UK Pensioners in Thailand Face New Scrutiny Over Pension Fraud

[Liverpool Lou]

2 hours ago, transam said:

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.......... 

Me too, but I think that we know, deep down, that it will never happen, there's not enough pressure, nor incentive for that.  

[Liverpool Lou]

2 hours ago, animalmagic said:

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.

It is not a fraud, the government makes it perfectly clear to those who chose to live overseas and accept the condition.

[Liverpool Lou]

1 hour ago, Gcart said:

When we die can matter more. Living past 75 can trigger taxes on any leftover pension, essentially creating a tax on living 'too long

What?

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

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.

It's how you live that's important.

[Liverpool Lou]

1 hour ago, transam said:

Blimey, there's a lot of folk reading this thread, I wonder why.................................🤭

They're having a good laugh at those who were/are now shltting themselves

[hardblogger]

4 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Me too, but I think that we know, deep down, that it will never happen, there's not enough pressure, nor incentive for that.  

 

Not a chance I am afraid. A couple of Tory MPs  tried not so long ago, and the country which has tried the most is Canada, better for them if the expats have more money. But it failed to get anywhere at last attempt, No chance at all now with this Gov, so yes forget it. 

[renaissanc]

It is very unfair for British pensioners. But what will British pensioners who have a frozen pension do if there is a world war, which is quite possible this decade, because it would cause hyperinflation? 221 pounds x 52 weeks = 508,156 Baht. In hyperinflation, this will drop massively. They will have to use more and more of their savings each year to meet Immigration's requirement of 800,000 Baht. If they can't, they'll have to retire in the UK, which will be very tough.

[Card]

5 hours ago, John Drake said:

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.

Only a few richer pensioners will have it removed.

[BritManToo]

2 hours ago, transam said:

Blimey, there's a lot of folk reading this thread, I wonder why.................................🤭

I'm reading it because I'm wondering why there's a news item in November on a bill that was discontinued in April.

 

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

 

[hardblogger]

Just now, renaissanc said:

It is very unfair for British pensioners. But what will British pensioners who have a frozen pension do if there is a world war, which is quite possible this decade, because it would cause hyperinflation? 221 pounds x 52 weeks = 508,156 Baht. In hyperinflation, this will drop massively. They will have to use more and more of their savings each year to meet Immigration's requirement of 800,000 Baht. If they can't, they'll have to retire in the UK, which will be very tough.

We wouldn't get paid, but neither would anyone. BOOOOM!     Same for every pensioner.   Life wouldn't be worth living anyway. 
Relax. 

[BruceWayne]

21 minutes ago, robin of the hood said:

I had worked setting myself up with a 2 good pensions that are index linked and are located offshore so no tax to the UK government ( this was planned why should I pay tax on money I earned and set aside for my retirement).

 

 

Were they UK pensions that you moved offshore?

And where did you move them to - Jersey?

 

 

[Thingamabob]

5 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

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.

My UK State pension has been frozen since I retired to Thailand in 1993. I have a attended meetings in the house of commons at which the unfairness of the freeze has been discussed. We are always met with kind words but nothing ever changes. I fear this will be the position into the foreseeable future given that successive UK  governments are desperate for money.

 

[Lopburikid]

2 hours ago, transam said:

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.......... 

Talking of fraud, why isn't the thai government looking into hospitals double billing foreigners, even when they have fully paid up health insurance? Plus Thai insurance companies who take the money, but then refuse to pay out because they are unable to  access home countries medical records dating back to your childhood? I am happy to abide by the law if the law abies me.

[Lopburikid]

2 hours ago, transam said:

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.......... 

Talking of fraud, why isn't the thai government looking into hospitals double billing foreigners, even when they have fully paid up health insurance? Plus Thai insurance companies who take the money, but then refuse to pay out because they are unable to  access home countries medical records dating back to your childhood? I am happy to abide by the law if the law abies me.

[Hugh Jarse]

2 hours ago, RayD said:

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

The philippines

[BruceWayne]

18 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

There are no links from my UK bank account to any foreign activity.

I don't use Brit debit or credit cards outside the UK either. 

The government can look all they like, there's nothing for them to find.

 

You should be fine.

Longer term they'll probably look to crack down.

 

I believe that letting boat people in is for this reason and not only to suppress UK wages.

 

Blair was pushing for digital IDs 20 years ago - they're a pre cursor to CBDCs and HIGH electronic surveillance.  No one wants them though

so

let say a million undocumenteds in - let them rape a few kids and other stuff and wait for the public outcry.

Then have the public (nudged by the media) to DEMAND digital IDs.

I think that's their game plan but will take years to get right (esp considering most gov workers are useless spastics and most contractors happily rip the gov off).

[Baht Simpson]

1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

They'll only be able to do that if you are suspected of fraud, as the OP clearly stated, so you'll have nothing to worry about; if you do have that to worry about, then tough titty, you know who to blame!

I don't. Some of us like keep our financial affairs in order. But I admire your confidence that there will be no overreach Lou. 

[Baht Simpson]

18 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

My UK State pension has been frozen since I retired to Thailand in 1993. I have a attended meetings in the house of commons at which the unfairness of the freeze has been discussed. We are always met with kind words but nothing ever changes. I fear this will be the position into the foreseeable future given that successive UK  governments are desperate for money.

 

The current Chancellor described the freeze as unfair in the commons a few years ago, but yet again it's been swept under the carpet. 

[PETERTHEEATER]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

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

As written, the above statement implies that responsibility rests with the banks to check their customers accounts and report 'suspicious'

transactions. It is my understanding from British press reports that the banks have to give DWP access to accounts and they will determine any fraud.

[transam]

19 minutes ago, Lopburikid said:

Talking of fraud, why isn't the thai government looking into hospitals double billing foreigners, even when they have fully paid up health insurance? Plus Thai insurance companies who take the money, but then refuse to pay out because they are unable to  access home countries medical records dating back to your childhood? I am happy to abide by the law if the law abies me.

I wouldn't know, I haven't been charged double........😋

[Phulublub]

48 minutes ago, hardblogger said:

Unfortunately this is incorrect, it would revert back to your old Thailand rate.........unless you don't tell them and commit fraud. LOL 

Do you have an authoritative source for that?  On the HMRC website it states:

 

Quote

 

You will not get yearly increases if you live outside these countries.

Your pension will go up to the current rate if you return to live in the UK.

 

 

Given Phillipines (among others) also get the annual increases, your pension would go up if living there as well.. Nowhere have I found that if you subsequently move again, to a country that does not attract increases, your pension would revert back to a previous low level.

 

PH

[scottiejohn]

46 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

The government can look all they like, there's nothing for them to find.

That's what you think!

[transam]

1 minute ago, Phulublub said:

Do you have an authoritative source for that?  On the HMRC website it states:

 

 

Given Phillipines (among others) also get the annual increases, your pension would go up if living there as well.. Nowhere have I found that if you subsequently move again, to a country that does not attract increases, your pension would revert back to a previous low level.

 

PH

UK pension is classed as a benefit, so it has strings attached, one of them is notifying of change of address, you MUST report it to them. If you don't, and they find out.........

 

Did you know that if you live in the UK you are meant to tell them if you are in hospital there, I assume it may/could affect the allowance..........

[digger70]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

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

Are you Sure ?  

 

AI Overview

Learn more…Opens in new tab

Yes, Australian age pensioners living overseas, including in Thailand, receive the same pension increases as those in Australia: 

[Liverpool Lou]

1 hour ago, bradiston said:

OAP is paid every 28 days. So a different day of the month every month. At least, that's my experience.

Huh?   28 days is four weeks, so it must be paid on the same day of the week, if it wasn't, the period wouldn't always be 28 days!   Mine has hit my bank here every fourth Wednesday for eight years with the odd exception of a day's delay due to public holidays but it always reverts back to a Wednesday after a late payment.

[connda]

Pensioners living aboard are less of an economic burden on the UK than those living in the UK who need additional assistance to simply heat their homes and pay the rent. 

[proton]

2 hours ago, transam said:

A worried member..............🤣

 

Hardly, been collecting frozen pension since 2015

[baansgr]

4 hours ago, quake said:

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

and the vocal ones on Asean Now. 

Get' Em 

 

Probably, there is 1 or 2 that have already contradicted themselves..👍

[scottiejohn]

2 minutes ago, connda said:

Pensioners living aboard are less of an economic burden on the UK than those living in the UK who need additional assistance to simply heat their homes and pay the rent. 

And use the NHS etc!

[Liverpool Lou]

1 hour ago, PaDavid said:

urely, if someone leaves UK and doesn’t return for 6 months, they've either moved abroad or are dead. Why put the onus on banks to do the government’s job?

They're not, they're only asking for the banks' cooperation in fraud cases, they are not asking banks (or weren't, some are saying that the law was not enacted) to advise details of the bank account otherwise.