30 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

Looking at it from outside (Oz), it's not clear what the logic of the UK government's position is. What has reciprocity with the other (in this case Thai) government got to do with it?

The number of Thai retirees living on Thai pensions in the UK is probably minuscule compared to the Brits living here ...

Of course in Oz as far as I'm aware if you are residing in Thailand you must return to Australia and stay there for two years to get the pension.

14 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

The UK Govt is not 'supporting' pensioners, they are paying back what the person has paid into their pot over their working years. So it should not matter what they spend it on or where they live.

Should the pension be suspended whenever the pensioner goes on holiday to one of these 'banned' countries.

Dont give 'em any ideas!

41 minutes 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?

What about those Brits living abroad who paid into the system all their working lives, and who do not make any demands on the NHS and other UK institutions ?

49 minutes 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?

The UK should factor in their social services savings from UK pensions who are not tapping the UK social safety-net by instead expatriating. How many of these guys would need the UK's social welfare system to support them if they lived in the UK?

20 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

Should the pension be suspended whenever the pensioner goes on holiday to one of these 'banned' countries.

Don't give them the idea........or they'll be looking at ways to implement it !

24 minutes ago, baansgr said:

I wouldn't say that...how many old retireess go back as soon as they are sick...then on the first flight to Thailand when better

Like many here, I have private health insurance, so why would I go back to UK to sit in an NHS corridor waiting for hours to see a doctor?

And you need to prove you've moved back permanently to qualify for NHS treatment.

1 minute ago, Kinnock said:

Like many here, I have private health insurance, so why would I go back to UK to sit in an NHS corridor waiting for hours to see a doctor?

And you need to prove you've moved back permanently to qualify for NHS treatment.

And like many others here, we cannot afford Private Health insurance after the age of 65 - 70.

30 minutes ago, baansgr said:

I wouldn't say that...how many old retireess go back as soon as they are sick...then on the first flight to Thailand when better

Very few, if any.

29 minutes ago, baansgr said:

I wouldn't say that...how many old retireess go back as soon as they are sick...then on the first flight to Thailand when better

A sick Brit retiree going back to the UK for medical treatment on the NHS would be refused because they don't have a permanent UK address.

A person arriving illegally on the south coast however is treated differently

I use myukpost.com so I get a legal uk address ... so all my correspondence goes there and they scan my post daily and my prescriptions posted monthly... so I still get my triple lock

Much like the government of the day's favourite nonce (Jimmy) they're doing it because they like it and can get away with it. They despise the little people. If you want the full pension you're going to spend it enriching their corrupt pals in the corporate and banking world. And you're going to take and like the treatment from the replacement population. Lick their fingers and beg for your triple lock (they'll take that soon, too). Or remain in Thailand and enjoy your remaining years.

The Brits in Canada have had organizations and clubs to petition the UK government for as long as I can remember and it hasn't made the least impression on any administration.

1 hour 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?

Why? Because, unlike pensioners in the UK, those living overseas are not a drain on resources, especially the NHS. In effect, by living overseas they save the government money.

1 hour 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?

Slave mentality from a man who's internalized being tax cattle.

Those programs are not voluntary and it's your money they took so why are they now dictating the terms of how you spend it?

The answer is because your tax cattle and they control the police, but this is a BAD thing and you should be upset about it.

3 minutes ago, Spilornis said:

When this subject was last raised a few years back many people discussed the option of relocating to the Phillipines for a year and "refreshing" the pension.

With inflation running at around 5% in recent years the relative differences must be starting to impact many.

A strange system.

As I understand it Australia does increase the pension for people overseas but you do not qualify for the various one off allowances which supplement the pension.

Historically Australia was big on family reunion visas which allowed Australians to bring their parents from overseas. After a few years the parents qualified for the old aged pension and could then return home to live a comfortable life. I think it's a bit harder these days.

You don't even need to go for 1 year, live in PI 6 months a year, perfectly legal and get the increase La

8 minutes ago, Geordieabroad said:

A sick Brit retiree going back to the UK for medical treatment on the NHS would be refused because they don't have a permanent UK address.

A person arriving illegally on the south coast however is treated differently

NHS won't refuse anyone

Why? Because, unlike pensioners in the UK, those living overseas are not a drain on resources, especially the NHS. In effect, by living overseas they save the government money.

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.

58 minutes ago, Briggsy said:

The UK government will never willingly amend this rule. It saves huge amounts of money and there is virtually no consequence at the ballot box.

It is here to stay.

It saves £930 million a year, according to an internet search. Peanuts in the big picture. It's a case of out of sight, out of mind, and those who equally paid into the system and save the UK money by not being a drain on resources are treated with contempt by successive governments. What astonishes me is that those living in the USA get increases but those in Canada and other Commonwealth countries, do not.

4 minutes ago, iqinternet said:

I use myukpost.com so I get a legal uk address ... so all my correspondence goes there and they scan my post daily and my prescriptions posted monthly... so I still get my triple lock

Don't want to alarm you but since Sept 2025 the DWP carries out 10s of thousands of home visits per month to check for benefits (including pensions) fraud and support vulnerable people.

Many videos on YT about it, haven't watched any of them as I don't recieve any benefits (And if I did any annual increase would be dwarfed by the tax advantages of being Non UK Tax Resident) but here's one that came up high on the search list...

9 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

Very few, if any.

'Ever traveling on the level of time to that undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler returns' comes to mind. It's usually a one way trip back to the UK.

1 hour 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?

Why shouldn't they? Almost all pensioners living in countries where increases are not given, have paid their full dues for fifty years, the same as those living in the UK. Where we spend our money has nothing to do with any government.

Question, how does the UK government determine whether or not you're a UK resident?

I ask as an American worried the US may implement a similar policy. I currently spend more time in Thailand than the US although I return to the US each year, maintain a US address (a family member's home), have a current US drivers license, use US health insurance for major issues, and pay US taxes (as all US citizens must even if only earning money outside of the US).

If I were a UK citizen would I have my pension locked under these circumstances?

What a nasty Government the Brits have. I thought Australia was bad not including supplemental payments but to not increase the rate! It’s beyond words!

20 minutes ago, Geordieabroad said:

A sick Brit retiree going back to the UK for medical treatment on the NHS would be refused because they don't have a permanent UK address.

A person arriving illegally on the south coast however is treated differently

You can give any UK address you like, they don't check.

Obviously you would need to not flap your mouth about living overseas.

51 minutes ago, baansgr said:

I wouldn't say that...how many old retireess go back as soon as they are sick...then on the first flight to Thailand when better

From what I've read during the many times this comes up, you have to be resident in the UK for six months before receiving treatment on the NHS. I stand to be corrected, but that is my memory after earlier research.

2 minutes ago, ftpjtm said:

Question, how does the UK government determine whether or not you're a UK resident?

I ask as an American worried the US may implement a similar policy. I currently spend more time in Thailand than the US although I return to the US each year, maintain a US address (a family member's home), have a current US drivers license, use US health insurance for major issues, and pay US taxes (as all US citizens must even if only earning money outside of the US).

If I were a UK citizen would I have my pension locked under these circumstances?

You tell them ......... nothing more to it than that, they don't check.

All the people with restricted pensions volunteered the info they lived overseas.

17 minutes ago, iqinternet said:

I use myukpost.com so I get a legal uk address ... so all my correspondence goes there and they scan my post daily and my prescriptions posted monthly... so I still get my triple lock

And what happens when someone comes knocking, which is possible.?

1 minute ago, Bangkok Barry said:

From what I've read during the many times this comes up, you have to be resident in the UK for six months before receiving treatment on the NHS. I stand to be corrected, but that is my memory after earlier research.

Yes but NHS won't refuse you treatment

1 hour 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?

So then why differentiate between countries? Why not a blanket rule tha applies to all of them?

1 hour ago, Thingamabob said:

We have petitioned the UK government on the issue of frozen pensions for years. I was once part of a delegation to the House of Commons stating our case and asking for, at least, a review of current policy.

When David Cameron was PM, and the issue of frozen pensions was raised, he said "if they keep complaining, I will take away their personal allowance".

The pension is not government money it's money you paid in over your working life it is yours.

American expats aren't sitting around gloating. We're wringing our hands, worrying about looming benefit cuts and a devaluation of the USD.