1 minute ago, Kinnock said:

I still have property in UK, but rented out (hence UK tax), so so bridges burnt, but it's not worth the 12 hour flight for the 3 day UK 'summer'.

Been back to UK now 6 weeks or so after after delayed middle east conflict. The bloody heat was far too much ,the smoke,smell of <deleted> in the countryside on the rice fields. Was good to get back to cool air,admit weather can be <deleted>,like now, but better here than Thailand,could not move in the afternoon,the heat was awful,under the AC all afternoon

6 minutes ago, bruce123123 said:

What laws would they be? ,if you do not mind me asking, and are you a yank by any chance?. Just asking as to your knowledge of UK DWP

It's a hypothetical question, isn't it.

I can't take it as serious.

Next

4 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Laws are not made to please you.

You should have someone check your mind.

Laws are for everybody without exception.

To opt for crimes is very questionable

To what laws are you minded to,please answer specifically. My mind? you have to be a yank for that one lol

8 hours ago, bwanajohn said:

Government's ability to pander to the wealthy and punish the poor is breathtaking and predictable.Their.then ability to blame all the problems on the shiftless ,lazy lower class is patently immoral.

When you look around the world,it indeed appears to have been patented.

Sounds like the U.S. Under djt

8 hours ago, bwanajohn said:

Government's ability to pander to the wealthy and punish the poor is breathtaking and predictable.Their.then ability to blame all the problems on the shiftless ,lazy lower class is patently immoral.

When you look around the world,it indeed appears to have been patented.

DJT

if you contributed to the system for all your working life

and you don't use any services like free housing or nhs

off course you should get the same

as all those illegals they keep pampering, free hotel, free healthcare, free pension, free cash, free food

8 hours ago, bwanajohn said:

Government's ability to pander to the wealthy and punish the poor is breathtaking and predictable.Their.then ability to blame all the problems on the shiftless ,lazy lower class is patently immoral

Which individual in the government has blamed "all the problems" on the "shiftless, lazy lower class"? And which "problems" are you referencing?

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Not sure why you're quoting tax laws, we're discussing state pension payments which is DWP not HMRC.

Just illustrating that both organisations have a lot of power of investigation.

And, they definitely communicate with each other especially if they suspect fraud or other illegal activities.

1 hour ago, bruce123123 said:

Doubt this,used to send money over with Halifax £9.50 a go, Halifax going out of existence soon anyhow

Its policy,written down wotever DWP style on any policies concerning OAP ,please do not confuse,you are making mountains out of molehills or are you jealous with frozen pension

Not that it's any of your business, but I have nothing to be jealous of - my pension is not and will not be frozen.

Other than that your post is somewhat difficult to understand, so I assume English is not your first language (?)

My mother emigrated from the UK in 1948. She was 25 and and a few years earlier, during the war, she was a fire spotter at night on the roof of buildings during the blitz. When she finally received her pension (it was frozen) - something like 59 pounds a month (don't think it was a week). The way I saw it then, and still do, is she and others were being punished for leaving the UK after the war, and despite the risks to their lives they gave during the 'war effort'.

Also just to add, my mother, her mother (a widow) and two sisters were bombed out of their home twice.

6 minutes ago, VBF said:

Not that it's any of your business, but I have nothing to be jealous of - my pension is not and will not be frozen.

Other than that your post is somewhat difficult to understand, so I assume English is not your first language (?)

So you are going "unfrozen"then? or toes up..Ill do it in Chinese next

3 hours ago, VBF said:

I get your point, but from their POV, not giving them full information as to your exact address is lying! (Not saying I agree but it's a case of the truth, the whole truth etc.)

You stated earlier that you don't do any transactions on a UK bank when you're outside UK, so you are probably less likely to be investigated than some e.g. people who have their UK pension sent to Thailand.

Were you to go to court, you'd lose, because again, from their POV you're breaking the law, simple as that.

If you ignored a summons, they would probably stop your existing pension pending the outcome of the case, which clearly wouldn't go ahead. OR, you may be tried in absentia and the likely result would be your pension being blocked until you'd "paid back" what they say you owe.

As an aside I once took the DWP through 3 levels of a Tribunal attempting to get some unemployment benefits backdated. At the final appeal, the Chairman complimented me on my "cogent, well presented argument" He then refused my appeal, citing a legal Statute!

Again, not saying I agree with all this: I'm very much of the opinion that if one has earned one's pension and subsequent increases, one's location should be none of their damn business!

Lot to say on the subject..as if knowing

1 hour ago, VBF said:

Whether the policy is limp or not is moot. DWP / HMRC have enormous powers to investigate anyone they think is abusing the government rules that they enforce (rightly or wrongly!)

Just to illustrate, see attached image "HMRC powers", an AI overview of such powers.

11 minutes ago, VBF said:

Just illustrating that both organisations have a lot of power of investigation.

And, they definitely communicate with each other especially if they suspect fraud or other illegal activities.

Nope they do not,for OAP its gruesome..

8 hours ago, nausea said:

It's a false economy, regarding Thailand at least. If I go back to the UK, it's going to cost them a hell of a lot more than I cost at the moment.

Your comment is spot-on and entirely reasonable.

Regrettably, politicians don’t seem to share this perspective. Their approach appears to push pensioners back to the UK, where they would face an existence lacking dignity—forced to scrape by on minimal resources. It’s a situation where the phrase "enough to survive, but not enough to live" seems all too fitting.

What’s more perplexing is their failure to grasp that such policies only lead to greater financial strain on the state, family and relatives. On top of that, compelling pensioners to live in a certain place is deeply unfair.

Consider the number of pensioners thriving in Thailand on modest budgets, with many even able to enjoy small luxuries like a Chang beer without breaking the bank.

Instead of fostering a sense of security and happiness in their golden years, this approach instills needless fear and anxiety—a disservice to those who simply want to live out their lives in peace.

As an American who lives in Thailand via my monthly Social Security payments, which are adjusted annually for inflation, I must say this British rule is the most unfair, illogical, and hard hearted government policy I have ever heard of. I am going to file this under "If you can screw taxpayers and keep their money, do it." Wow. That sucks.

5 minutes ago, JustinTyme said:

As an American who lives in Thailand via my monthly Social Security payments, which are adjusted annually for inflation, I must say this British rule is the most unfair, illogical, and hard hearted government policy I have ever heard of. I am going to file this under "If you can screw taxpayers and keep their money, do it." Wow. That sucks.

You are right,but the govt confession is its been that way for for 80 years,why change it? Its pensioners on frozen pension that suffer,others come out on private pensions too and probably are not frozen on their OAP, will be OK Those on means tested benefits,housing/ PC/any amount of freebies,child allowances etc. are in the firing line,getting picked out like fireflies. They will be picked on at airport detection machinery

12 minutes ago, bruce123123 said:

So you are going "unfrozen"then? or toes up..Ill do it in Chinese next

Lot to say on the subject..as if knowing

Nope they do not,for OAP its gruesome..

Despite your apparent lack of English comprehension, you've managed to reply in fluent gibberish to all my reasoned posts including those based on my personal experience.

Impressive in a curious sort of way. 😎😁😊

I shall not respond to you further.

2 minutes ago, VBF said:

Despite your apparent lack of English comprehension, you've managed to reply in fluent gibberish to all my reasoned posts including those based on my personal experience.

Impressive in a curious sort of way. 😎😁😊

I shall not respond to you further.

Please do not block me...

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

Laws are not made to please you.

You should have someone check your mind.

Laws are for everybody without exception.

To opt for crimes is very questionable at least

Laws are for whomever can use them.

And many 'crimes' are simply a matter of opinion.

9 hours ago, CecilM said:

Makes sense. Since you don't spend the pension money in the UK, why should the gov't support your overseas lifestyle?

Because you have paid into it all your life - if you are on holiday 6 weeks a year does that mean you shouldn’t spend it on holiday? You have earned it - australia pays you from 55 if you leave as you are not a burden on services -That makes more sense

Yes because the Uk needs money to send to Ukraine, to buy multibillion arms deals with Trump for useless military hardware that will stand no match towards swarms of cheap drones....and so on. All this at the retirees expense. What a ruthless policy. But not to worry. There will still be money to fund the lifestyle of the UKroyals and even those banished in shame from their title.

9 hours ago, Farage said:

I guess the gov thinks its more important to use the funds to support illegal migrants ...mobile phones, hotels, free food, free medical, free transport....

and Ukraine of course. Not to mention that with the embargo from Biden and Brussels, no more dead cheap russian oil and gas.

5 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Then, if it is like you say, then Brits are very gullible. I saw it as a natural thing to look over everything, before moving from Sweden, so there would not be any surprises later in life. That´s something I expect everyone to do, instead of just don´t give a rat's ass and later complain. The only difference with you, is that there is no complaining from you. Otherwise, you were same foolish not to even think about checking how it works with your pension in the country you are moving to.

Besides that, you also talk about that it´s not fair when quoting my post and replying to me. I never mentioned anything regarding that and only stated the facts. Was that your way of smoothly making it look like I am bad, nicely disguised. That doesn´t work, as I don´t think it´s fair at all, but it´s beside the point. The need to check, and the need to be aware!

At the end your reply, you are also making kind of a fool out of yourself. You thank goodness for mediums that have delivered this information to you during recent years. Are you for real? Why would you call people that only state there are available information open for all regarding the subject? In other words, you don´t have to be a medium. You only have to be an enough clever person to find the information.

Also, there are not only Brits that are affected by different changes in their pension when they move abroad. Several countries have different clauses that in one way or another affects your pension. So, yeah! By replying like you just did, you made an even bigger fool out of yourself, by openly admitting that you didn´t have a thought of checking up such important things. Have a nice weekend now.

1 hour ago, nick supreme said:

The pension amount is just £241.30 a week? That seems incredibly inadequate!

1 hour ago, nick supreme said:

The pension amount is just £241.30 a week? That seems incredibly inadequate!

That is the new state pension rate, most pensioners are on the old rate of less than £200 a week.

42 minutes ago, bruce123123 said:

You are right,but the govt confession is its been that way for for 80 years,why change it? Its pensioners on frozen pension that suffer,others come out on private pensions too and probably are not frozen on their OAP, will be OK Those on means tested benefits,housing/ PC/any amount of freebies,child allowances etc. are in the firing line,getting picked out like fireflies. They will be picked on at airport detection machinery

Hey Bruce, Once again, "American" ... sorry, I have not clue one what you are talking about. It just seems to me, a person contributes to a system that promises future payments, and then the government decides to screw them using the "why does a dog lick its own balls?" logic ... BECAUSE IT CAN.

6 hours ago, potless said:

7 hours ago, emptypockets said:

That is true, but the money you spend will circulate in the local economy, not supporting a foreign country's economy.

The counter argument remains. How much money do UK pensioners living in the Philippines, USA or the European mainland contribute to the UK economy?

5 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Living in Thailand, I pay 10% of my gross income in UK income tax.

I'm guessing many UK pensioners living in other countries outside the UK pay similar amounts.

I pay tax too. It isnt about tax. My post was a reply as to where the pension money is spent. The UK economy doesnt benefit from an uprated pension paid to an expat in the Philippines. Did you read the post I was replying to? No justification for frozen pensions.

55 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Laws are for whomever can use them.

And many 'crimes' are simply a matter of opinion.

Thank you.

Additional description of riffraff

10 hours ago, CecilM said:

Makes sense. Since you don't spend the pension money in the UK, why should the gov't support your overseas lifestyle?

Makes no sense you 🔔🔚 people payed taxes on their wages all their working life IN THE UK they are no different to pensioners residing in the UK on full pension. Where you choose to live should have no bearing on your money. 😡

29 minutes ago, JustinTyme said:

Hey Bruce, Once again, "American" ... sorry, I have not clue one what you are talking about. It just seems to me, a person contributes to a system that promises future payments, and then the government decides to screw them using the "why does a dog lick its own balls?" logic ... BECAUSE IT CAN.

No, they cant if the UK govt says so

14 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The UK Pensions Minister Torsten Bell has updated MPs on the impact of the frozen state pension policy on British retirees living overseas, including thousands based in Thailand. The policy affects nearly half a million UK pensioners who live in countries where annual state pension increases under the triple lock do not apply.

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For those in Thailand and other affected nations, including Canada, New Zealand and South Africa, pension payments remain fixed at the rate first received after leaving the UK. Some individuals are reported to be receiving as little as £20 a week, compared with the current full new state pension of £241.30 a week.

The update was given on 2 June 2026 in response to a parliamentary question about the impact of frozen pensions on UK pensioners living abroad. The minister confirmed that the UK State Pension is payable worldwide regardless of nationality, but annual uprating only applies where there is a legal requirement, typically under reciprocal agreements.

Thailand remains one of the countries where such an agreement does not exist, meaning British retirees there do not benefit from yearly increases. The policy has been in place for decades and has been maintained by successive governments.

Campaigners from the End Frozen Pensions group have long argued that the policy disproportionately affects retirees who moved to Thailand after working in the UK. They claim many affected individuals, including veterans and former civil servants, were not informed that their pensions would be frozen before leaving the country.

The group estimates that 86% of those impacted were not made aware of the rule change in advance. They also describe the policy as a political decision that could be reversed through domestic legislation.

In his response to MPs, Torsten Bell reiterated that the existing approach remains government policy and indicated there are no plans for change in the near future. He said priority continues to be given to pensioners residing in the UK when allocating additional pensioner benefits.

For British retirees in Thailand, this means state pension payments will continue at fixed rates without inflation-linked increases unless future policy changes are introduced.

The Mirror reported that the frozen pensions system is expected to remain in place for UK retirees living in Thailand and other non-uprating countries unless new bilateral agreements or domestic legislative changes are made. Campaigners continue to lobby for reform, but the government has signalled stability in the current policy framework.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Mirror 6 June 2026

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Easy to get round. Just keep a UK address. Sisters/brothers/relative or friend. You can easily keep a bank account in the UK and transfer the money to a Thai bank account. 🤷🏼

10 hours ago, CecilM said:

Makes sense. Since you don't spend the pension money in the UK, why should the gov't support your overseas lifestyle?

Because one had to work consistently hard all through one's life to get it and one's last few years should be spent how one dam well wants to, that's why.

3 hours ago, VBF said:

Whether the policy is limp or not is moot. DWP / HMRC have enormous powers to investigate anyone they think is abusing the government rules that they enforce (rightly or wrongly!)

Just to illustrate, see attached image "HMRC powers", an AI overview of such powers.

1 hour ago, ronnie50 said:

My mother emigrated from the UK in 1948. She was 25 and and a few years earlier, during the war, she was a fire spotter at night on the roof of buildings during the blitz. When she finally received her pension (it was frozen) - something like 59 pounds a month (don't think it was a week). The way I saw it then, and still do, is she and others were being punished for leaving the UK after the war, and despite the risks to their lives they gave during the 'war effort'.

Also just to add, my mother, her mother (a widow) and two sisters were bombed out of their home twice.

With the greatest respect, the UK State OAP scheme was NOT available for service during the Second World War. Reference Google -

The modern contributory system most people are familiar with today was later established under the National Insurance Act 1946, which took effect in 1948.

23 minutes ago, Reddavy said:

Easy to get round. Just keep a UK address. Sisters/brothers/relative or friend. You can easily keep a bank account in the UK and transfer the money to a Thai bank account. 🤷🏼

Yes, I know many people do, BUT when DWP investigate your bank account and see transfers to Thailand (or wherever) BINGO for DWP. They are ruthless, like HMRC, as I know, having worked with them as a member of the UK Police Service.

A Life Certificate is a good starting point.

It just seems like pure greed for people that retire to another county expect to continue getting money from the state, much less get a raise.

That money should go to people actually in the country that need it.