UK State pension frozen when residing in Thailand

[EcureuilTenace]

Not really the right forum but the closest I could find.

If you reside in Thailand, you will have missed a large  increase in the UK State Pension and will soon miss another large one.

If you are unaware, there is a petition on the UK government site to get the current rate and the future increases.

It is open to resident of the UK and UK citizen (unfortunately not open for me, I'm Belgian)

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/642749

While I'm here. I suspect there is no way round that freeze apart from spending 6 months in the UK, correct?

Kind regards to all

[Moonlover]

Yes we are aware.

 

Yes this is the wrong forum for this topic.

 

Petitions are a waste of time, but thanks for trying.

[Will B Good]

  On 11/29/2023 at 5:18 AM, EcureuilTenace said:

Not really the right forum but the closest I could find.

If you reside in Thailand, you will have missed a large  increase in the UK State Pension and will soon miss another large one.

If you are unaware, there is a petition on the UK government site to get the current rate and the future increases.

It is open to resident of the UK and UK citizen (unfortunately not open for me, I'm Belgian)

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/642749

While I'm here. I suspect there is no way round that freeze apart from spending 6 months in the UK, correct?

Kind regards to all

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Nice try....but we have a Tory government in its death throes (thank heavens) so nothing will change.................however,

 

...........given that Hunt keeps telling us what an amazingly strong and vibrant economy we have......who knows?

[lopburi3]

  On 11/29/2023 at 5:18 AM, EcureuilTenace said:

I suspect there is no way round that freeze apart from spending 6 months in the UK, correct?

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Do not believe the freeze applies to all countries so perhaps move to Philippines in the local area.

https://britishpensions.org.au/archive/frozenindexed.htm

[NoshowJones]

  On 11/29/2023 at 5:38 AM, Will B Good said:

Nice try....but we have a Tory government in its death throes (thank heavens) so nothing will change.................however,

 

...........given that Hunt keeps telling us what an amazingly strong and vibrant economy we have......who knows?

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The Labour government are the same thieving lot that the Tories are. They have had the same chance to stop thieving from the UK OAP's living in certain countries abroad as the Tories. Why can't some people see this?

[Georgealbert]

  On 11/29/2023 at 5:18 AM, EcureuilTenace said:

Not really the right forum but the closest I could find.

If you reside in Thailand, you will have missed a large  increase in the UK State Pension and will soon miss another large one.

If you are unaware, there is a petition on the UK government site to get the current rate and the future increases.

It is open to resident of the UK and UK citizen (unfortunately not open for me, I'm Belgian)

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/642749

While I'm here. I suspect there is no way round that freeze apart from spending 6 months in the UK, correct?

Kind regards to all

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The only way around it would be to never to inform them you left the UK or Belgium, some members here will tell you that there is no risk doing that, but too late if their already know your in Thailand or if it worries you to lie.

 

More info in these threads.

 

 

 

[Will B Good]

  On 11/29/2023 at 5:46 AM, NoshowJones said:

The Labour government are the same thieving lot that the Tories are. They have had the same chance to stop thieving from the UK OAP's living in certain countries abroad as the Tories. Why can't some people see this?

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The wasters living abroad (I'm one) simply don't hold enough sway, in a voting sense, so nothing will ever happen.

[Denim]

  On 11/29/2023 at 5:18 AM, EcureuilTenace said:

If you reside in Thailand, you will have missed a large  increase in the UK State Pension and will soon miss another large one.

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Unless you don't tell them you live in Thailand.  Got my increase and will get the next one too !

 

Treat the DWP like mushrooms.

[Thailand]

  On 11/29/2023 at 5:54 AM, Denim said:

 

Unless you don't tell them you live in Thailand.  Got my increase and will get the next one too !

 

Treat the DWP like mushrooms.

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The same mushrooms that were able to put a company that I had paid up private pensions with from the early 1970's that I had forgotten about in touch with me that resulted in very welcome payout for me 2 years ago.

Probably not as dumb as some would like to think perhaps?

Lie to them at your own risk.

[The Cyclist]

With up to £8 million a day required to house illegal guests, no Government, Tory or Labour will be unfreezing State Pensions.

[blackcab]

Moved to the Home Country forum.

[BritManToo]

  On 11/29/2023 at 5:18 AM, EcureuilTenace said:

While I'm here. I suspect there is no way round that freeze apart from spending 6 months in the UK, correct?

Kind regards to all

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Don't tell them you left the UK, and they won't know.

[youreavinalaff]

  On 11/29/2023 at 5:49 AM, Will B Good said:

The wasters living abroad (I'm one) simply don't hold enough sway, in a voting sense, so nothing will ever happen.

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Those living abroad in some countries. 

[Huckenfell]

Why is the business of the government where one lives just as long as one is legally entitled to the pension?

[vinny41]

  On 11/29/2023 at 7:12 AM, BritManToo said:

Don't tell them you left the UK, and they won't know.

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When they access your bank account they might know

New laws allowing the Department for Work and Pensions to monitor the bank accounts of benefit claimants are predicted to lead to 7,400 extra prosecutions for fraud each year – resulting in 250 custodial sentences.

https://www.publictechnology.net/2023/11/28/society-and-welfare/dwp-estimates-access-to-benefit-claimants-bank-data-will-lead-to-7400-annual-prosecutions/

[Mike Lister]

  On 12/2/2023 at 5:08 PM, vinny41 said:

When they access your bank account they might know

New laws allowing the Department for Work and Pensions to monitor the bank accounts of benefit claimants are predicted to lead to 7,400 extra prosecutions for fraud each year – resulting in 250 custodial sentences.

https://www.publictechnology.net/2023/11/28/society-and-welfare/dwp-estimates-access-to-benefit-claimants-bank-data-will-lead-to-7400-annual-prosecutions/

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UK State Pension is not a benefit.

[BritManToo]

  On 12/2/2023 at 9:51 PM, Mike Lister said:

UK State Pension is not a benefit.

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Read the story, they're looking for people with savings in excess of benefit limits. Not to mention, I don't use my UK bank account for foreign payments or transfers.

[cooked]

 780 000 illegal immigrants to the UK this year, even if they don't all receive benefits, they consume resources.(3.6 billion a year). 

No money left. But that's me being racist of course. 

Compare it to Thai immigration policy.

[vinny41]

  On 12/2/2023 at 9:51 PM, Mike Lister said:

UK State Pension is not a benefit.

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Sorry but you are incorrect

The state pension is a benefit payment available to the majority of people when they reach the current State Pension age.

PetitionStop UK Government and Departments from labeling "State Pension" as benefits!

https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/121267

[BritManToo]

  On 12/2/2023 at 10:44 PM, vinny41 said:

Sorry but you are incorrect

The state pension is a benefit payment available to the majority of people when they reach the current State Pension age.

PetitionStop UK Government and Departments from labeling "State Pension" as benefits!

https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/121267

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Let's have link to any case of state pension benefits fraud then.

You can't because there are none.

[vinny41]

  On 12/2/2023 at 9:59 PM, BritManToo said:

Read the story, they're looking for people with savings in excess of benefit limits. Not to mention, I don't use my UK bank account for foreign payments or transfers.

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Some MP's don't believe the DWP

Sir Stephen Timms, the Labour chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, suggested its remit would go further, allowing ministers to view the banking details of any state pension recipients, whose payments are administered by the DWP.

https://www.independent.co.uk/money/new-data-powers-could-allow-dwp-to-snoop-on-pensioners-bank-accounts-b2455706.html

 

[vinny41]

  On 12/2/2023 at 10:47 PM, BritManToo said:

Let's have link to any case of state pension benefits fraud then.

You can't because there are none.

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I am sure that you read the

Government response to the petition

This response was given on 4 March 2016

The State Pension is described in legislation as a “benefit” in order to root it within the existing social security framework as a statutory scheme paid out of monies in the National Insurance Fund.

https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/121267

[BritManToo]

  On 12/2/2023 at 10:50 PM, vinny41 said:

Some MP's don't believe the DWP

Sir Stephen Timms, the Labour chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, suggested its remit would go further, allowing ministers to view the banking details of any state pension recipients, whose payments are administered by the DWP.

https://www.independent.co.uk/money/new-data-powers-could-allow-dwp-to-snoop-on-pensioners-bank-accounts-b2455706.html

 

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Nothing in my banking details for the police or DWP to see. More importantly, I don't want my UK bank knowing I'm overseas, they would cancel my account.

[vinny41]

  On 12/2/2023 at 10:56 PM, BritManToo said:

Nothing in my banking details for the police or DWP to see. More importantly, I don't want my UK bank knowing I'm overseas, they would cancel my account.

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If the law is passed the DWP can view anyone UK  bank details where dwp payments are sent

Speaking for the SNP, Patrick Grady said the Bill would grant the DWP powers to “proactively, regularly, and at scale, and on a speculative basis carry out checks on the bank accounts and finances of claimants”.

Labour former minister Sir Stephen meanwhile said: “This measure will give the Government the right to inspect the bank account of anyone who claims a state pension.

https://www.independent.co.uk/money/new-data-powers-could-allow-dwp-to-snoop-on-pensioners-bank-accounts-b2455706.html

[BritManToo]

  On 12/2/2023 at 11:07 PM, vinny41 said:

If the law is passed the DWP can view anyone UK  bank details where dwp payments are sent

Speaking for the SNP, Patrick Grady said the Bill would grant the DWP powers to “proactively, regularly, and at scale, and on a speculative basis carry out checks on the bank accounts and finances of claimants”.

Labour former minister Sir Stephen meanwhile said: “This measure will give the Government the right to inspect the bank account of anyone who claims a state pension.

https://www.independent.co.uk/money/new-data-powers-could-allow-dwp-to-snoop-on-pensioners-bank-accounts-b2455706.html

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You're missing the point!

UK banks cancel the accounts of Brits living overseas. There is no information for the DWP to see.

[vinny41]

  On 12/2/2023 at 11:09 PM, BritManToo said:

You're missing the point!

UK banks cancel the accounts of Brits living overseas. There is no information for the DWP to see.

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I think your missing the point 

You say you don't want the DWP to have access to your account ( I think the majority of people would agree)

Once the law has been passed DWP will have access regardless of your view unless you have an offshore account or an overseas account where they wouldn't have access

https://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/offshore-accounts-guide/#

[BritManToo]

  On 12/2/2023 at 11:17 PM, vinny41 said:

You say you don't want the DWP to have access to your account ( I think the majority of people would agree)

Once the law has been passed DWP will have access regardless of your view unless you have an offshore account or an overseas account where they wouldn't have access

https://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/offshore-accounts-guide/#

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I didn't say that at all.

The police have been looking for me (on and off) for the past 15 years, so I've always hidden my finances from my UK bank account (assuming the police will get a look at it). It's not hard to hide you just use a money moving service between your UK bank and where it's going.

Which means the authorities need multiple court orders to track your money movements, and they're just too lazy to bother for anything but major crimes.

 

The trick to dealing with any/all UK authorities, waste as much of their time and resources as you can, never admit anything, always force them to take you to court. They don't have the time, the money, or the interest to take court action against everyone. And in the end, prison isn't that bad a place for a homeless pensioner, it's warm, has a library and the meals are regular ........ not to mention free dental and health care.

 

An finally,

UK state pension isn't paid to you while you're in prison, they keep it in a holding account then you get it all in a lump sum when you get out. Better rules than a nursing home, where they sell your house then keep and spend your pension.

[scottiejohn]

  On 12/2/2023 at 11:59 PM, BritManToo said:

UK state pension isn't paid to you while you're in prison, they keep it in a holding account then you get it all in a lump sum when you get out.

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I do not think that is the case!  Can you please show a link to back that up.  All I can see on the UK Gov websites is that the pension is stopped completely when inside!

[BritManToo]

  On 12/3/2023 at 12:54 AM, scottiejohn said:

I do not think that is the case!  Can you please show a link to back that up.  All I can see on the UK Gov websites is that the pension is stopped completely when inside!

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Yeah, you're right ....... but only if you're sentenced.

If no sentence they pay you the money on release.

 

But still better than a nursing home IMHO.

[5davidhen1]

Just a small (perhaps insignificant, perhaps not) addition to this thread:

I know from personal experience that HMRC talks to DWP. So, if there's anything you don't want DWP to know about, make sure not to inform HMRC.