Report Abandoned Abroad: British Pensioner in Thailand Slams 'Immoral' Frozen Pensions Policy

[sambum]

10 hours ago, Hellfire said:

It is much better to be a troll than old European pedophile fighting for his rights (as if he deserved anything else but to be beaten with stones).

 

What proof have you that he's a pedophile? I suspect none - you are just trolling, and any more insinuations like this and you will be on report. Now get back  under your stone and search for grubs.

[ignis]

17 minutes ago, simon43 said:

The pension will be pegged at the amount paid in the UK on your retirement date.  So I retire in 6 weeks from now and so my UK pension will start to be paid at the current UK rate.  But next year, when that amount increases in the UK (due to the triple lock), my pension will remain the same as before.  That won't make a huge difference in the short-term, but would be important some 10 or 20 years down the line.

+ exchange rates

when I came the 1st few years was between 74 and 76 THB to a £    

So monthly money down + Thai prices up some item more than doubled

[sambum]

3 hours ago, impulse said:

 

How does that benefit the British economy?  Or the British taxpayer?

 

 

Exactly my point - it doesn't, yet UK residents in these countries do not have their pensions frozen.

 

1 hour ago, KannikaP said:

So if someone was caught claiming full Pension increases while still living here, would the DWP not want some of it back.

 

Yes, 2 of my married friends had to go to a tribunal, but  "charges" were dropped when the "chairperson" found out that the husband had "served his country" in the RAF!!!

[pchansmorn]

22 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

I really feel sorry for Chris certainly one of the lowest, if not the lowest pension of advanced countries.  Probably below the poverty level in some.

For 2025 the highest U.S. Social Security is a whooping $5,000 usd a month and that includes COLA every year!

Another reason I guess the UK folks seem to have negative attitude toward their supposed allie the USA.  Jealous and hateful about the money?

 

No one is talking about the current mess with Social Security in the US. Has everyone set up their online ID as Musk ask us to do?  We are in our 80’s don’t use the computer and we have no clue how to set up this online ID. We are told that if you don’t have it set up soon you will lose your monthly income. We do have back up income but we rely mostly on our SS from the US. Every month I worry about are we going to get our automatic deposit. Patrick 

[sambum]

3 hours ago, Andycoops said:

Imagine receiving financial advice from him unless of course he was the janitor.

No mention of any private or company pension, why?

PPS

There  IS mention of a private pension if you read the OP in full!

[impulse]

28 minutes ago, sambum said:

3 hours ago, impulse said:

How does that benefit the British economy?  Or the British taxpayer?

Exactly my point - it doesn't, yet UK residents in these countries do not have their pensions frozen.

 

Oops.  I had missed your point.  My bad. 

 

As I understand it, that's due to treaties that probably benefit the UK in some manner.  There is no such treaty with LOS.  But there is with the Phils.

 

I'm wondering if any Brits will be moving their residence from Thailand to the Phils to kill 2 birds.  To get their full, fair adjusted pension and to dodge any recently announced Thai income taxes.  Seems to me that spending half their time outside of Thailand may be a good idea. 

 

Or is that a flawed plan?  In any case, I'm just spitballing.

 

[StandardIssue]

On 4/27/2025 at 7:29 PM, webfact said:

 

Picture of Christopher Lee courtesy of the iPaper

 

A British expat's sunny retirement in Thailand has turned stormy as his UK state pension remains frozen, leaving him counting every baht. Christopher Lee traded Wrexham for Thailand in 2010, drawn by the warm climate and relaxed lifestyle. But, his pension is stuck at its original rate, unlike UK counterparts who've seen increases of up to 80%.

 

At 70, the former banker relies on a weekly £137 (6,150 baht) after a SERPS top-up, opposed to the current UK basic pension of £176.45 (7,880 baht). In Thailand, one of many countries on the UK’s 'frozen pensions' list, Lee and others see their pensions diminish amidst rising costs.

 

 

Strictly speaking this man would not be allowed a long term visa in Thailand. His income is well below the yearly minimum. While his income is enough to survive month to month, what happens if some serious medical care is needed? Fly back to Ol'e Blighty? What about emergency care? Heart attack? Stroke etc? Die and get cremated in the local wat? IMHO someone with this small pension at 70 years is really taking a big chance living in country long term.

[jwest10]

On 4/28/2025 at 9:40 AM, worgeordie said:

Not the Christopher Lee ,I knew , We all would like more pension ,but the Government

won't give it ,they need the money for all the immigrants ,but Chris knew coming here

what the situation was , myself I get 90 quid a week ,because I retired early ,it is what

it is , no way is the Government going to help us ,it's like out of sight out of mind , 

 

regards Worgeordie

No, Worgeordie this is incorrect and I came over in 2008, and many others previously did not know anything about it and yes after the first year and yes the various groups and in my case my Late Uncle.
We all know about Lady Anne Puckridge, who recently turned 100 years old, lives in Canada and served in all 4 departments in WW11
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[sambum]

3 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

Oops.  I had missed your point.  My bad. 

 

As I understand it, that's due to treaties that probably benefit the UK in some manner.  There is no such treaty with LOS.  But there is with the Phils.

 

I'm wondering if any Brits will be moving their residence from Thailand to the Phils to kill 2 birds.  To get their full, fair adjusted pension and to dodge any recently announced Thai income taxes.  Seems to me that spending half their time outside of Thailand may be a good idea. 

 

Or is that a flawed plan?

 

 

 

I think quite a few people are thinking along the same lines, but if you have commitments in Thailand (wife, family etc) such a move mey not be practical.

Regarding the Thai income tax plan, I believe that has been "shelved" due to the complications it could cause. One possible scenario - if I was a businessman looking to invest money in Thailand, if I had to pay tax on it, I am afraid I would be taking my business elsewhere!

[jwest10]

46 minutes ago, ignis said:

+ exchange rates

when I came the 1st few years was between 74 and 76 THB to a £    

So monthly money down + Thai prices up some item more than doubled

Spot on and a real struggle with a Thai family to support!!!

[sambum]

1 minute ago, jwest10 said:

Spot on and a real struggle with a Thai family to support!!!

 

Agree 100%, so relocation to another country is not feasible.

[jwest10]

9 hours ago, Kinok Farang said:

Rhyming slang.

Yes we bailed them out remember!!!

[zzvv]

I wasn't aware of the freeze until about 16 months in Thailand, been here 3 years,  when DWP asked for the return of £3000 . It is there on the Internet, took me a while to find it ....

Its very unfair. Luckily I have small savings which I am just starting use. Im 70 and I have calculated, with inflation that I have to return to the UK when I am 88 .....

 

Theres no doubt it comes as a bit of a shock that there is no yearly rise .

[jwest10]

18 hours ago, simon43 said:

Nope, I currently have 8,000 baht + 87,000 baht each month to live on (I teach science online). But I find that I easily live an enjoyable and healthy life with just that 8k.  How much does it cost to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh chicken etc?  Next to nothing.  I rarely buy beer, don't smoke or waste money on women.  Zero stress that way 🙂

Should not have mentioned the teaching? wp?

[jwest10]

2 minutes ago, zzvv said:

I wasn't aware of the freeze until about 16 months in Thailand, been here 3 years,  when DWP asked for the return of £3000 . It is there on the Internet, took me a while to find it ....

Its very unfair. Luckily I have small savings which I am just starting use. Im 70 and I have calculated, with inflation that I have to return to the UK when I am 88 .....

 

Theres no doubt it comes as a bit of a shock that there is no yearly rise .

Yes, so many simply did not know and wow living to 88 that would be remarkable and yes been here 17 years and simply did not know until seeing various sites and my Late Uncle who retired before me and so many did not know. BARBARIC.

[kiwikeith]

21 hours ago, chrisbangkok said:

 

So you've fallen for the immigrant stuff too then . Amazes me how easily folk are brainwashed by misleading articles from the biased media and a couple of disruptive s***stirrers in a new party over in the uk .

Sad state of affairs , " must be true as the mail and s*n said so " ... Free press eh .

 

Maybe pensioners overseas should petition the govt, because they have got plenty for Zelensky to blow up in smoke. And its your money!!!

[zzvv]

3 minutes ago, jwest10 said:

Should not have mentioned the teaching? wp?

....so why didn't you just delete the teaching thing ?!

[Patong2021]

4 hours ago, wavodavo said:

 

Don't forget that this pensioner has not cost the NHS one pound in all the years he has lived in Thailand . That must have saved the Government heaps.

 

Fair point. And most  pensioners do not cost the NHS much as well. It is when people get ill that the misery starts.    If you read the forum on the subject of health insurance, one of the  common comments is that in the event of  serious illness, the person would fly back to the UK. So, yes, they may not be costing anything, until they need medical care. Then it is back to the UK where non urgent care is still free and access to the free urgent healthcare system is  available once the surcharge is paid, or worse, hospital charges are paid.   The work around is  UK citizens who return to the UK on a settled basis will be considered as ordinarily resident and will be eligible for free NHS care immediately. But, yes, I do understand your point.

[Patong2021]

44 minutes ago, kiwikeith said:

Maybe pensioners overseas should petition the govt, because they have got plenty for Zelensky to blow up in smoke. And its your money!!!

 The UK money is being spent to degrade the Russian military and to  contain the expansionist Russians. Ukrainians are dying so that  British citizens do not have to.

[BritManToo]

54 minutes ago, zzvv said:

I wasn't aware of the freeze until about 16 months in Thailand, been here 3 years,  when DWP asked for the return of £3000 . It is there on the Internet, took me a while to find it ....

Its very unfair. Luckily I have small savings which I am just starting use. Im 70 and I have calculated, with inflation that I have to return to the UK when I am 88 .....

 

Theres no doubt it comes as a bit of a shock that there is no yearly rise .

How did they discover your 16 months in Thailand.

And did you agree to pay them back, you can say no, they can't take!

[baansgr]

23 hours ago, frank83628 said:

Sorry but if after 60yrs of working you only have the state pension to survive on you werent very good with your money.

Many people lost their pensions along with many other determining factors. 

[Magictoad]

On 4/28/2025 at 9:52 AM, Bannoi said:

If they can take the winter fuel allowance away from UK pensioners then there is no way they are going to give an increase to a pensioner living in Thailand.

 

There is a way around it though move back to UK get the increase then move back to Thailand or if you move to Philippines you would get the increase every year.

 

I agree it's not fair but its not going to change, a pensioner living in Thailand is very low down on the list of priorities. (They don't vote}

They have plenty of spare money to spend on illegal immigrants. That could be used.

[Magictoad]

1 hour ago, impulse said:

 

Oops.  I had missed your point.  My bad. 

 

As I understand it, that's due to treaties that probably benefit the UK in some manner.  There is no such treaty with LOS.  But there is with the Phils.

 

I'm wondering if any Brits will be moving their residence from Thailand to the Phils to kill 2 birds.  To get their full, fair adjusted pension and to dodge any recently announced Thai income taxes.  Seems to me that spending half their time outside of Thailand may be a good idea. 

 

Or is that a flawed plan?  In any case, I'm just spitballing.

 

Quite a few have moved to the Philippines,  (on paper) A clerk from the DWP probably wouldn't know the difference. 

[Blueman1]

11 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

How did they discover your 16 months in Thailand.

And did you agree to pay them back, you can say no, they can't take!

And did you agree to pay them back, you can say no, they can't take!....But....They CAN & WILL Take it out of any future Pension Payments they make to Him.......

[baansgr]

1 hour ago, jwest10 said:

Spot on and a real struggle with a Thai family to support!!!

But 75 was a temporary measure, the rest of history has been lower than 50

[Blueman1]

2 minutes ago, Magictoad said:

Quite a few have moved to the Philippines,  (on paper) A clerk from the DWP probably wouldn't know the difference. 

 A clerk from the DWP probably wouldn't know the difference......You Want a Bet on That ??

[BritManToo]

3 minutes ago, Blueman1 said:

And did you agree to pay them back, you can say no, they can't take!....But....They CAN & WILL Take it out of any future Pension Payments they make to Him.......

No they can't, pension payments can't be reduced or stopped to recover past overpayments, you have to agree.

That's the meaning of the non-sanctionable clause for the state OAP.

 

But they could recover it from your housing benefit, winter fuel payment, or your Xmas payment.

[Upnotover]

1 hour ago, StandardIssue said:

 

Strictly speaking this man would not be allowed a long term visa in Thailand. His income is well below the yearly minimum. While his income is enough to survive month to month, what happens if some serious medical care is needed? Fly back to Ol'e Blighty? What about emergency care? Heart attack? Stroke etc? Die and get cremated in the local wat? IMHO someone with this small pension at 70 years is really taking a big chance living in country long term.

We don't know what his income is, only his state pension which he's only had for 5 years. He's been here 15, not surviving on fresh air (he has a private pension)

[Blueman1]

8 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

No they can't, pension payments can't be reduced or stopped to recover past overpayments, you have to agree.

That's the meaning of the non-sanctionable clause for the state OAP.

No they can't, pension payments can't be reduced or stopped to recover past overpayments.....

But  Yes They CAN, It actually happened to an EX Friend of Mine who got Overpaid,But Did get it ALL Taken back off him FACT !!

[BritManToo]

1 minute ago, Blueman1 said:

No they can't, pension payments can't be reduced or stopped to recover past overpayments.....

But They CAN, It actually happened to an EX Friend of Mine who got Overpaid,But Did get it ALL Taken back off him FACT !!

Don't care, doesn't affect me, I still live full-time in the UK.

I don't tell my government where I am or what I'm doing, they don't need to know.

 

And before you start the moral high ground rant.

I've never felt the need to be any more truthful/moral than the elected members of my government.