UK Keeps Frozen Pension Rule for British Retirees in Thailand

The UK government has confirmed that British retirees living in Thailand will continue to miss out on annual state pension increases. Pensions Minister Torsten Bell told MPs that uprating only applies in countries where the UK has a legal obligation, usually through reciprocal agreements. Thailand is among the countries without such an agreement, meaning state pensions remain fixed at the rate first received after leaving the UK. Campaigners say the policy affects hundreds of thousands of retirees worldwide and leaves some pensioners receiving far less than those living in the UK. Despite ongoing calls for reform, the government has indicated that no major policy change is currently planned.

What a surprise ☠️

Next....hardly news....move on

1 hour ago, Video News said:

UK Keeps Frozen Pension Rule for British Retirees in Thailand

The UK government has confirmed that British retirees living in Thailand will continue to miss out on annual state pension increases. Pensions Minister Torsten Bell told MPs that uprating only applies in countries where the UK has a legal obligation, usually through reciprocal agreements. Thailand is among the countries without such an agreement, meaning state pensions remain fixed at the rate first received after leaving the UK. Campaigners say the policy affects hundreds of thousands of retirees worldwide and leaves some pensioners receiving far less than those living in the UK. Despite ongoing calls for reform, the government has indicated that no major policy change is currently planned.

We are viewed as nothing more than traitors to the state.

That nasty sod Cameron even threatened to take away are 12,570 tax free allowance back in his day.

Maybe Rachael Thieves, will try it on, in the coming years.

Nothing would surprise me now about the uk government.

Edited June 8Jun 8 by rocketboy2

Yes, this is frankly barbaric, and this deliberate policy has been going on for over 70 years, and the problem is so many of us were completely unaware of this and even when stating where one would be living, it does not just refer to those in Thailand, but to many ex-pats in many other countries.
It was never pointed out at any time.
I saw on one of the sites that letter shared recently from the ironically DWP and the same old rhetoric, and frankly talking a load of nonsense and lying.
I am one of a few who have been campaigning for 2 DECADES NOW and the DWP have consistently been stating no reciprocal agreements are needed, and strange all of a sudden seem to be covering their lies a letter stating exactly the opposite.
They try to cover themselves in that the policy for the triple lock is that those British Citizens who live in the UK spend their money there and there are 1.2 million ex-pats residing abroad, but 600K get all the increases each year and there is R/As in existence and not so sure about this.
The remaining 560K plus in 151 countries around the world have often paid more NI contributions and are penalised, because of this false reason and we chose to live with our loved ones, and everyone has paid in for a full pension and often paid 10 or 15 more years NI contributions.
How is that fair?

For instance, to give just 2 or 3 examples here, and you can see it is a postal lottery or the wrong country chosen.
Right those British-born and bred ex-pats if in the USA get the yearly increases, but Canada just a few KMs away, get a frozen state pension and for many decades!!!
2/ The Philippines get increases, but countries close by Indonesia and Thailand are frozen.
3. Also in the Caribbean, some countries again get the increases, while neighbouring ones are frozen.
HOW ON EARTH IS THIS FAIR?

Also, there is local domestic Act in the UK whereby this barbaric and totally discriminatory could be revoked or amendments made, but no they absolutely despise us and basicallt want us dead, their own British-born and bred Citizens.
Many served in WW11 and were so proud and again their reward thanks and " Here is your Frozen State Pension.
There are many others like this and I apologise if not named you but there are many who have passed away. and fighting this injustice but going to name 3 here who have been outstanding, and again apologies to others not named.
1. Eric Gaskell
2. Bob Crutchlow
3. Lady Anne Puckridge

Eric resides in S. Africa a Frozen pensioner
Bob and Lady Anne in Canada 2 more frozen state pensioners.

All served proudly in WW11 and they get rewarded with a Frozen State Pension, and Lady Anne is 101 years young and served in all 4 departments also in WW11.
The latter went over to No 10 several years ago with thousands upon thousands of signatories and yes got the usual we support you and sadly that word no action.
Then last year she flew over and wanted to speak to Stammer, and would you believe it, he was too busy to spend even 30 minutes with Anne, and yes, she saw some so-called MPs sho gave support.
ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING INDEED!!

Yes, not one party or individual has the guts to say anything, as they all under a 2 line whipp, and frightened of losing the huge salaries andthey going up 5% nearly 100K + all the other perks and gold-plated pensions.
Some of us a very few seem to be working on behalf of 560K and if a little unfair, it is the truth and no one in Parliament knows what the UK once stood for: fairness and justice, long gone I am afraid,

It's a shame Labour didn't win the election in 2019 as this was a manifesto commitment: "We will ensure that the pensions of UK citizens living overseas rise in line with pensions in Britain."

https://ucrel.lancs.ac.uk/wmatrix/ukmanifestos2019/localpdf/Labour.pdf

4 hours ago, MarkT63 said:

What a surprise ☠️

3 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

It's a shame Labour didn't win the election in 2019 as this was a manifesto commitment: "We will ensure that the pensions of UK citizens living overseas rise in line with pensions in Britain."

https://ucrel.lancs.ac.uk/wmatrix/ukmanifestos2019/localpdf/Labour.pdf

Yes and they could now but a;; 650 of them are scum and under the 3line whip

I wonder how many below 67 who are reading this thread really understand it.

This whirlwind of anger, as bonafide as it is, relates to State Penioners ALREADY receiving the stipend. The anger simply means their annual pension will not increase in line with inflation because they don't live in the UK. For those receiving the State Pension for many years it is understandable their frustration. Over ten years they could be out hundreds of pounds.

Anyway, for others approaching the age to collect State Pension with full contributions (67) it's pretty good. But like the others, it will never increase (via inflation) as we live in Thailand.