3 hours ago, youreavinalaff said:

Who told you that? 

 

Who ever it was, was winding you up.

You are having a laugh aren't you........

 

https://www.gov.uk/change-address-driving-licence?step-by-step-nav=c1f13d41-ed7f-44a3-be11-fd95525ddf40

 

https://www.keithmichaels.co.uk/news/renew-your-uk-driving-licence-as-an-expat/

 

https://einsure.uk/how-to-renew-your-driving-licence-as-an-expat/

 

It has been posted many time in the past on here that in theory, if non-uk resident, you are supposed to give up your UK licence - even if nobody bothers......

 

On 12/18/2025 at 8:16 AM, ukrules said:

 

Based on what I've heard in the US they have State issued ID cards which are accepted and required by everyone.
 

Those are for 'illegals' or people who can't get a driving license. Also they aren't 'required' as alternate id like birth-certificate etc is also used by people not wanting them. Contrast this to nanny-state monster uk where it's absolute rules typically.

36 minutes ago, topt said:

You are having a laugh aren't you........

 

https://www.gov.uk/change-address-driving-licence?step-by-step-nav=c1f13d41-ed7f-44a3-be11-fd95525ddf40

 

https://www.keithmichaels.co.uk/news/renew-your-uk-driving-licence-as-an-expat/

 

https://einsure.uk/how-to-renew-your-driving-licence-as-an-expat/

 

It has been posted many time in the past on here that in theory, if non-uk resident, you are supposed to give up your UK licence - even if nobody bothers......

 

If you still have an address you can use in UK, you can use that. 

 

I guess you didn't read the whole of the comment I quoted.

On 9/26/2025 at 2:41 PM, youreavinalaff said:

Something expats know about prior to moving to Thailand. It's a choice. I agree, it's unfair, but there is a choice.

I never knew about it until I moved to Thailand. I would bet that the vast majority of the UK population do not know about it.

On 9/26/2025 at 4:29 PM, Jenkins9039 said:

FYI those of you living in Thailand, but claiming to be in the UK/Other need to understand something, Thailand joined CRS, that means all your financial(s) are either sent as standard to the UK or are available (in-depth) on demand, so if anyone here is cheating the pension system/other you will end up being criminally charged at some point, this isn't human driven its AI driven... 

So far no one has ever been charged, even if state pensioners are found out they cannot be made to pay anything back. It is as clear as day in the DWP website.

17 hours ago, youreavinalaff said:

If you still have an address you can use in UK, you can use that. 

 

I guess you didn't read the whole of the comment I quoted.

Of course, plus, I was under the impression that a driving licence was just proof you passed a driving test...☺️

40 minutes ago, NoshowJones said:

So far no one has ever been charged, even if state pensioners are found out they cannot be made to pay anything back. It is as clear as day in the DWP website.

So is the information in this post incorrect? 

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1374214-uk-digital-id-cards-how-would-it-affect-expats-in-thailand/page/3/#findComment-20121153

 

 

51 minutes ago, NoshowJones said:

I never knew about it until I moved to Thailand. I would bet that the vast majority of the UK population do not know about it.

Surely, that's something you'd check when preparing for a move. I agree, probably a lot of the YK population don't know sbout it but that's more than likely because they don't plan to move abroad.

23 minutes ago, GroveHillWanderer said:

So is the information in this post incorrect?

 

For the doubters, here's another one AI dug up.  In this one the person supplying the false address was also charged.

 

On 9/30/2025 at 4:25 AM, scubascuba3 said:

I checked with Deepseek and yes there have been cases

 

 

There have been plenty of reports from 2017 that no one has ever been prosecuted for what was mentioned. That does not look like a real report to me.

UK gov can now check benefit claimants' bank accounts including those in receipt of the state pension

 

 

3 hours ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

UK gov can now check benefit claimants' bank accounts including those in receipt of the state pension

 

 

This has been posted up before and is, IMO currently only an issue if you are claiming other benefits that for whatever reason you are not entitled to.

It is not specific to those of you just claiming a state pension with HMRC knowing you are already living abroad. 

 

If you listen to what he says there should be no reason for them to request a look if that is all you are receiving.

1 hour ago, topt said:

It is not specific to those of you just claiming a state pension with HMRC knowing you are already living abroad. 

 

If you listen to what he says there should be no reason for them to request a look if that is all you are receiving.

 

It's relevant to those living abroad without telling HMRC. The update to the act classes the UK state pension as a benefit.

 

 

On 9/26/2025 at 2:38 PM, Jenkins9039 said:

Will affect old farts with a pension

Will not affect young studs that are not intending to return and not entitled to a pension 
 

And probably affect morons like your good self.

On 9/26/2025 at 2:59 PM, Jenkins9039 said:

I intend to buy a new citizenship.

How can you do that?

On 9/26/2025 at 6:22 PM, Gottfrid said:

No, not sad at all. I have no problem with it, as I know how to walk beside it anyway. There is no country that knows my total income, and it never will be. So, just walk around scared over what´s coming, instead of preparing yourself for all eventualities. You UK guys are very good at complaining about everything you see as wrong, but you can´t do anything to help yourselves. That´s the sad part.

Who can't?

On 12/21/2025 at 6:24 PM, GanDoonToonPet said:

UK gov can now check benefit claimants' bank accounts including those in receipt of the state pension

 

 

Just because some rich capitalist A$$hole in a tie and suit decides the UK OAP must now be called a benefit it does not make it so. The OAP is not a benefit but an entitlement which was paid for. Any fairminded person can see that.

Not British/UK so I do not understand what this is all about. Is the pension you get from the British Govt like the US Social Security benefit, ie you work for the country x number of years, get a pension based on that no matter where you live except the Bristish do include certain countries in the annual increase of that pension.. Do you still have to file taxes with the British govt each year? Do you have a local bank account and meet any requirements for the CSR reporting each year? Just wondering as I see this as a subject line quite often with many seeming to complain though I never read the whole group every day. In the US, those having more than 10 quarters of work in the US then can begin receiving benefits when they reach retirement age and can get the cost of living no matter where they retire to but no matter where they retire to they still must file an income tax form every year and if their foreign account has X number of dollars during that year, there is additional reporting necessary.

3 minutes ago, Presnock said:

Is the pension you get from the British Govt like the US Social Security benefit, ie you work for the country x number of years, get a pension based on that no matter where you live except the Bristish do include certain countries in the annual increase of that pension.

Pretty much spot on.

3 minutes ago, Presnock said:

Do you still have to file taxes with the British govt each year?

Most people don't file taxes as it's automated through employers' payment systems or private pension providers payrolls. Only those with "unusual" income have to file a tax return. The Government or State Pension is always paid tax free so if it exceeds the personal allowance the tax will be clawed back from any other income, or a bill received at the end of the year.

5 minutes ago, Presnock said:

In the US, those having more than 10 quarters of work in the US then can begin receiving benefits when they reach retirement age . . . .

Minimum 10 years of National Insurance contributions or credits to get anything.

16 minutes ago, Presnock said:

Not British/UK so I do not understand what this is all about. Is the pension you get from the British Govt like the US Social Security benefit, ie you work for the country x number of years, get a pension based on that no matter where you live except the Bristish do include certain countries in the annual increase of that pension.. Do you still have to file taxes with the British govt each year? Do you have a local bank account and meet any requirements for the CSR reporting each year? Just wondering as I see this as a subject line quite often with many seeming to complain though I never read the whole group every day. In the US, those having more than 10 quarters of work in the US then can begin receiving benefits when they reach retirement age and can get the cost of living no matter where they retire to but no matter where they retire to they still must file an income tax form every year and if their foreign account has X number of dollars during that year, there is additional reporting necessary.

Uk state pension is a purchased pension earned from a 25% deduction every year from your wages throughout your entire working life.

It's taxed in the UK direct by HMRC

5 minutes ago, Presnock said:

Not British/UK so I do not understand what this is all about. Is the pension you get from the British Govt like the US Social Security benefit, ie you work for the country x number of years, get a pension based on that no matter where you live except the Bristish do include certain countries in the annual increase of that pension.. Do you still have to file taxes with the British govt each year? Do you have a local bank account and meet any requirements for the CSR reporting each year? Just wondering as I see this as a subject line quite often with many seeming to complain though I never read the whole group every day. In the US, those having more than 10 quarters of work in the US then can begin receiving benefits when they reach retirement age and can get the cost of living no matter where they retire to but no matter where they retire to they still must file an income tax form every year and if their foreign account has X number of dollars during that year, there is additional reporting necessary.

In the UK you pay national insurance through your working life to get a state pension, a minium of 35 years for the full amount, a % for less years, it is classed as a benefit.

No UK government or the European Court has changed the benefit thingy..☹️

On top of that, the 'benefit' is locked if you move to a country that does NOT have a reciprocal agreement with the UK, so, benefit is locked if residing in Thailand, though it is not if we reside in the USA....🤗

28 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Uk state pension is a purchased pension earned from a 25% deduction every year from your wages throughout your entire working life.

It's taxed in the UK direct by HMRC

It's based on NI payments. That's not 25%.

24 minutes ago, youreavinalaff said:

It's based on NI payments. That's not 25%.

10% employee

15% employer

You think employers pay their 15% from their profits or lower wages?

3 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

10% employee

15% employer

You think employers pay their 15% from their profits or lower wages?

Are we interested in what employers pay, I don't think so......🤗

12 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

10% employee

15% employer

You think employers pay their 15% from their profits or lower wages?

I was self-employed for most of my working life, no 15% from another for me, I paid a basic couple of quid a week for years, anyhooo, I got a full pension on retirement..🤗

11 minutes ago, transam said:

I paid a basic couple of quid a week for years, anyhooo, I got a full pension on retirement

It wasn't a couple of quid a week and you're alright jack so sod anyone else doesn't really sit well for those who are now being shafted by the government changing the retirement age,not giving updates and so on and so forth till they completely do away with the 'pension' paid for (extorted from) by hard working UK citizens.

1 minute ago, johng said:

It wasn't a couple of quid a week and you're alright jack so sod anyone else doesn't really sit well for those who are now being shafted by the government changing the retirement age,not giving updates and so on and so forth till they completely do away with the 'pension' paid for (extorted from) by hard working UK citizens.

Not a couple of quid a week, oh yes it was........ 🤗

"Extorted from", hmmmm, nothing is free, it has to be paid for, unless you are on the dole...🤫

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

10% employee

15% employer

You think employers pay their 15% from their profits or lower wages?

Funny. By trying to wriggle out of your error, you've made another one. 🤣🤣

Check the rates of NI before you post, eould be my advice.

36 minutes ago, youreavinalaff said:

Funny. By trying to wriggle out of your error, you've made another one. 🤣🤣

Check the rates of NI before you post, eould be my advice.

They change it so often I can never keep up.

1 hour ago, johng said:

It wasn't a couple of quid a week and you're alright jack so sod anyone else doesn't really sit well for those who are now being shafted by the government changing the retirement age,not giving updates and so on and so forth till they completely do away with the 'pension' paid for (extorted from) by hard working UK citizens.

There isn't a retirement age. Anyone can retire whenever they want. Forward planning is all that's needed.

There have been regular updates.