Have I Missed the Boat ?

[Hummin]

37 minutes ago, bignok said:

Pensions are for poor people. They get reduced if you earn over a certain amount or have too much money.

 

Some shares yield 7% which is much better than interest.

1755 Australian dollars a month, and will be punished to double it?

 

Is this pension, or social security because you did not save for pension? 

 

[Artisi]

1 hour ago, gargamon said:

So that would make you 83 now. Ask your son next time you're out playing catch, teaching him tennis, etc etc how he enjoys having such an old parent. Oh, you don't do stuff like that? That is exactly my point. 

Life doesn't revolve around catch and tennis, yes I have my limitations but there are plenty of other activities - plus I've never heard any complaints but always lots of thank you's for his violin and drum lessons, Tae Kwon Do, fishing, swimming and good life lessons.

 

So what is your point. 

Edited September 11, 2023 by Artisi

[Hummin]

Just now, Artisi said:

Life doesn't revolve catch and tennis, yes I have my limitations but there are plenty of other activities - plus I've never heard any complaints but always lots of thank you's for his violin and drum lessons, Tae Kwon Do, fishing, swimming and good life lessons.

 

So what is your point. 

The point is, seen from outsiders perspective, being an old dad is not optimal, but for many kids, optimal dads, just doesn't exists. 

 

I'm sure you doing well, keep on going strong!

 

Personally I just do not want kids, not before my 50'ies and not after.

[gargamon]

27 minutes ago, Artisi said:

Life doesn't revolve around catch and tennis, yes I have my limitations but there are plenty of other activities - plus I've never heard any complaints but always lots of thank you's for his violin and drum lessons, Tae Kwon Do, fishing, swimming and good life lessons.

 

So what is your point. 

So you're paying people to do your parenting then. Nice. 

[Tropposurfer]

If you live in the countryside and live simply (this can still be very pleasant), a game of golf at the local course, a game of tennis or some gym workouts, a few beers, a flight for a holiday to another localised nation every now and then, a small Thai built Japanese Korean or Chinese brand car (no import tax), you could manage.

You MUST be on the Aged Pension for 2 years and a resident of Australia before you take it with you O/S (otherwise you loose it) then you can simple transfer the Pension anywhere in the world you please and access it easily.

You can import your household goods too for FREE (one off import in concert with a retirement visa) for only the price of the shipping and container.

So if you have decent stuff and can fill your home with useful practical things then the shipping cost might prove a good idea rather than have to buy new stuff here and not have as much of the things you might like want and find useful around you.

 

Yep medical insurance is expensive for those over 60-65. I pay over 12K a year now at age 67 (for a Platinum level coverage till death.) Policy was taken out at age 64.

 

Personally I would not retire here with the pension and a lump sum of 400K odd AUD you have in hand (you haven't stipulated if the 400K'ish is all you have or property value at sale, super, or both).

 

If you have a home worth 400K, plus super, and  a car, and household items to sell and squirrel the cash away then maybe you can add a few thousand to your pot n' make decent lifestyle choices here.

The amount you might live on is subjective to you. I say this because we like to travel and do other things in daily life that cost. For you and others 400 odd K life would work wonderfully in a LOS lifestyle.

 

I'd say to have decent, not-too-frugal wholesome life you need a mil AUD AND the FULL-Pension.

Unless living upcountry and not doing or going anywhere much suits you (little international travel in that figure), this would give you funds for a decent basic hospital coverage and capacity to co-pay if any additional medical treatments are needed without killing you on your savings, and monthly premium payments.

 

Its possible to live on 2K AUD a month upcountry and enjoy a simple peaceful life, but as the years pass this will increase. But this would be a pretty restricted lifestyle by my reckoning.

Phuket add another 1000 AUD minimum to that (these figures include renting not buying a place to live). Expect in a place like Phuket, Chiang Mai Bangkok Pattaya and other larger hubs for this to rise steadily.

If living and wanting to stay as safe as possible, a car is essential, NO bikes if you wanna stay safe long term. A nice new 4 cylinder a Japanese type car (assembled in LOS - for no import duty) costs around 25K AUD.

 

If your daughter is smart and wants to develop herself then as one OP posted maybe bring here to Oz, settle her in school and set her up for uni and a great education, and in the meantime set up your move.

Good luck with your choices.

 

At 74 you are getting along somewhat so I would think if I were you I would get a move on if I decide to make the move to LOS so I could enjoy the delicious food, the laidback lifestyle, and excitement of exploring such a change.

 

 

 

Edited September 11, 2023 by Tropposurfer

[Artisi]

29 minutes ago, gargamon said:

So you're paying people to do your parenting then. Nice. 

And what have you done other than attempting to belittle people?

 

Oh! I know you kick a football or throw a ball around for 5 minutes occasionally - so that's your definition of parenting, wow your kids (that's if you have any) must be thrilled, what a great dad. 

[bignok]

16 minutes ago, Artisi said:

And what have you done other than attempting to belittle people?

 

Oh! I know you kick a football or throw a ball around for 5 minutes occasionally - so that's your definition of parenting, wow your kids (that's if you have any) must be thrilled, what a great dad. 

So you pay a kid to do stuff. Anyone can do that via charity.

[bignok]

53 minutes ago, Tropposurfer said:

If you live in the countryside and live simply (this can still be very pleasant), a game of golf at the local course, a game of tennis or some gym workouts, a few beers, a flight for a holiday to another localised nation every now and then, a small Thai built Japanese Korean or Chinese brand car (no import tax), you could manage.

You MUST be on the Aged Pension for 2 years and a resident of Australia before you take it with you O/S (otherwise you loose it) then you can simple transfer the Pension anywhere in the world you please and access it easily.

You can import your household goods too for FREE (one off import in concert with a retirement visa) for only the price of the shipping and container.

So if you have decent stuff and can fill your home with useful practical things then the shipping cost might prove a good idea rather than have to buy new stuff here and not have as much of the things you might like want and find useful around you.

 

Yep medical insurance is expensive for those over 60-65. I pay over 12K a year now at age 67 (for a Platinum level coverage till death.) Policy was taken out at age 64.

 

Personally I would not retire here with the pension and a lump sum of 400K odd AUD you have in hand (you haven't stipulated if the 400K'ish is all you have or property value at sale, super, or both).

 

If you have a home worth 400K, plus super, and  a car, and household items to sell and squirrel the cash away then maybe you can add a few thousand to your pot n' make decent lifestyle choices here.

The amount you might live on is subjective to you. I say this because we like to travel and do other things in daily life that cost. For you and others 400 odd K life would work wonderfully in a LOS lifestyle.

 

I'd say to have decent, not-too-frugal wholesome life you need a mil AUD AND the FULL-Pension.

Unless living upcountry and not doing or going anywhere much suits you (little international travel in that figure), this would give you funds for a decent basic hospital coverage and capacity to co-pay if any additional medical treatments are needed without killing you on your savings, and monthly premium payments.

 

Its possible to live on 2K AUD a month upcountry and enjoy a simple peaceful life, but as the years pass this will increase. But this would be a pretty restricted lifestyle by my reckoning.

Phuket add another 1000 AUD minimum to that (these figures include renting not buying a place to live). Expect in a place like Phuket, Chiang Mai Bangkok Pattaya and other larger hubs for this to rise steadily.

If living and wanting to stay as safe as possible, a car is essential, NO bikes if you wanna stay safe long term. A nice new 4 cylinder a Japanese type car (assembled in LOS - for no import duty) costs around 25K AUD.

 

If your daughter is smart and wants to develop herself then as one OP posted maybe bring here to Oz, settle her in school and set her up for uni and a great education, and in the meantime set up your move.

Good luck with your choices.

 

At 74 you are getting along somewhat so I would think if I were you I would get a move on if I decide to make the move to LOS so I could enjoy the delicious food, the laidback lifestyle, and excitement of exploring such a change.

 

 

 

I can travel on $500 a week and have an awesome time. If renting by month $400 is enough.

[bignok]

1 hour ago, Tropposurfer said:

If you live in the countryside and live simply (this can still be very pleasant), a game of golf at the local course, a game of tennis or some gym workouts, a few beers, a flight for a holiday to another localised nation every now and then, a small Thai built Japanese Korean or Chinese brand car (no import tax), you could manage.

You MUST be on the Aged Pension for 2 years and a resident of Australia before you take it with you O/S (otherwise you loose it) then you can simple transfer the Pension anywhere in the world you please and access it easily.

You can import your household goods too for FREE (one off import in concert with a retirement visa) for only the price of the shipping and container.

So if you have decent stuff and can fill your home with useful practical things then the shipping cost might prove a good idea rather than have to buy new stuff here and not have as much of the things you might like want and find useful around you.

 

Yep medical insurance is expensive for those over 60-65. I pay over 12K a year now at age 67 (for a Platinum level coverage till death.) Policy was taken out at age 64.

 

Personally I would not retire here with the pension and a lump sum of 400K odd AUD you have in hand (you haven't stipulated if the 400K'ish is all you have or property value at sale, super, or both).

 

If you have a home worth 400K, plus super, and  a car, and household items to sell and squirrel the cash away then maybe you can add a few thousand to your pot n' make decent lifestyle choices here.

The amount you might live on is subjective to you. I say this because we like to travel and do other things in daily life that cost. For you and others 400 odd K life would work wonderfully in a LOS lifestyle.

 

I'd say to have decent, not-too-frugal wholesome life you need a mil AUD AND the FULL-Pension.

Unless living upcountry and not doing or going anywhere much suits you (little international travel in that figure), this would give you funds for a decent basic hospital coverage and capacity to co-pay if any additional medical treatments are needed without killing you on your savings, and monthly premium payments.

 

Its possible to live on 2K AUD a month upcountry and enjoy a simple peaceful life, but as the years pass this will increase. But this would be a pretty restricted lifestyle by my reckoning.

Phuket add another 1000 AUD minimum to that (these figures include renting not buying a place to live). Expect in a place like Phuket, Chiang Mai Bangkok Pattaya and other larger hubs for this to rise steadily.

If living and wanting to stay as safe as possible, a car is essential, NO bikes if you wanna stay safe long term. A nice new 4 cylinder a Japanese type car (assembled in LOS - for no import duty) costs around 25K AUD.

 

If your daughter is smart and wants to develop herself then as one OP posted maybe bring here to Oz, settle her in school and set her up for uni and a great education, and in the meantime set up your move.

Good luck with your choices.

 

At 74 you are getting along somewhat so I would think if I were you I would get a move on if I decide to make the move to LOS so I could enjoy the delicious food, the laidback lifestyle, and excitement of exploring such a change.

 

 

 

What is a LOS lifestyle?

[BritTim]

1 hour ago, gargamon said:

So you're paying people to do your parenting then. Nice. 

I am pretty impressed that, because you are younger, you are able to competently teach your children violin, drums and taekwondo. Do you home school them also? Surely, you would not pay anyone else to help teach your children.

[advancebooking]

9 mill is not a lot. Do you have a house on syd harbour that you can sell?

 

Any pre existing conditions re your health. Its the number 1 issue you should consider at your age. If in good health I would make the move if I were you and live in cheap area /. non touristy. 

 

Anything has to be better than wasting your life in the nanny state of oz. 

Edited September 11, 2023 by advancebooking

[Shop mak]

2 hours ago, Tropposurfer said:

You MUST be on the Aged Pension for 2 years and a resident of Australia before you take it with you O/S (otherwise you loose it) then you can simple transfer the Pension anywhere in the world you please and access it easily.

If this is the situation for Australians (and I have no reason to doubt it) this should be the most important for OP.

 

OP still working, have to make a big choice: retire instantly and wait 2 years - or - continue to visit here on holiday only.

 

If I had posted my hospital invoices for the last years, OP would never ever move here neither at age 72, or future age 74. Spoiler alert, no money for your daughter.

 

Enjoy free healthcare back home. The alternative abroad can eat up ones savings very fast, at older age.

[thailand49]

4 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Same everywhere in the west (excluding France).

How is that?  I'm from the states I've purchase a number of property had some sold I've not had my pension been calculated based on what my assets whether in property or the bank.  

I not a world traveler or claim to know what every country does the discussion of his pension is interesting and bazaar to me. Does a Assie make contributions to it or is it a socialist program?

With all the American bashing in this situation I'm glad I'm not from down under. ????

[BritManToo]

6 minutes ago, thailand49 said:

How is that?  I'm from the states I've purchase a number of property had some sold I've not had my pension been calculated based on what my assets whether in property or the bank.  

I not a world traveler or claim to know what every country does the discussion of his pension is interesting and bazaar to me. Does a Assie make contributions to it or is it a socialist program?

With all the American bashing in this situation I'm glad I'm not from down under. ????

NZ And Oz want you living in country and see a pension as welfare.

UK you pay for your pension around 20% of you salary, but they stop all rises if you move out of country.

It's a bit of a mix really, but it does appear with many new regulations (banking, finance, pensions, Brexit, COVID) that the west wants it's old folk to stay home and make retiring overseas as difficult as possible.

Edited September 11, 2023 by BritManToo

[In the jungle]

3 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

What are the finer things in life? - Tina Dubinsky, Writer

Well that is her definition as opposed to yours.  In fact she gives more than one definition.

 

I tend to agree with her second definition as opposed to consumer tat.

[Shop mak]

@lolex a must read for you

 

 

 

[gargamon]

2 hours ago, Artisi said:

And what have you done other than attempting to belittle people?

 

Oh! I know you kick a football or throw a ball around for 5 minutes occasionally - so that's your definition of parenting, wow your kids (that's if you have any) must be thrilled, what a great dad. 

Nope. Never wanted children. Never had children, at least none I had to pay for. There's more to life than children. As I always say, the rich get richer, the poor get children. 

[Bobthegimp]

If the OP is working in a call center, living in Thailand on 40k baht plus 9 million in the bank will be easy street. 

 

Is 40k baht per month enough to keep the OP in shrimp and goon bags? Wine is quite expensive here. 

[bignok]

29 minutes ago, gargamon said:

Nope. Never wanted children. Never had children, at least none I had to pay for. There's more to life than children. As I always say, the rich get richer, the poor get children. 

Well you are doing more for climate than all the left with 3 kids.

[bignok]

3 minutes ago, Bobthegimp said:

If the OP is working in a call center, living in Thailand on 40k baht plus 9 million in the bank will be easy street. 

 

Is 40k baht per month enough to keep the OP in shrimp and goon bags? Wine is quite expensive here. 

Beer and Sangsom is cheap in 7/11. Dont need wine. Still he's better off visting 5 times a year. 

[Hummin]

1 minute ago, Bobthegimp said:

If the OP is working in a call center, living in Thailand on 40k baht plus 9 million in the bank will be easy street. 

 

Is 40k baht per month enough to keep the OP in shrimp and goon bags? Wine is quite expensive here. 

You can live on 20k easy as a couple on a farm in Isan. All included, but insurance, travelling and holidays would eat up the Budget of 40k easily.

 

You can buy 5 rai and build for easily 3mill included a motorbike and a car. But again, that I 1/3 of his savings, so he need to put it all in a name of one he trust. 

 

On paper it looks always good, but still, 40k a month, is a bit short for most.

[khunPer]

On 9/9/2023 at 1:39 PM, lolex said:

So some background. I'm 72. Australian. I have a luuk kreung daughter who is 11 years old and a Thai wife. We've never lived together but we get on well when I've stayed for a few months. I'm still working ( to generate money to help maintain my superannuation. )

 

Now I could sell up in Australia...raise around B9m and get a pension of about B40,000 per month. But if I live another 15 years the capital might not last long enough to leave some money to my daughter

I understand about the marriage visa and reporting requirements. That's ok. Two things I don't understand.

 

First...medical insurance or self-insurance. I think you can self-insure by putting B1m in a bank account. But what happens if you need to use half of it for a heart attack? Do you have to replenish it? And will they chuck you out if you can't top it back up. (The prices for annual insurance over 70 appear exorbitant.)

 

Second, the Government seems to have been becoming less and less welcoming and comfortable with ordinary farangs (as opposed to super wealthy ones) in the last 10 years. It could change with the new Government, but who knows which way? I worry that the government might continue raising the bar until I'm no longer able to stay (but I've burned my boats in Australia).

 

Any good information and sound thoughts appreciated !

You can get an non-immigration O-visa and extensions of stay based on either marriage or supporting your daughter. If based on marriage, you need to prove that you live together with your wife.

 

Medical insurance is not a demand on a non-immigrant O-visa and extension of stay based on marriage or child support; however often advisable to have an insurance. It can however be costly when 72 years old, and by some insurance companies difficult to get in. The self-insurance option – i.e. keeping a rainy day-deposit for emergency – works as long as there is money. If you use half of, or the whole, deposit, there is only half or no money left. When being self-insured you should continuously add up in the deposit, like paying into an insurance every month. Personally I use the self-insurance method and pay a small fee, equivalent to an affordable insurance, into my rainy day-account every month.

To my knowledge it's not more complicated to be a foreigner living in Thailand than before – I've been living here since 2005 on retirement extensions from 2007, when no longer needed to visit my home country – but the various immigration offices have become little more strict with the documentation, especially the financial. I've burned my bridges to my home country and believe in, that if the financial limits raise at some time in the future, the Thai authorities will once again offer a "grandfather" possibility for those of us "veterans" that began out extensions of stay under old regulations; that has been done before.

[thailand49]

3 hours ago, BritManToo said:

NZ And Oz want you living in country and see a pension as welfare.

UK you pay for your pension around 20% of you salary, but they stop all rises if you move out of country.

It's a bit of a mix really, but it does appear with many new regulations (banking, finance, pensions, Brexit, COVID) that the west wants it's old folk to stay home and make retiring overseas as difficult as possible.

Thanks for the reply.  I can understand a country wanting you to retired so one can spend on their economy. The pension being spoke of here does a citizen contribute into it if so a country like Australia supposedly free telling it's citizen where they can live in today's world where leaders of free world speak so free about Global economy. 

I know a number of Brit's here and they have spoken about not getting a Cost of living increase and that is really a shame another reason I poke them whenever I can the reason the Great is gone from the British. It is really a shame countries who claim to be so free speak of Human Rights have no problem f-cking their own while their tax dollars spending sailors to help everyone who hates and backstabbing the hand that feed them. 

So far America in spite of hate from the world hasn't bother I still get my social security COLA which last year 8 plus percent. I once was back home invited to a labor meeting current house speaker I was offended, whenever I hear any politician get up on their politico soap box say my S.S. is an Entitlement.

When I heard it I went off on him " I gave him a tongue lashing he didn't expect from a Asian American I was force to put into the program I had no choice like many of they aren't the problem  it is the government running them. I was told if I put in when time comes I get a return,  no different than a 401 etc. now when it is time you call it an entitlement because politician like you dipped into the funds borrow to find other project. While politician come and go make promises represent a few years then are entitle to full medical and pension. for life "

There is more than enough as long as it is for war and buying so call friends around the world that hate us. 

It seems it isn't just America, in today's world when it comes to ????trade it is global but when it comes to hard working people it is the same up the add with a red hot poker

 

[DrJack54]

This thread is a slow train wreck.

Should have been in general topics forum or Pub Forum.from the start.

 

Not really visa related.

It's very clear re living in Thailand the OP can use non O with ongoing extensions based on marriage or.....based on Thai child.

[BritTim]

The OP has heard the various, widely divergent opinions on how he should live his life, and whether he should consider a long distance relationship with his family as real. I do not think further discussion is going to help him. It is up to him now to make his own decisions. This thread is

 

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