UK State pension frozen when residing in Thailand

[Tiber]

On 2/29/2024 at 4:10 AM, kimamey said:

 

When I first used it they told me to contact the DWP, who then told me to contact the IPC again. I asked where I could find the rules regarding frozen pensions as I couldn't find them on gov.uk and I was told "It will be on there somewhere". Not particularly helpful.

Before phoning them, and because they are obviously busy I tried looking on the website with the results I mention above. I also used their online enquiry form, twice with no reply. I suspect that's their to avoid phone calls in the hope people give up. It certainly isn't a way to get information.

  

   Cannot agree more, they do not want to answer.   A certain admission letter from a wrongdoer from a poster few years ago (other thread) to DWP I asked for details, they  did admit there was something, highly unusual  about its offering.   IM asking again through  Freedom of Information, no answer to date

[agogohome]

Every petition for the past three decades I've lived in Thailand for has been rejected by the UK government.

Regardless of who's in power at the time, the same 'canned' replies are made: "we will update pensions where there is a legal requirement to do so". 

The whole process of complaing is utterly pointless - and will never, ever, EVER change. 

[Eddie45]

On 11/29/2023 at 5:46 AM, lopburi3 said:

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

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

[lopburi3]

1 hour ago, Eddie45 said:

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

I have no such pension - not from UK.  

[Eddie45]

20 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

I have no such pension - not from UK.  

Okay.

[simon43]

I found an interesting report about UK frozen pensions in Thailand.

 

We moan that there is no social security agreement between Thailand and the UK re pensions, and that perhaps our complaining/lobbying should be directed at the Thai authorities to request such an agreement.

 

But Thailand already did!

 

According to this report:

 

https://www.narpo.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Frozen-Overseas-Pensions.pdf

 

Thailand made a formal request in 2010 for a social security agreement re pensions, and had their request been accepted by the UK authorities, then UK pensions would not be frozen now for those living in Thailand.

 

So it seems that no blame or criticism can be directed towards the Thai authorities, but 100% towards the UK authorities.

 

When's the next available flight to Manila? 🙂

[Eddie45]

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.