UK Pensioners in Thailand Face New Scrutiny Over Pension Fraud

[webfact]

File photo courtesy: Salzburg global x-account

 

British pensioners living abroad, including in Thailand, will soon face enhanced scrutiny as UK banking confidentiality is set to change under new legislation targeting pension fraud.

 

The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, currently under review in the House of Lords, is expected to take effect in early 2025, writes  Barry Kenyon for Pattaya Mail.

 

Under the bill, British banks and building societies must share account details with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) where there are suspicions of fraud involving British citizens, both in the UK and overseas.

 

The bill addresses cases of a small minority of British expats allegedly concealing their residence in countries where they are not eligible for inflation-linked increases to their state pensions.

While some countries, such as those in the EU and the Philippines, qualify for these annual increases, others - including Thailand and Australia - do not.

 

Currently, around 500,000 British pensioners reside in countries with “frozen” pensions, and the DWP estimates that overpayments due to fraud exceed £100 million.

 

Common tactics include maintaining a UK address for official DWP communications while living abroad. For example, a British pensioner based in Thailand was discovered last year after a neighbour returned a DWP letter with the note, “Lucky Sod Lives in Pattaya.”

 

In another instance, a Bangkok-based pensioner’s deception was uncovered when his wife discovered he was enjoying himself in Bangkok rather than working in Baghdad, as he had claimed.

 

However, Thailand’s advocacy group for ending frozen UK pensions argues that the issue of fraud is minor. A representative claimed that the primary issues are DWP processing errors and the discriminatory policy denying pension increases to expats based on location.

 

Neither the previous Conservative nor the current Labour government has addressed these concerns.

 

Additionally, pensioners have voiced frustrations with the unreliable international postal system. The UK authorities require proof of life certificates every three years to continue payments, but these documents are sent via regular mail, often resulting in lost letters and payment suspensions.

 

Frank Weston, 68, a Pattaya-based pensioner, described the system as “insane and discriminatory” and advocated for a shift to a fully digital process, reported Pattaya Mail.

 

-- 2024-11-15

 

 

 

[Chivas]

On an aside Britain currently provide £13.3 Billion annually in overseas aid to countries that even have space programmes

 

Yet lets crucify pensioners living abroad where the "fraud" is estimated at £100 million which is roughly 1/130 of that overseas aid total

 

Not having a pop at Labour or Conservatives per se

[Tropicalevo]

40 minutes ago, webfact said:

Common tactics include maintaining a UK address for official DWP communications while living abroad.

If you do the crime, do the time.

My pension has been frozen for almost nine years. That is one reason why I still work.

Yes, life is a bitch and then we die.

It is how we die that is important.

[John Drake]

Isn't the British government putting the squeeze on pensioners living in Britain by removing their heating subsidy? If they're willing to screw over the people living in the UK, imagine what they'll do to those living overseas.

[lordgrinz]

Maybe the UK government should stop treating it citizens like criminals, or second-class citizens, and start paying them their pensions unmolested. 

[chiang mai]

4 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

Maybe the UK government should stop treating it citizens like criminals, or second-class citizens, and start paying them their pensions unmolested. 

If my pension was molested I'd urge it to report the matter to the police, that sort of behaviour shouldn't be tolerated.

[ikke1959]

All thye immigrants must get money too and the people who worked their whole life for their pension are being punished ......Just as in Thailand there is no inflation... everything especially imported things are very very expensive... but some Governments don't care 

[Baht Simpson]

Like any decent human being I applaud the detection of fraud. However that doesn't detract from the fact that freezing pensions based solely on geography is monstrous.

 

I'm also not happy with them acquiring information from banks without my knowledge. 

 

This may lead to banks who allow expats to run an account in the U.K. to stop as it's not worth the extra admin. and they will close accounts arbitrarily. 

[normanx1234]

That particular Bill is dead:

 

https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3430/news

 

So only an issue if Labour introduce something similar.

[Gottfrid]

Yeah, all the Brits who moves to Thailand or lives here, knows the rules. Fair or unfair, has nothing to do with it. If they make a choice to move to Thailand, they will also make a choice to go by the rules. Break them, and sooner or later you will have to pay for it. Something that might be so hard that they can not stay in Thailand no more. 

 

Welcome to Thailand! Stop hiding and breaking the law. If you can´t afford it, Thailand is not for you. Then it´s better to chose a country where can get your full pension.

[Chivas]

26 minutes ago, Baht Simpson said:

Like any decent human being I applaud the detection of fraud. However that doesn't detract from the fact that freezing pensions based solely on geography is monstrous.

 

I'm also not happy with them acquiring information from banks without my knowledge. 

 

This may lead to banks who allow expats to run an account in the U.K. to stop as it's not worth the extra admin. and they will close accounts arbitrarily. 

 

i can assure you that they've always had that "aquiring information" facility and I'll leave it at that lol

I suspect with the new act they wont need a magistrates or judges direction as they do currently and thats the difference

 

Should be noted that the DWP are not going to go willy nilly into peoples bank accounts who are not in receipt of "state benefits" per se Pension Credit or Housing Benefit blah blah blah

 

This act is mainly aimed at those on benefits and not entitled to them albeit this frozen pension dedection is a step too far

 

Should also be remembered this frozen pension bit has been like it for 70 years.....i

[sammieuk1]

My passport has "temporary stay " stamped in it so I don't or ever will live here end of story Keir 🤔

 

 

[quake]

Are the uk finally coming for the openly naughty boys in Thailand

and the vocal ones on Asean Now. 

Get' Em 

 

[quake]

3 hours ago, Chivas said:

On an aside Britain currently provide £13.3 Billion annually in overseas aid to countries that even have space programmes

 

The toss pots forgot it's uk citizens many years ago.

It started with Blair and is still running strong.

But the people of the government past and present,

Send there kids to private school and themselves  drive home in there BMW's every night.

No worries.

The Uk caring about it's people. NOT 

 

[brewsterbudgen]

I'll start getting mine in 2027 and like everyone here I deplore that fact there will be no 'triple lock' if I remain living in Thailand.

 

However, I have no issue with, and am glad to see, those who are defrauding the system getting penalised.

[Gottfrid]

39 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

I thought this pension freeze was only applied to certain countries, is this not discrimination?

Yes it is! But that does not justify moving to one of the countries willingly and knowingly and then think we own the right to complain.

[Gottfrid]

37 minutes ago, Chivas said:

 

I have absolutely no idea what you're babbling about

No, I already guessed that would be your answer. Are you hiding and receiving too much money? They are coming for everyone who does that.

[wombat]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

“insane and discriminatory

If that's what takes to get you off the books...meanwhile 

[happyaussie]

Your lucky. Australian pensioners cannot reside outside Australia and collect the pension. We are already one of the highest taxed countries in the world. The government wants it's pensioners to stay put so they can continue collecting tax. 

 

The hypocracy is that Australias $220k+ pa politicians receive a full pension after 5 years, can continue working in other fields and reside anywhere. 

 

it sucks.

[RayD]

What's the nearest country that doesn't freeze the pension and how long do I have to stay there?

[jippytum]

My UK Pension has been frozen for 15 years. 

I am not happy about that but accepted it when i relocated to Thailand. 

I know lots of  Residents here get the full UK pension and brag about getting the heating allowance by deception. 

[billzant]

1 hour ago, normanx1234 said:

That particular Bill is dead:

 

https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3430/news

 

So only an issue if Labour introduce something similar.

Norman,

 

Have I got this right? This Asean Now article, based on "The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, currently under review in the House of Lords, is expected to take effect in early 2025, writes  Barry Kenyon for Pattaya Mail." is irrelevant because there is now no bill going through parliament - since 22 April 2024..

 

Highly amusing for a news "organisation" or is it scare-mongering organisation?

 

.billz

[Celsius]

As I have been saying for years..... Britman is in big trouble.

 

Eventually this government stuff catches up with you and the easiest targets are always the poors.

 

 

 

 

[transam]

1 hour ago, Gottfrid said:

Yeah, all the Brits who moves to Thailand or lives here, knows the rules. Fair or unfair, has nothing to do with it. If they make a choice to move to Thailand, they will also make a choice to go by the rules. Break them, and sooner or later you will have to pay for it. Something that might be so hard that they can not stay in Thailand no more. 

 

Welcome to Thailand! Stop hiding and breaking the law. If you can´t afford it, Thailand is not for you. Then it´s better to chose a country where can get your full pension.

Our hi-so member is back, and may I ask him, does your country pay you your state pension if you live in Thailand..........?

Perhaps give details here on your country's payment system for you living in Thailand, I am sure we would all like to know......

[kiwikeith]

3 minutes ago, happyaussie said:

Your lucky. Australian pensioners cannot reside outside Australia and collect the pension. We are already one of the highest taxed countries in the world. The government wants it's pensioners to stay put so they can continue collecting tax. 

 

The hypocracy is that Australias $220k+ pa politicians receive a full pension after 5 years, can continue working in other fields and reside anywhere. 

 

it sucks.

Aussies can get the pension in Thailand but I think they have to go home for 2 years to qualify, maybe an Auss can explain, NZ its totally portable, hope it stays that way, Winston Peters just stopped the National govt from raising the age to 67, if they raise it much more many will die b4 they reach pension age ,but Politicians want that, narcissist's

[cjinchiangrai]

2 minutes ago, billzant said:

Norman,

 

Have I got this right? This Asean Now article, based on "The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, currently under review in the House of Lords, is expected to take effect in early 2025, writes  Barry Kenyon for Pattaya Mail." is irrelevant because there is now no bill going through parliament - since 22 April 2024..

 

Highly amusing for a news "organisation" or is it scare-mongering organisation?

 

.billz

Maybe they have been bought by the Murdoch Group.

[biggles45]

10 minutes ago, happyaussie said:

Your lucky. Australian pensioners cannot reside outside Australia and collect the pension.

This is incorrect. I personally know 3 Oz Citizens receiving the old age pension in Thailand. There are conditions and you don't get the allowances given to those in OZ. 

[transam]

I reckon on this subject the dots will line up for those on the UK pension fiddle, tech is moving on at a fast pace, but for those who are not on the fiddle, I just hope one day the Gov. does the right thing regarding frozen pensions, it's not as if pensions are frozen for us in every country in the World, is it.......... 

[animalmagic]

The biggest fraud is implementing a system where the UK Government can treat its pensioners unfairly based on where they live even though they have all contributed the same.

[Nicholas Paul KNIGHT]

The simple fact that the government can get details from your bank in order to detect FRAUD , is nothing NEW. Now for example they know where you are due to the Biometric details utilising the UK Customs and Excise departments . 

 Nothing new, those that maintain a UK address to get the uprating of pensions and benefits are not only acting criminally but also very stupidly . I have known one or two that have been caught and also some that still try to get around the system , although in honesty those numbers are dwindling as people realise the futility of their actions. 

24 years ago I knew the facts and figures relating to pensions especially their Old Age Pension, those that claim ignorance are themselves ignorant . No-one in their right mind moves to relocate to another country and does not check on every part of your life that will be affected including pensions.

The 3 year letter to prove life is as ludicrous as it is stupid, however it satisfies some oik in a Government Office somewhere and I would hate to deprive that person of a job . After nearly 24 years here The only problem has been postal notifications so 23 years ago acquired a PO Box, now no problems. If you have a problem solve it and stop bloody moaning