Australian Aged Pension

[afarang]

I am sorry that you misunderstood my post. I was not saying That I demanded that we be paid for the ancilliaries.Quite the opposite. I thought it clear that what i was saying that as we choose to live outside Oz, we cannot expect to be able to receive them, so saying that we are SAVING the Govt., huge amounts of money. Clear now? Now, I was informed by C.L. , in 2007 that my pension HAD to be paid into an Australian bank.NO option. They stated that it was Govt. policy ,that the Govt. refused to pay pensions into a bank outside of Oz. . I would be so happy , if you can prove me , and many like me, the falsity of that. We are all suffering the rapaciousness of our dearly beloved Big 4.

[ozzydom]

Cant remember when I started having my OAP paid into Bangkok Bank ,but it was many Passbooks ago.

Just contact CL International on the free line,which from Thailand is 001 800 611 4136 and tell them you want to have your pension paid into your Thailand bank a/c (if you already have an a/c).

They will send you two forms ,one for you to fill in and one for the bank.

The bank one is just verifacation of your A/C number and branch plus the banks Swift transfer code.

The bank is supposed to stamp it with their seal but Bangkok Bank refused to do that as they say it may render them liable for losses if transfers go astray or such.CL understands that and said not to worry about it.

In the end the form went astray after CL received it so I just gave them the particulars over the phone and Bobs your uncle,it was done.

Overseas payments are made monthly not fortnightly,they are made on a thursday and the cash is in my a/c pm monday (used to be wednesday but the system has speeded up of late).

Centrelink pays all costs so your pension is sent in baht (at the rates at that point in time) so your only deduction will be your atm withdrawal fee (20 baht if its your own branch).

There are a great many Australians here taken advantage of this service.

Of course this is only for OAP recipients,and you will be placed on the overseas recipients register and the adress you give in Thailand will become your adress at Centrelink, you will get all correspondence including the Pensioner News at that adress.

For obvious reasons Disability Pensioners wont be able to use this service.

[ozzydom]

A friendly heads up for Australian Age Pension recipients.

With the rise in value of the Oz $ the OAP is now high enough to qualify for a Non Imm O if you married to a Thai national.

When you do your Stat Dec at the Embassy you can state that your income is in excess of 40k per month.

The actual monthly pension is approx $38,400AUD ,but remember there are 13 pay months in the calendar year.

So you multiply the $38400 x 13 = $499,200 then divide by the 12 calendar months =$41,600

Do not mention fortnights to Immigration as it is not in their vocabulary and the concept of 26 x 2 week periods in a year is totally foreign to them.

[OLDAUSSIE]

A friendly heads up for Australian Age Pension recipients.

With the rise in value of the Oz $ the OAP is now high enough to qualify for a Non Imm O if you married to a Thai national.

When you do your Stat Dec at the Embassy you can state that your income is in excess of 40k per month.

The actual monthly pension is approx $38,400AUD ,but remember there are 13 pay months in the calendar year.

So you multiply the $38400 x 13 = $499,200 then divide by the 12 calendar months =$41,600

Do not mention fortnights to Immigration as it is not in their vocabulary and the concept of 26 x 2 week periods in a year is totally foreign to them.

How can I get a pension like yours?????

$38,400. every two weeks......???????

[Artisi]

Think someone need to relook at those numbers, there IS NO WAY OAP is $41,600/ month, I only wish it were.

[ozzydom]

A friendly heads up for Australian Age Pension recipients.

With the rise in value of the Oz $ the OAP is now high enough to qualify for a Non Imm O if you married to a Thai national.

When you do your Stat Dec at the Embassy you can state that your income is in excess of 40k per month.

The actual monthly pension is approx $38,400AUD ,but remember there are 13 pay months in the calendar year.

So you multiply the $38400 x 13 = $499,200 then divide by the 12 calendar months =$41,600

Do not mention fortnights to Immigration as it is not in their vocabulary and the concept of 26 x 2 week periods in a year is totally foreign to them.

How can I get a pension like yours?????

$38,400. every two weeks......???????

If you brush up on your comprehension and read the post CAREFULLY ,you will note that it states the pension is now $38,400 THB per month (pay period 28days ) of which there are 13 pay periods in calendar year .(28 x 13 =364). whereas Thais regard a year as having 12 months .

[ozzydom]

Think someone need to relook at those numbers, there IS NO WAY OAP is $41,600/ month, I only wish it were.

Sorry, should read THB ,as if you did not know.

[Artisi]

An interesting point for information / discussion etc. If you are retired and living in Thailand and receiving OAP, any property you own in Thailand and in which you live is still deemed as your place of residence and is not included in any assets consideration in terms of the amount of pension you will be paid.

This was discussed last week with Centrelink Tasmania as I am about to move back to Thailand on a permanent basis, I am selling my house in Sydney which was my place of residence and have 12 months to move any money I need to build / buy in Thailand with out penalty or having the proceeds from the sale included in any assets consideration, if I haven't finished building within 12 months, they will then review the situation usually in your favour if you can show that the building is still under construction and in fact it is or will be your place of residence.

[Artisi]

Think someone need to relook at those numbers, there IS NO WAY OAP is $41,600/ month, I only wish it were.

Sorry, should read THB ,as if you did not know.

after posting I had the thought that you probably meant Bht. :wai

[scorecard]

Thanks to all for the interesting and valuable information on this thread. The last time I contacted Centrelink, perhaps 5 years ago (in Melbourne), they said:

- Absolutely no chance whatever, and regardless of any personal different circumstances, of getting the Old Age Pension.

At the same time I rang The Veterans Affairs office in Melbourne (I am a Vietnam veteran)and spoke to one officer who was quite pleasant and positive and he offered to personally process my application form etc., but the line was cut before I got his name. I called back and couldn't locate the same guy but ended up speaking to a female officer who was totally negative, said I would get nothing and in the process was simply rude, and she indicated:

- Absolutely no chance whatever, and regardless of any personal different circumstances, of getting the War Veterand Pension. (I am a Vietnam veteran.)

From what I've just read it seems that some folks are receiving part of full Old Age Pension (dependant of course on various personal circumstances).

Travelling to Australia to get it all started it not a good option for me because of my current health situation. Has anybody used a lawyer or an agent of some sort, In Australia, to get try to get it started?

Would appreciate anything other members can share on this point.

Thanks.

[fishhooks]

If I may, not being an expert (or OAP recipient as yet)

I think scorecard, you are going to get caught by the Resident/Non Resident situation, whereas you appear to have been a long time out of the country.

As harsh as the rules are, it seems you are not allowed to appear as living in another country before getting this payment. If you are not classed as a non-resident and end up getting the OAP when applicable, some seem to have been able to ship-out fairly smartly and retain the payment in some form.

[Mason45]

What I can't fathom out is the Centrelink logic, that is they total up your days out of Australia. If the total exceeds 183 days in one year then you are disqualified from receiving the OAP. To re qualify a person must then reside in Australia for 2 years without leaving the country.

[fishhooks]

At least you have a formula there Mason,

One which I've been trying to get for a long time. Where does this little gem exist in print?

And if so, how many years is this applied over, back from the date of your application?

[OLDAUSSIE]

An interesting point for information / discussion etc. If you are retired and living in Thailand and receiving OAP, any property you own in Thailand and in which you live is still deemed as your place of residence and is not included in any assets consideration in terms of the amount of pension you will be paid.

This was discussed last week with Centrelink Tasmania as I am about to move back to Thailand on a permanent basis, I am selling my house in Sydney which was my place of residence and have 12 months to move any money I need to build / buy in Thailand with out penalty or having the proceeds from the sale included in any assets consideration, if I haven't finished building within 12 months, they will then review the situation usually in your favour if you can show that the building is still under construction and in fact it is or will be your place of residence.

For your benefit get it in writing from C-L. Dont believe what the office in Tasmania tell you.

[OLDAUSSIE]

After two and a half years in the process of attempting to get an aged pension through Centre Link I profess to be an authourity on the subject.

It is difficult to know where to start in addressing this issue.

First, There is the two year rule which states that an applicant returning from overseas must be informed IN DETAIL by the CL rep. of all the rules pertaining to this rule. Problem? not many CL reps even know of the rules and so can not fulfill their obligation. and will either give you false information or no information at all. Both can be disasterous to your cause.

Second. There are many CL reps who are out to get you and will lay all sorts of traps for you by giving you incorrect info. and then denieing your application.

Most CL reps are totally uninformed about overseas details so go directly to the overseas division in Hobart. Do not rely on any verbal communications. GET EVERY THING IN WRITING from them as you will often get conflicting info from different officers. Keep all records and details of phone coversations IE: time subject and who you spoke to. This is vital if a conflick arrises at a later date. If things really get sticky then you can apply to the freedom of information people to get detailed records of you file. This is some times complicated and very time consuming.

AS you have to show with out a doubt that you intend in remaining in Australia indefinately make sure that you and your spouse DO NOT OWN ANY PROPERTY IN THAILAND. This will indicate that your real intended permanent residence is Thailand and not Australia. Giving an immediate disqualification

During any conversations or correspondence do not intimate for a second that you eventually intend to resume residence back in Thailand after your two year probation period in Auistralia. This will be taken by some uninformed CL reps that to are trying to defraud the system.

At all times be as wise as sepents and as meek as doves. While there are many CL reps who are genuinely helpful and sympathetic to your needs. There are just as many who have missed their true calling and should have been employed by ASIO. THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT YOUR FRIENDS. One of Australias leading Phyciatrists has found though exaustive studies that up to 10% of civil service employees are pathalogical liars or Phycopaths. Beware, they are out there with you in their sights.

Hope fully there will be some changes at the top in Centre Link for here in lies the problem. Now that we have a more friendly and compassionate government and a Minister, Jenny Macklin,who has a track record of A FAIR GO ATTITUDE.

I could go on ad infinitem, suffice to say that I have documentation to support every thing I have said.

Cheated

I have just dug out this old post. Do NOT Trust C-L

Regards having my pension paid direct into a Bank A/C here I have had three phone conversations with C-L in Tasmania about this and I have been given three different answers, 1st one said "No way" 2nd " said yes but only if I have a US$ account, 3rd said "Yes" and would send the forms which never turned up, so I called them again and they had no record of the forms being sent and their final answer was NO. Thats why I say get it in Writing.

There is a post on here somewhere from a guy that worked at C-L & he said that in the Tasmanian office they are told to give us conflicting answers in the hope we will just go away. Im going to try & find that post.

[OLDAUSSIE]

It's now 2.30am here in Sydney on Thu. I may get tired of this before long, in which case I'll try to add what I can at a later time.

I worked for what's now called Centrelink from '81 to 9/97. Before 9/97 it was called the Dept of Social Security, and before that......

Firstly, if phoning them always get a 'receipt' number...the name is not so important.

+ note the date. Telephone calls are made to so-called Call Centres these days, not to individual regional offices, as before (where one could actually ask for and speak a second time to the same person as before, person who would quite likely remember you - always a pleasant experience).

Age Pension: a male is - in law, repeat in law - 'eligible' for the AP from day one of 65th birthday, and the signed paper 'claim' for this may be 'lodged' (submitted) prior to this day - days or weeks before, when is irrelevant.

A paper 'claim' (for any benefit/pension) cannot be refused, under any circumstances (it resides in a cardboard file until the cows come home). (For women the qualifying age is currently 63 + 1/2).

A person 'qualifies' for AP if and 'when' certain criteria are met - mainly income, assets, residency. The words 'eligible' and 'qualify' are sancrosact within C.......k.

Assets and income: the computer does the 2 calculations (tests), and C...k pays whichever is the lower figure produced. You live in a cave but own 2 mill bucks worth of paintings (assets test hits you) or you run a brothel, earn a mill a month but own nothing (income hits you). The computer understands. It'll pay $212pf as per the A test, but $212.50 as per the I test....you get paid under the A test - this is what your first letter will tell you. Dead simple - the 'puter is 100% impartial. Subsequent letters will ask you to report upon any 'changed circumstances'.

All assets, all income, is relevant.

Residency: you lived most of your life in Botswana but only 5 years in Oz - you are joking mate, go away (mind you, you can complain - often successfully - about impolite responses, even though you are basically an opportunistic fraud - we are very PC here).

All repeat all knockbacks can be 'appealed', meaning certain experts take you even more seriously than you take yourself!

People float here on leaky boats just for the welfare system. It's a wondrous thing.

Now it's 3.15am. G'night.

Here you go

[afarang]

If you want to know about eligibility requirements re: old age pensions, please read my posts(afarang) numbers 465,468,473,474. Guaranteed , there is no way you can apply for the pension WITHOUT returning to Oz..if living in Thailand. and facing the 2 out of 5 problem

[scorecard]

Off the main point of the thread, but I wonder how many other Vietnam Veterans from Australia feel deserted by the current policies of the Australian government (both current and of course for many years before).

In contrast, American veterans seem to be entitled to substantial welfare forever, and it seems regardless of their current location.

Just wondering what others think.

[fishhooks]

scorecard

With due respect, you are tending to swing the topic a bit to the side regarding Vet affairs. I haven't searched but I'm sure there is a lot of discussion about this on other forums and I'm just as sure it is very well justified.

I too served my "Natio" was a tad late in the intakes and didn't go O/S, but there seems to be enough hurdles with getting and hanging on to this bloody pension to keep the main flavour as it is with the topic. It's been running a long time and has been viewed to a huge extent over a long time. I really want to concentrate on this thread for advice and tips from others who have gone through or going through this actual process. No offence intended in any way.

I'm without doubt a definite resident, but take a lot of trips to Thailand and my suspicious mind tells me that I may face some hassles when I apply. Even though I've been assured if I fail on the first attempt, that I'll eventually get through.

BTW: The guy that came on here, supposedly from C/L a fair while back, must have certainly been squashed, either that or the questions to him just got too difficult!

[sceadugenga]

Jessi " NEXT on the list is Old Age Pensions."

From where do you glean this information ,? or are you trying a little scaremongering?

Those of us long term expats who receive our OA pensions into local bank accounts are listed at Centrelink as overseas recipients ,do you really think a government is going to suddenly change the rules and uproot us from our families. not likely.

The rules regarding OAP are quite explicit with the residency requirement being the only bone of contention whereas the disability support pension is open to rorting on a grand scale.

Maybe Centrelink should have two grades of DSP ,one being classed as permanently disabled and another being capable with treatment and retraining to re-enter the work force.

I'm not sure what "rorting on a grand scale" consists of, but acknowledge the Howard government granted the DSP to everybody with a bad cold as long as they were over 50. This then enabled them to claim they had reduced the unemployment figures.

I'm all for younger people being offered retraining and help in getting back to work but lets face it, if you're pushing 60 or over and been out of the work force for ten years your chances of any job are remote.

So what does it matter where these people live?

The DSP has now got harder to get, I had to reapply last year after a row with Centrelink over residency and as well as medical examinations was assessed by a private firm as to my suitability for retraining. (They would then have been responsible for my retraining programs so it was in their interests to rubber stamp me through).

The legislation that changes at the beginning of 2011 must not be allowed to pass unchallenged, DSP recipients living in Asia have families and children as well. Currently they have been able to cope with a 13 weekly return to Australia but if their residency is at risk they will have to relocate to Australian and no doubt will want to take wives and kids back, human nature being what it is.

Work out what THAT will cost the government.

[fishhooks]

Are there too many variables or is it easy to say what is the difference, dollar wise, between being paid a Disability Pension vs the OAP?

Someone told me a few weeks back that if you are on a Disability Pension prior to 65, C/L change you to the OAP if the disability is not considered to be too serious, not requiring a lot of significant medical attention in the future!

[ozzydom]

Are there too many variables or is it easy to say what is the difference, dollar wise, between being paid a Disability Pension vs the OAP?

Someone told me a few weeks back that if you are on a Disability Pension prior to 65, C/L change you to the OAP if the disability is not considered to be too serious, not requiring a lot of significant medical attention in the future!

I was changed onto OAP on my 65th birthday,at the same time they told me I had been placed on the overseas recipients register and that my pension would from then on be paid monthly.At about the same time they sent me the paperwork to have my pension paid into my local bank.

[afarang]

Are there too many variables or is it easy to say what is the difference, dollar wise, between being paid a Disability Pension vs the OAP?

Someone told me a few weeks back that if you are on a Disability Pension prior to 65, C/L change you to the OAP if the disability is not considered to be too serious, not requiring a lot of significant medical attention in the future!

I was changed onto OAP on my 65th birthday,at the same time they told me I had been placed on the overseas recipients register and that my pension would from then on be paid monthly.At about the same time they sent me the paperwork to have my pension paid into my local bank.

Australian or Thai local bank?

[ozzydom]

Are there too many variables or is it easy to say what is the difference, dollar wise, between being paid a Disability Pension vs the OAP?

Someone told me a few weeks back that if you are on a Disability Pension prior to 65, C/L change you to the OAP if the disability is not considered to be too serious, not requiring a lot of significant medical attention in the future!

I was changed onto OAP on my 65th birthday,at the same time they told me I had been placed on the overseas recipients register and that my pension would from then on be paid monthly.At about the same time they sent me the paperwork to have my pension paid into my local bank.

Australian or Thai local bank?

Thai

[afarang]

Are there too many variables or is it easy to say what is the difference, dollar wise, between being paid a Disability Pension vs the OAP?

Someone told me a few weeks back that if you are on a Disability Pension prior to 65, C/L change you to the OAP if the disability is not considered to be too serious, not requiring a lot of significant medical attention in the future!

I was changed onto OAP on my 65th birthday,at the same time they told me I had been placed on the overseas recipients register and that my pension would from then on be paid monthly.At about the same time they sent me the paperwork to have my pension paid into my local bank.

Australian or Thai local bank?

Thai

When was this? In 2005 ,when my pension was approved, C.L were adamant that they would only pay into an Aust. bank account. Point blank refused to allow me the option.

[fishhooks]

ozzyd: Is there any difference, dollar wise, between the Disability and OAP, or does it vary a bit depending on the Disability?

[ozzydom]

ozzyd: Is there any difference, dollar wise, between the Disability and OAP, or does it vary a bit depending on the Disability?

The basic rates are the same,but I do know a chap in Cambo who gets a lower amount ,he says ,because they deem him able to work a limited amount of hours pr fortnight.

If your disability is the result of an accident and there is a subsequent settlement from say a motor vehicle accident or work insurance claim then any pension recieved is reimbursed to Centrelink from the settlement.

[harrry]

Are there too many variables or is it easy to say what is the difference, dollar wise, between being paid a Disability Pension vs the OAP?

Someone told me a few weeks back that if you are on a Disability Pension prior to 65, C/L change you to the OAP if the disability is not considered to be too serious, not requiring a lot of significant medical attention in the future!

You are automatically changed to the OP at 65 unless you request nt to.

If you are studying or working there are some allowances that are available under the DSP that are not available on the OAP.

Note it is a one way change...once you go to the OP you cannot go back. I did not immediaely change because I was studying and they were very specific that it was up to me to change but once I did it was not reversible.

[ozzydom]

I was changed onto OAP on my 65th birthday,at the same time they told me I had been placed on the overseas recipients register and that my pension would from then on be paid monthly.At about the same time they sent me the paperwork to have my pension paid into my local bank.

Australian or Thai local bank?

Thai

When was this? In 2005 ,when my pension was approved, C.L were adamant that they would only pay into an Aust. bank account. Point blank refused to allow me the option.

2004,I dealt with C/L International office in Hobart. (maybe being a fellow Tasmanian carries some brownie points )

[afarang]

ozzydom, Thank you very much for that. I am wondering ,if they changed the rules, like the 2 out of 5 .My pension was approved in November 2005. . It was not until my pension was approved , that I was told , by Hobart, of the new rule. I saw about 7 people in Fitzroy and about 6 in Melton, Victoria. ALL told me to wait until My first payment was paid into my bank, and then I could immediately return to Thailand. The person, at Melton ,who took the call from Hobart, to tell me of approval,was astonished to be told that I would have to spend 2 years in Oz, before portability kicked in. In other words ,there may be many things that C.L. staff do not know.But it was Hobart who informed me of the "Pay into bank " rule. Might I add, I tried to speak to Hobart ,whilst at C.L. Melton, but was refused. All communication came through the C.L. officer I was seated opposite