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

[Photoguy21]

On 4/30/2025 at 4:11 PM, Liverpool Lou said:

Reciprocal agreements, that's all you need to know.

The UK and Thailand have reciprocal agreements regarding such issues, just ask HMRC and they will confirm.

[NoshowJones]

On 4/29/2025 at 11:37 AM, 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.......

They cannot touch your state, I repeat, STATE pension. It's there on the DWP website.

[Blueman1]

3 hours ago, NoshowJones said:

They cannot touch your state, I repeat, STATE pension. It's there on the DWP website.

Well WHY Have THEY Reduced Mine,Clever Ar*e ??

[sidneybear]

On 4/28/2025 at 12:52 PM, 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}

True. The British government doesn't like pensioners, and has even cut energy subsidies from pensioners who live in the UK.

 

Expatriates are held in even lower regard by the broke British state. Nothing will change.

[sidneybear]

On 5/1/2025 at 9:29 AM, henryford1958 said:

The UK is totally bankrupt so i think it's more likely that ALL state pensions will be means tested soon and any one with other income will get NOTHING.

True. They might also do what Australia does: You can only apply for the state pension if you've been physically present in the country for at least two years preceding your application (meaning people who leave prior to retirement age never get a pension), AND; if you move overseas, the pension is prorated by the number of years you've lived there during your working life divided by 35 years. At least the Australian pension is indexed though. 

[billd766]

2 hours ago, sidneybear said:

True. They might also do what Australia does: You can only apply for the state pension if you've been physically present in the country for at least two years preceding your application (meaning people who leave prior to retirement age never get a pension), AND; if you move overseas, the pension is prorated by the number of years you've lived there during your working life divided by 35 years. At least the Australian pension is indexed though. 

And what happens to ALL the NIC contributions that you and your employers were forced to pay in over the year?

[Hornell]

I retired in 2010 having lived here since 1997.  Having paid NI contributions all my working life (as a government servant) I was well aware that retiring here would mean my State Pension would be frozen.  It has stayed the same 102 quid a week since I received it.  But the Baht / pound exchange rate has varied from some 75 Baht/pound to well under 40 over this period, so my 102 quid has been steadily getting less and less over the years.  Whilst I knew that my pension was frozen, I didn't know about the fall in the rate of exchange.  OK, tough luck, and it's as well I don't have to rely on my State Pension in order to live.  BUT I agree with those who say this freezing of pensions  simply isn't right, but I also agree that the UK will do naff all about rectifying it!

[sidneybear]

7 hours ago, billd766 said:

And what happens to ALL the NIC contributions that you and your employers were forced to pay in over the year?

That goes to pay for a whole load of things that won't benefit overseas retirees, like "our NHS".

[Sir Dude]

Doesn't pass the smell test on this guys... a competent former banker should have made much better provisions for his future and got a bunch of money and stocks, bonds, and treasury options, etc. What? He's whinging about the UK national pension? Come on, sounds like BS.