Should I return to the UK - difficult decision!

[KannikaP]

22 hours ago, simon43 said:

I have 29 years of contributions which is about 880 pounds a week

Eh?

[newbee2022]

On 6/26/2025 at 4:17 PM, simon43 said:

I've lived the last 23 or so years full-time in Thailand, Laos and Myanmar (mostly in Myanmar).  I'm single, (having divorced 3 times over the years!).  My ex-wife and kids in the UK disowned me yonks ago.  My 2 Thai ex-wives keep in touch, but of course their lives have moved on. I have an elder brother in the UK who does keep in touch.

 

I'm currently just retired at 66 years old, relaxing by the sunny beach in south Thailand, and enjoying a low cost-of-living lifestyle.  Why on Earth would I want to return to the UK?

 

The problem is my health.  As I have mentioned in posts in the health forum, I have an incurable (but manageable) lung condition.  Most days are great, some days are <deleted>e....

 

I know that as I grow older, my illness will certainly not improve.  It may stay the same or it may deteriorate.  I am very concerned about my welfare if I stay in Thailand.

 

I do have private medical insurance.  But that really is intended to cover hospital treatment for serious accidents or diseases such as cancer etc.  It's not intended to pay for long-term medical care.  Will it even pay out if I claim?  Who knows!

 

If I return to the UK, then I will receive my index-linked state pension.  I will also be eligible for state assistance to pay my rent, council tax etc, such that so long as the accommodation monthly rent is not more than 600 or 700 pounds, then I'm doing fine with money for food, heating etc.

 

Some might say that the NHS is in a mess, and that I will get no help from them, but I disagree.  I used the NHS and GP (doctor) services and was treated quickly and politely.  I think it was a novelty for them to treat a professional white male lol!

 

I previously lived in rural areas of the UK and would hope to do the same.  Minehead (Somerset) is somewhere that would be practical for me (by the sea air, local shops, walking etc).  I used to live in nearby Dunster (home to the famous castle which is also known as 'Luttrell Castle').  My ancestors owned it until death duties stuffed that in the 1950's...  Nowadays, a modest studio flat in Minehead would be OK, and a realistic solution.

 

I still have my online teaching income, and I can continue that in the UK (teaching my Chinese students in their timezone is fine).  But at some stage I will no doubt have to end that work and rely on my state pension, but with the housing benefit also (the online calculator informs me that my basic state pension will be about doubled by the benefits that I can legally claim).

 

What to do, and what to consider?

That's a personal decision.

Make a list and write down the PROs and the CONs and then decide. Don't forget....your lung issues might increase in UK/weather.

[Upnotover]

11 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Eh?

Sound great, where do I sign up for that?

[Artificerman]

Just an update for anyone interested, (I paid full NI contributions for 49yrs), my water bills have just increased by 19% (Anglian) and some other areas are much higher. prices are rising quickly and taxation is getting heavier. Currently the UK is not a very happy place for old school residents for well published reasons, Personally I am selling up and moving to Korat area as soon as the house is sold, on the market now. Opened my bank account and put in required ฿400,000 as required (marriage Visa to be applied for all paperwork already completed on last visit 2 months ago).

Lived through current regime twice, enough.

 

The basic State Pension: How much you get - GOV.UK

 

Good luck, NB. UK is getting much milder weather wise over last couple of years.

 

 

[simon43]

3 hours ago, zyphodb said:

 

So, if you're a Luttrell, how come you were raised in a S*%#8hole like Leicester then? I thought the family home is at East Quantoxhead?

I'm from Watchet BTW...

Lol, read my previous comment!  At some stage early this century there were death duties to be paid and which my ancestors couldn't afford.  Therefore the castle was given to the taxman in lieu of death duties and then handed over to the National Trust.

 

If you ever visit the castle, have a look at some of the paintings of my ancestors - they look just like me 🙂  (well maybe not so blue!!)

 

Although I was born and bred in Leicester, when an adult I lived at Lower Marsh, just by the Dunster Steam Railway station.