UK Pensioners in Thailand Face New Scrutiny Over Pension Fraud

[Keeps]

3 minutes ago, ericbj said:

Interesting.  The possible closure of my UK account has worried me since the govt gave the banks the go-ahead to do this without justification.  But so far, all is well.

Do you maintain a UK address linked to your UK bank account if you don't mind me asking?

[BritManToo]

9 minutes ago, ericbj said:

[With my UK bank I have always done that over the phone, after answering "security questions"]

off topic

That was in the past, this year it's a nightmare to regain access to a UK bank account.

I had to do it last month, when my UK bank updated their app to not work on my old phone.

[scottiejohn]

2 hours ago, sambum said:

 

Extract from Labour Manifesto 2019 - Page 76:-

" We will ensure that the pensions of UK citizens living overseas rise in line with pensions in Britain."

I do not believe that it made it into the 2024 manifesto which is what they were elected on!

[Superlight]

Same old from Hmg

Politicians and civil servants foul up and blame the paying public.

How about all the gov misuse

When pensions were first introduced they commenced at age 65; at that time life expectancy was 45 to 50...

Early 1960s civil servants started raiding the pension pot.

In the past 4 years HMG and co. Tried killing off large sections of the public (covid shots) and are still suceeding.

Now they are going after the elderly and farmers.

You are regarded as useful as long as you pay all the various taxes.

HMG & CO  are not your friend.

Stay free and safe xx

 

[Liverpool Lou]

3 hours ago, sambum said:

21 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Neither Labour, nor the Tories, have ever said that they would reinstate the increases so they have never quietly dropped it.  When were the Lib Dems ever in power?

 

Extract from Labour Manifesto 2019 - Page 76:-

" We will ensure that the pensions of UK citizens living overseas rise in line with pensions in Britain."

Thank you, I stand corrected, although they probably said that knowing that they did not have a cat in hell's chance of getting in and therefore it meant nothing.   Don't see any mention of it now that they are in power and are in a position to implement it!

Edited 2 hours ago by Liverpool Lou

[The Cyclist]

1 hour ago, NoshowJones said:

Yes Trans thats what the DWP say, but they can say anything they want. The state pension is not a benefit,

 

Nothing to do with the DWP. The State Pension became a ' Benefit ' when the Pensions Act was amended in 2014 or 2015.

[Liverpool Lou]

4 hours ago, sandyf said:

23 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Those would be the people who chose to live in a country in which UK state pension increases are not payable, a downside that is well-known and addressed openly on government websites and it has been that way for more than 70 years.   Perhaps those people should have gone to a different country where their increases would be available.

Expand  

You are wrong, it has not been that way for more than 70 years.

I don't believe that I am but, you go ahead, tell me when the policy of allowing increases to UK pensions in frozen countries such as Thailand was in force in the last 70+ years. 

[Expat68]

2 hours ago, Kinok Farang said:

Tell that to your friend,if you've got one.

I would, that's why I have friends for over 30 years, we each tell each other straight 

[Keeps]

1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Thank you, I stand corrected, although they probably said that knowing that they did not have a cat in hell's chance of getting in and therefore it meant nothing.   Don't see any mention of it now that they are in power and are in a position to implement it!

I really can't see Rachel Reeves loosening the purse strings to justifiably and rightly correct this anomaly (in my opinion) taking into account all the cost slashing she is undertaking in other areas.

 

I think expats abroad who are currently treated unfairly (again - my opinion) will be at the very bottom of her agenda, particularly when it would entail an outflow of money, not an inflow.

 

I appreciate that it involves reciprocal arrangements with other countries but if you have paid your dues I really can't see why you shouldn't be remunerated fairly, regardless of where you reside. You would still be taxed based on various thresholds and dependent on your alternative income.

 

Surely, expats are a lesser financial burden to the UK state or am I missing something?

 

Labour will be a one term party but I can't see any changes on the horizon regardless of which party is in charge next. I really hope I am wrong even though this doesn't affect me currently at my age. 

[Gottfrid]

On 11/15/2024 at 11:47 AM, transam said:

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......

Sure they do, but it´s such a small amount anyway, so I don´t really care. I think it´s something getting affected or smaller when living abroad, but as I say. I don´t give a 5h1t. I have already build my life, so it makes me totally independent of any government money.

[Gottfrid]

On 11/15/2024 at 12:53 PM, jesimps said:

I bet you were the teachers pet at school. I'm all in favour of sticking to the rules, but only if they're non-discriminatory. I refuse to condemn anyone trying to dodge this particular one. By the way, before you go banging on, I informed the HMRC that I resided in Thailand in 2009, the year I qualified for state pension and it has been frozen since then.

You are a solid and honest citizen of the world. I can agree with you that the rules are discriminatory, but they are still there. Sure, I could also dodge things I dislike, but I know better. Sooner or later, such activity will come back and bite you in your arse. Like what it happening right now. Think the ones who have been dodging fear that they have to pay back now. Is that how you should plan a nice life after retirement? I am just waiting for the general population on the planet to get a little bit smarter, think a little bit more before do. That´s all I ask for.

[Gottfrid]

23 hours ago, sidneybear said:

The government hates you. Why do you love it back?

What are you talking about. Love or hate the government???? I don´t need the government. I am totally independent of any government. 

[Gottfrid]

22 hours ago, Tiger1980 said:

 
Meanwhile tens of thousands of ILLEGAL economic migrants are able to access benefits to the tune of £41,000 per ILLEGAL each year courtesy of the British taxpayers many of whom are affected by this policy of discriminating against pensioners who reside in certain countries.

Like I have said many times now. I agree with that it´s wrong, discriminatory and unfair. However, knowing how it is, and moving to a country that are affected by such discrimination and also hide information is just plain stupid! Such things always comes back and bite hard.

[scottiejohn]

5 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

I am totally independent of any government. 

Utter BS!