On 6/6/2026 at 2:20 AM, riverhigh said:

I'm not from the UK but imho every UK expat living in Thailand has the right to be upset. They contributed to the pension plan during their working life under the same rules as UK residents and must be treated the same. If person "A" contributes 30,000 pounds over a lifetime same as perdon "B" then they must receive the same regardless where they live. The fact that a retiree living in the Philippines gets more than a retiree in Thailand is both unfair and discriminatory.

I'm sure it was repeated in the thread, but its actually not a pension plan. There isn't actually a pension fund. Its a benefit, so the argument is its a concession that expatriates receive anything.

The rights to a state pension is based on how many years you have worked for or had NI credited, not how much you have put into it. Many will have put a lot more in as National Insurance, but will get the same as someone, theoretically, who has been on the dole all their life.

The Philippines Treaty was brought by Manila, as a reflection of the number of Filipinos working in the UK.

Upgrades to pensions in the UK reflect changes in the cost of living in the UK, not the costs of living in, say, Thailand. Do you think UK pensioners living in Thailand should get a winter fuel allowance? It would be absurd.

The way the scheme was set up is why it has become unaffordable for the nation (why the pension age is creeping up, I will get it when I'm 69, yet I'm unlikely to live any longer than the current crop of old buggers. They got 15 years out of their state pension, I'll be lucky to get 10).

National Insurance is used to pay current pensioners. I have to depend on the largesse of future taxpayers, who might still be at school, to look after me.

Very sad and wrong.

13 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Very sad and wrong.

Absolutely.

BUT, it is not not going to change - iot in our lifetime, or our kids/grandkids lifetimes. There is no incentive to change and 500k old codgers (a good proportion of which lost the right to vote years ago) are not a powerful motivation for politicians.

Too much oxygen is spent on the futility of threads like this,

2 hours ago, bruce123123 said:

He cant,load of crap. Stay frozen,its only jealousy coming to play. Wot u give up goes indirectly to the unfrozen

No idea where Jealousy would come into it, if somebody sleeps better at night because they play by the rules then that might be worth more to them than the annual increases.

I sort of feel "pity" (small p) for guys who are "Fiddling" the State Pension (I don't blame them for doing this as the rules are very wrong) because their UK assets must be quite limited or they would be taking advantage of Disregarded Income & FOTRA Investments rules to ensure they are non UK Tax Resident & so save on UK Tax on their investments.

So yeah, no Jealousy from this guy.

21 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

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.

Not if you pop back over to the UK now and then. As for the DWP investigating your pension very doubtful as long as it’s going in a UK bank they don’t bother. I know quite a few expats over here who have been doing it for years that’s how i heard about it.

5 minutes ago, SamSpade said:

No idea where Jealousy would come into it, if somebody sleeps better at night because they play by the rules then that might be worth more to them than the annual increases.

I sort of feel "pity" (small p) for guys who are "Fiddling" the State Pension (I don't blame them for doing this as the rules are very wrong) because their UK assets must be quite limited or they would be taking advantage of Disregarded Income & FOTRA Investments rules to ensure they are non Tax UK Resident & so save on UK Tax on their investments.

So yeah, no Jeaousy from this guy.

Id have nightmares if I was frozen living there in Thailand,not now , I'm back in UK. Can drag anything and everything out of Rules/regulations of DWP,but for Old Age Pension..ridiculous,mind boggling,imagine the outburst from newspapers if a pensioner were to suffer a cut...never happen

Clearly the UK government saves a lot more than just not paying the inflation in these frozen pensions - there are no costs to the NHS, no other subsidies like those paid to pensioners in the UK. For a country that places 'fairness' and 'good character' so highly, it's a scandal really.

1 minute ago, bruce123123 said:

Id have nightmares if I was frozen living there in Thailand,not now , I'm back in UK. Can drag anything and everything out of Rules/regulations of DWP,but for Old Age Pension..ridiculous,mind boggling,imagine the outburst from newspapers if a pensioner were to suffer a cut...never happen

I'd have nightmares if I was back in the UK & having to pay tax on my investment income/Capital Gains but we all manage our pensions in our own way...

I'm asset rich & Pension poor because I've worked overseas since 2008 & have had to make my own pension provisions (In those days SIPP wasn't a thing so I invested in a General Investment Account), I have kept my voluntary NI contributions up to date so hopefully will get SP when I hit 67.

What I was trying to highlight is that for some of us the tax savings on ensuring the UK government knows that we don't live in the UK far outweigh any annual State Pension increases.

Fun fact, I turned 60 in Feb & am currently enjoying receiving part of my State Pension, It's not from the government it's from a Bank I used to work for that compensated it's male employees for retiring at 60 (Mandatory when I joined) who couldn't get State Pension until they were 65 whereas (Until 2018) Females recieved the SP at 60.

Will suck when I do hit 67 as that part of my private pension will get cancelled.

2 hours ago, Roadsternut said:

Do you think UK pensioners living in Thailand should get a winter fuel allowance? It would be absurd.

I read that EVERY pensioner will get the Winter Fuel Allowance and that there is no way to refuse it.

McCartney, Jagger, Branson, etc, all get it.

44 minutes ago, Reddavy said:

I know quite a few expats over here who have been doing it for years that’s how i heard about it.

Did any of those Expats live here on endless Visa Exempt/ ED visas? How's that going for them nowadays?

It's like the discussions about opening Bank Accounts, I walked in & opened one on a 30 day Visa Exempt 11 years ago, try doing that nowadays & let us know you get on.

Times are changing in Thailand & in the UK so "Past experience is no predictor of future performance", and to be blunt with today's access to data, it's not a case of if DWP catches up to you, more a case of when... A lot of guys will think they'll be long gone before that happens but for somebody who is 60 I'm expecting it to happen before I get my State Pension.

As always... Up to You...

15 minutes ago, SamSpade said:

Did any of those Expats live here on endless Visa Exempt/ ED visas? How's that going for them nowadays?

It's like the discussions about opening Bank Accounts, I walked in & opened one on a 30 day Visa Exempt 11 years ago, try doing that nowadays & let us know you get on.

Times are changing in Thailand & in the UK so "Past experience is no predictor of future performance", and to be blunt with today's access to data, it's not a case of if DWP catches up to you, more a case of when... A lot of guys will think they'll be long gone before that happens but for somebody who is 60 I'm expecting it to happen before I get my State Pension.

As always... Up to You...

Like I said..small beer,DWP looking at old aged pensioners pension?...no chance,not a chance in hell,its small beer

48 minutes ago, SamSpade said:

I'd have nightmares if I was back in the UK & having to pay tax on my investment income/Capital Gains but we all manage our pensions in our own way...

I'm asset rich & Pension poor because I've worked overseas since 2008 & have had to make my own pension provisions (In those days SIPP wasn't a thing so I invested in a General Investment Account), I have kept my voluntary NI contributions up to date so hopefully will get SP when I hit 67.

What I was trying to highlight is that for some of us the tax savings on ensuring the UK government knows that we don't live in the UK far outweigh any annual State Pension increases.

Fun fact, I turned 60 in Feb & am currently enjoying receiving part of my State Pension, It's not from the government it's from a Bank I used to work for that compensated it's male employees for retiring at 60 (Mandatory when I joined) who couldn't get State Pension until they were 65 whereas (Until 2018) Females recieved the SP at 60.

Will suck when I do hit 67 as that part of my private pension will get cancelled.

Not so fun fact ,Im older than you by quite a margin. Public sector retiree at 48,worked bit longer,not much ,then out to Thailand sha.g.ging myself to death

I'm not asset rich,waste of time now,the house manages you, but few bob in bank.,good interest,all the savings plans going well,some at 7.2%,dont need it any more,light the fire with 20 quid notes

OAP topped up by (forget wot ) 2 other inputs, no starvation there. I'm on OAP virt top rate,AA no tax, public sector which leaves OAP in the dust,pay big tax bill,and why not? then interest on savings.

Thailand? you will be grasping hold of life there soon enough with visa crackdowns,happened in Goa years ago, creeping in "we want our country back"Just like UK now, once Reform in, it will be wicked,riots galore coming up

1 hour ago, wil iam not said:

I read that EVERY pensioner will get the Winter Fuel Allowance and that there is no way to refuse it.

McCartney, Jagger, Branson, etc, all get it.

Yes, it's ridiculous. The current Labour government tried to introduce means testing and got slaughtered for it, so u-turned!

55 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

I read that EVERY pensioner will get the Winter Fuel Allowance and that there is no way to refuse it.

McCartney, Jagger, Branson, etc, all get it.

56 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

I read that EVERY pensioner will get the Winter Fuel Allowance and that there is no way to refuse it.

McCartney, Jagger, Branson, etc, all get it.

Nope, only a few, who have lived in the EEA or Switzerland since before 2020, will receive it. And you only get it if the average winter temperatures where you live are less than the warmest winter temperatures in the UK. So pensioners in France and Spain will never get it.

Those names get it because I suppose they live in Switzerland.

Its also now means tested. You don't get anything if your income exceeds £35,000.

13 minutes ago, Roadsternut said:

Nope, only a few, who have lived in the EEA or Switzerland since before 2020, will receive it. And you only get it if the average winter temperatures where you live are less than the warmest winter temperatures in the UK. So pensioners in France and Spain will never get it.

Those names get it because I suppose they live in Switzerland.

Its also now means tested. You don't get anything if your income exceeds £35,000.

We must be getting our info from different sources. From Perplexity,

18 minutes ago, Roadsternut said:

Nope, only a few, who have lived in the EEA or Switzerland since before 2020, will receive it. And you only get it if the average winter temperatures where you live are less than the warmest winter temperatures in the UK. So pensioners in France and Spain will never get it.

Those names get it because I suppose they live in Switzerland.

Its also now means tested. You don't get anything if your income exceeds £35,000.

who is eligible to get the UK winter fuel allowance

For England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, you can usually get the Winter Fuel Payment if you were born on or before 27 June 1960 and normally live in one of those places during the qualifying week.

In practice, most people over State Pension age get it automatically, but it can be reduced or recovered if your taxable income is over £35,000.

You are generally not eligible if you usually live outside England, Wales or Northern Ireland, were in prison for the qualifying week, were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole qualifying week, or your immigration status says you cannot claim public funds.

For care homes, extra rules apply: some people living in care homes are not eligible, especially if they receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit, or income-related ESA and have lived there for the full relevant period.

For Scotland, the rules are different because Winter Fuel Payment has been replaced there by a separate Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.

1 hour ago, SamSpade said:

Did any of those Expats live here on endless Visa Exempt/ ED visas? How's that going for them nowadays?

It's like the discussions about opening Bank Accounts, I walked in & opened one on a 30 day Visa Exempt 11 years ago, try doing that nowadays & let us know you get on.

Times are changing in Thailand & in the UK so "Past experience is no predictor of future performance", and to be blunt with today's access to data, it's not a case of if DWP catches up to you, more a case of when... A lot of guys will think they'll be long gone before that happens but for somebody who is 60 I'm expecting it to happen before I get my State Pension.

As always... Up to You...

Yes they all live here on retirement visas. Bank accounts are still easy to open just use a visa agent yes you pay them but it saves the hassle. As for the future in Thailand well throw a coin up in the air to predict these crazy politicians here. As regards to the UK sad to say it is going down the toilet very quickly. Best get out while you can in my opinion. 🤷🏼

13 hours ago, jacko45k said:

In some countries but not others.

I did say “most” in the next sentence but you didn’t include that bit

It's scary how much your internet acitivity is monitored/analysied nowadays but this just popped up on my YT feed...

1 hour ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Yes, it's ridiculous. The current Labour government tried to introduce means testing and got slaughtered for it, so u-turned!

This illustrates the risks associated with generous government social programs. This is why the West is facing financial difficulties.

The National Insurance act of 1946 following the act of 1945 was when pensions were frozen. In the UK. It was not introduced in the 1970s as one contributor stated.

On 6/6/2026 at 9:39 AM, 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.

Au contraire, looking around, most don't return, so their is only goign to be a small amount paid out on the few that do, you can reset and leave again of course. Not sure why this is a surprise, someone mentioned its been this way since 1945. Similarly Australia's government aged pension is indexed only if you are in Australia OR retired in a country with reciprocal pension system, like India (these are often included in trade agreements) but its also means tested, your private pension is yours to do with as you wish of course.

8 hours ago, Caldera said:

Instead of being grateful that they are allowed to spend their pensions abroad, those pensioners keep moaning about frozen pensions. They should be forced to spend their pensions within the UK, paying VAT and securing jobs.

You are right, of course. It's pathetic, hear me out.

It's the monthly tradition on aseannow.... British pensioners logging on to weep about being skint. It’s gotten so grim that some are turning to a life of crime for a staggering... 2% annual payout. Imagine being called a fraud for a sum that wouldn't even secure you a box of Quality Street.

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.

So plain as day will not be likely to change

On 6/6/2026 at 9:28 AM, impulse said:

Like it or not, every pension dime that's sent to Thailand is gone from the UK for good.

Send a pension dime to the UK, and it bounces around the economy, creating jobs, and generating taxes.

I may not agree with the policy. But there is a logic behind it.

Then why not save a ......load by cancelling those reciprical arrangements with those other countries ?

On 6/6/2026 at 8:19 AM, CecilM said:

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

If you take off your blinkers you will see, they are not a burden on the NHS, they don't receive a free bus pass or TV licence, they don't receive extra money where eligible for heating allowance. They should be rewarded for the money that they save the government, not penalized.

The "overseas lifestyle" as you begrudgingly say, is a choice made to enjoy a better standard of living than the UK.

This pension freeze policy was introduced just after the second world war, when nobody had much money and were busy rebuilding the country. There would only be a handful of people who would have retired abroad, as traveling was not as easy as it is today. Example being, moving to Australia involved a six-week journey by boat.

Now you can travel anywhere in the world in 1 day, more people travel now than 80 years ago.

If people are allowed to come to the UK and get full benefit, any UK citizen who has paid their taxes should receive full pension anywhere in the world.

The law was made and affected a few people, now it effects over half a million pensioners.

Update the law NOW

T'was quite a few years ago,prob 12 to 15 at least

Pup reporter for a Barrow in Furness rag, sat in county court there in Barrow UK,listening to proceedings,one caught his eye...DWP against a woman living in Australia,but having an address there in Barrow..Simultaneity in Somerset county court in Bristol, DWP bringing a case against a guy,no idea where he was living..... so confident (or supposed) DWP did not turn up to both hearings,it was for freezing of their pensions,asked about the cases DWP did not respond,only to say no repeats.

Look it up

15 hours ago, Celsius said:

You are right, of course. It's pathetic, hear me out.

It's the monthly tradition on aseannow.... British pensioners logging on to weep about being skint. It’s gotten so grim that some are turning to a life of crime for a staggering... 2% annual payout. Imagine being called a fraud for a sum that wouldn't even secure you a box of Quality Street.

It isn't the 2% ,its the compounding of the 2% that makes the difference

15 hours ago, Celsius said:

You are right, of course. It's pathetic, hear me out.

It's the monthly tradition on aseannow.... British pensioners logging on to weep about being skint. It’s gotten so grim that some are turning to a life of crime for a staggering... 2% annual payout. Imagine being called a fraud for a sum that wouldn't even secure you a box of Quality Street.

My pension has risen by around 25% in the past four years.

(10%, 8%, 4%, 4% not in any order)

Confirms lol

Its been in place since 1953 !!!

12 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

My pension has risen by around 25% in the past four years.

(10%, 8%, 4%, 4% not in any order)

Mine has gone up from 135 in 2020 to 189 now, that's 55 quid a week more. That's 40% more of what I was getting, or 29% of what I get now.