fortunately, I'm quite healthy and rarely need to visit a doctor. But when I do need to visit a doctor, as I did recently to get a medical report for the renewal of my driving license, because I'd turned 75, I was pleased that there was no charge for the consultation.

 

Occasionally I visit the same medical centre to get my ears syringed, or sometimes get a flu vaccine or a blood test. No charge. What a wonderful place is Australia. 

 

If one is living in Thailand with no private health insurance, then all these minor costs of medical treatment will be a saving to the Australian economy. However, it's not that straightforward.
If a person is spending the Australian pension within Australia, then most of the money goes back into the Australian economy.

 

If the pensioner is living overseas, then Australia is essentially exporting money overseas with no beneficial return, except to the extent that the overseas residents buy Australian products that have been exported to that country.

 

Also, if an overseas resident, without private medical insurance, does experience some serious health problem, then he would probably fly straight back to Australia.
Taking everything into consideration, I can't see that the Australian economy benefits, in total, if the Australian pension is spent overseas.

 

For me personally, the health issue is the main obstacle to my retiring in Thailand. I first visited Thailand about 56 years ago, and it was an amazing experience which I fondly remember. I lived there for 14 months, earning a living giving private tuition in English, and later got a work permit to teach in a Commercial College, although I was not a qualified teacher.

 

I'd love to retire in Thailand, and delay the effects of dementia by studying the Thai language instead of playing Bridge   , but the cost of medical insurance seems a huge deterrent.

•  

Edited May 5, 2018 by VincentRJ

[Ron19]

58 minutes ago, Ban Phe Dezza said:

Hi  May I offer some advice as I have experience dealing with Government officers

If having  issues  with Front line officers 

Request to speak to a Supervisor preferably from Hobart as they deal with overseas payments 

if that has no results go up the chain of command  as far as you can.

No result, ask to be refereed to the ombudsman for a decision  that usually gets things moving 

Reading between the lines it seems it may be Thai documents you are having issues with obtaining them

Solution   You are in Australia I presume the two year rule is not the issue

You are in Australia your wife is in Thailand therefore you are separated  apply for the single pension based on separation.

It is quite Legal and should you be reconciled at a later date Well thats for the future

Sad News paper or TV stories   an avenue to explore if the facts support your application

I have no problems with the front line officers although one was a little iffy the others have been excellent.

The problem there is the assessor further up the tree.

Thai documents are the issue along with the two year rule which is the reason I am in Australia. My wife has 

Australian citizenship and has lived and worked in Australia for 15 years. Our marriage is sound and is recorded with Centrelink.

[Ban Phe Dezza]

2 hours ago, Ron19 said:

I have no problems with the front line officers although one was a little iffy the others have been excellent.

The problem there is the assessor further up the tree.

Thai documents are the issue along with the two year rule which is the reason I am in Australia. My wife has 

Australian citizenship and has lived and worked in Australia for 15 years. Our marriage is sound and is recorded with Centrelink.

OK different storey I have a Brit/Aussie friend who is married to  Thai lady she spent 15 years working in Australia so she gets 15/35th of the pension they are now living in Thailand on the pension I think it is time for me to bow out of the discussion Thanks for your input

[Ron19]

1 hour ago, Ban Phe Dezza said:

OK different storey I have a Brit/Aussie friend who is married to  Thai lady she spent 15 years working in Australia so she gets 15/35th of the pension they are now living in Thailand on the pension I think it is time for me to bow out of the discussion Thanks for your input

Thank you for your thoughts I just wish I knew where this is going to end up. Since the 1st post I have spoken to my wife and she is presently copying land documents for a niece to email me and then has to get a bank statement on Monday and do the same with that. Only hope now is that they will accept those as is.

 

Edit- unrelated but relevant is the fact that the application was submitted on the 14th of march and I was given an estimated date 3rd of May for a decision.The assessor rang me late afternoon on the 2nd of May and gave me the list of extra documents required.

[Ban Phe Dezza]

50 minutes ago, Ron19 said:

Thank you for your thoughts I just wish I knew where this is going to end up. Since the 1st post I have spoken to my wife and she is presently copying land documents for a niece to email me and then has to get a bank statement on Monday and do the same with that. Only hope now is that they will accept those as is.

 

Edit- unrelated but relevant is the fact that the application was submitted on the 14th of march and I was given an estimated date 3rd of May for a decision.The assessor rang me late afternoon on the 2nd of May and gave me the list of extra documents required.

when you applied you could have followed an Old Yorkshire Saying (when in Doubt say Nought )

UnFortunately  your Wife is an Aussie re the Land  Non Thai's are not allowed to own land here

IMHO you tried to give them to much info and are paying the price

<deleted> are Thai Documents to do with  Centrlink   

 You are between a rock and a hard place

[BEVUP]

14 minutes ago, Ban Phe Dezza said:

<deleted> are Thai Documents to do with  Centrlink   

I'm sure they are assessing all assets as a married couple

OH! BPD , did you just say to them "By the way I'm moving to Thailand ", to enable your pension to be sent there 

[Ron19]

2 hours ago, BEVUP said:

I'm sure they are assessing all assets as a married couple

OH! BPD , did you just say to them "By the way I'm moving to Thailand ", to enable your pension to be sent there 

No.

[malt25]

17 hours ago, BEVUP said:

I'm sure they are assessing all assets as a married couple

OH! BPD , did you just say to them "By the way I'm moving to Thailand ", to enable your pension to be sent there 

As a matter of interest. Why would you tell Centerlink you are moving to Thailand ? Also why have pension payments paid/sent to Thailand ?

 

[BEVUP]

16 minutes ago, malt25 said:

As a matter of interest. Why would you tell Centerlink you are moving to Thailand ? Also why have pension payments paid/sent to Thailand ?

 

It's just that I have actually read on this Forum that some people have it sent here.

They also mention that dealing with the Hobart branch, so they must know they live here 

[sirmud63]

2 minutes ago, BEVUP said:

It's just that I have actually read on this Forum that some people have it sent here.

They also mention that dealing with the Hobart branch, so they must know they live here 

yes, even with portability ,you have to inform them of your movements.

 i have a DSP with portability , means i can live anywhere in the world for as long as i like on full pension ,rental asistance ceases after 26 weeks tho .

the hobart branch deals specifically with portability applications .

you can have it payed to any bank account anywhere in the world also .

 

[malt25]

3 minutes ago, sirmud63 said:

yes, even with portability ,you have to inform them of your movements.

 i have a DSP with portability , means i can live anywhere in the world for as long as i like on full pension ,rental asistance ceases after 26 weeks tho .

the hobart branch deals specifically with portability applications .

you can have it payed to any bank account anywhere in the world also .

 

Why do you have to inform them of your movements ? They are informed via Border Security, passport, that you are leaving the country. DEFAT & Centerlink are linked by computer so they are aware you are "travelling" overseas. They don't need to know where you lay your head each night & for how many nights.

[BEVUP]

13 minutes ago, sirmud63 said:

yes, even with portability ,you have to inform them of your movements.

So if I was to apply for OAP & mention outright that I plan to travel SEA & make Thailand a base (giving Thai bank account ) it would be ok.

You have quite a few people on here saying that you don't tell CL anything & that you are planning to stay in Auss 

 

It all seems to be contradicting 

 

So how would one actually get portability

 

Edited May 6, 2018 by BEVUP

[sirmud63]

6 minutes ago, malt25 said:

Why do you have to inform them of your movements ? They are informed via Border Security, passport, that you are leaving the country. DEFAT & Centerlink are linked by computer so they are aware you are "travelling" overseas. They don't need to know where you lay your head each night & for how many nights.

1. to guard against fraud .

2.thats there rules, i play by them. i have nothing to hide .

[sirmud63]

10 minutes ago, BEVUP said:

So if I was to apply for OAP & mention outright that I plan to travel SEA & make Thailand a base (giving Thai bank account ) it would be ok.

You have quite a few people on here saying that you don't tell CL anything & that you are planning to stay in Auss 

 

It all seems to be contradicting 

 

yes, i know few people that did just that ,but like i said , im on a DSP ,not OAP. its abit differant .

 

[BEVUP]

& one more thing 

Have all of you mentioned your wifes & kids

I ask this ( & I know people may not mention here ), because I'm sure I didn't mention to Embassy that I'm married (I used an agent since I was new on the scene ).

My wife/ son have no connection to Auss & have only been Tourists a few times

But I'm sure they will take an interest in my Passport as it will show the coming & goings to Thailand for 20 yrs

[malt25]

30 minutes ago, sirmud63 said:

1. to guard against fraud .

2.thats there rules, i play by them. i have nothing to hide .

I think many get into uncertain waters by divulging too much information when NO specific question has been asked. Answer all their questions truthfully, but why provide more information than has been requested ?

International Services, based in Hobart. is a good source of information, but you don't have to report anything to them. Deal through a local Centerlink office for any advice & assistance.

It works for me.

[malt25]

43 minutes ago, BEVUP said:

& one more thing 

Have all of you mentioned your wifes & kids

I ask this ( & I know people may not mention here ), because I'm sure I didn't mention to Embassy that I'm married (I used an agent since I was new on the scene ).

My wife/ son have no connection to Auss & have only been Tourists a few times

But I'm sure they will take an interest in my Passport as it will show the coming & goings to Thailand for 20 yrs

As a matter of interest..... What name does your wife & son have in their passport ? Thai name or your name ?

[BEVUP]

3 minutes ago, malt25 said:

As a matter of interest..... What name does your wife & son have in their passport ? Thai name or your name ?

My name

[sirmud63]

25 minutes ago, malt25 said:

I think many get into uncertain waters by divulging too much information when NO specific question has been asked. Answer all their questions truthfully, but why provide more information than has been requested ?

International Services, based in Hobart. is a good source of information, but you don't have to report anything to them. Deal through a local Centerlink office for any advice & assistance.

It works for me.

bit hard to do when you live overseas mate . 

every thing can be done online these days ,they will set you up with a my gov acc on there website . you can do anything on there that you can do face to face at your local office .

[malt25]

10 minutes ago, sirmud63 said:

bit hard to do when you live overseas mate . 

every thing can be done online these days ,they will set you up with a my gov acc on there website . you can do anything on there that you can do face to face at your local office .

Agreed. I guess I overlooked in mentioning that I return to Oz twice a year for a couple of weeks to visit family. I do have a my gov account.

[Ban Phe Dezza]

On 5/6/2018 at 8:20 AM, BEVUP said:

It's just that I have actually read on this Forum that some people have it sent here.

They also mention that dealing with the Hobart branch, so they must know they live here 

Payments go  direct into your local  Bank much better than ATM withdrawals from OZ