Australian Aged Pension

[OZEMADE]

New Info from Centrelink

Changes to Australian pension rules for people leaving Australia after 1 July 2014

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What you must tell us and how to contact us (FREE CALL)

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A list of free call numbers is very helpful to a person with a hearing disability, and as for sending a Fax, ? weren't the made obsolete with carrier pigeons.

A free call number is exactly that a free call number and

I feel that a person with a hearing disability, would have a friend that could act on his behalf to ask questions and get the answers he wants.

As for the FAX, it is also a FREE number, it is used mainly for documents that must be signed and faxed.

Not all persons have a computer and scanner, in fact a lot of pensioners or persons living overseas have no idea of how to use a computer or scanner.

I posted the info here to help a lot of Australians that want the info and these are original documents that I posted from Centrelink.

If all you can do is criticise

and not have any constructive to say

keep your nose out if it doesn't concern you.

If it does concern you, ask a friend to assist you, as I stated earlier and highlighted.

So while I'm on holiday in Pattaya am I [ and others ] to bring a friend with me or would you expect me to walk into a bar and find one that could act on my behalf and ask c/link the questions ???

As for fax machines, ? yea, they are also in every bar.

.OZEMAD for someone who has been here for so long and you being a platinum member, I would have expected better advice than that. and not accuse me of criticising, when you are doing the exact same thing. As for keeping my nose out of it, if it does not concern me ???? are you talking about.

All I can really say is that you should have sorted your problem, if any with Centrelink before you came on holidays. (Would not need a friend)

As for Fax machines, they are at all the Post Offices, Western Union offices, Big C on Centre Rd, most of the hotels, to mention a few.

I would have to agree, that if you really expected to find a Fax machine in a bar, you would be joking of course.

As for finding someone to help you if you have a hearing disability, I am sure if you asked some one to PM you on this forum they would help, or go to an Aussie Bar and ask for help.

Get off your arse, get out of the bar you keep referring to, do something for yourself mate, stop winging.

[eight]

It's so much easier for people to attack the messenger, rather than discuss the problem, so I will get back to raising the problem in my original post. That is, of all the ''Freecall '' numbers listed by c/link they are of no help to people overseas with hearing disability. I am not only talking about Thailand but '' Freecall '' numbers c/link list for all around the world...

Keep in mind that the '' problem'' is always the ''result '', and the remedy is fixing the '' cause '' of the problem.

To me that means c/link should also have a '' contact us by e/mail '', which is what most business do these days. The reason they will not do that is, you will have a record of what is said, time , date and who received the message. Making contact with c/link by phone you have no proof of what was said , and you probably only have the first name of the person you spoke to , but in which department in which city.

As for free fax calls , I doubt they exist in most parts of the world as most business have fax machines to make money. When I'm in Vietnam next month , I must ask if I can make a freecall / fax to c/link and see what reaction I get .

OZMADE ,,. get back to discussing topics and stop being a cyber bully attacking people from behind a keyboard.

Edited January 1, 2015 by eight

[on the run]

hi all,i need some genuine help, I am a kiwi,lived and worked in oz for 3.5 years until I turned 65,and applied for the pension, part paid by n.z and part by centrelink, I have been living in Thailand for the last 26 weeks. I have made contact with centre link explaining that Thailand is now my home and wish to stay here,there answer was that my pension would be stopped,my question is,that if I return to oz will I keep my pension,and can I just fly in and fly out again.i hope someone has the answer?.

[bluewoody552]

Centrelink 'Eligibility' states:

To be eligible for Age Pension you must satisfy residence requirements. You must be:

• an Australian resident^[8] on the day you lodge your claim, and
• be physically present in Australia on the day you lodge your claim

You also need to have been an Australian resident for a continuous period of at least 10 years, or for a number of periods that total more than ten years, with one of the periods being at least five years, unless you:

• are a refugee or former refugee, or
• were getting Partner Allowance, Widow Allowance or Widow B Pension immediately before turning Age Pension age, or
• are a woman whose partner died while you were both Australian residents, and you have been an Australian resident for two years immediately before claiming Age Pension

Has the members from Australia's experience been that:

You can be living out of Australia for say 2 years then return to Australia and apply for the Aged Pension?

(you can start the application up to 13 weeks prior to turning 65).

[bluewoody552]

hi all,i need some genuine help, I am a kiwi,lived and worked in oz for 3.5 years until I turned 65,and applied for the pension, part paid by n.z and part by centrelink, I have been living in Thailand for the last 26 weeks. I have made contact with centre link explaining that Thailand is now my home and wish to stay here,there answer was that my pension would be stopped,my question is,that if I return to oz will I keep my pension,and can I just fly in and fly out again.i hope someone has the answer?.

good question and i would seriously also like the answer to this one

[simple1]

Has the members from Australia's experience been that:

You can be living out of Australia for say 2 years then return to Australia and apply for the Aged Pension?

(you can start the application up to 13 weeks prior to turning 65).

Yes, I did exactly that, so long as you meet Australian resident criteria. Returned to Oz from Thailand and applied for Oz Aged Pension 13 weeks prior to reaching age 65. Currently on full aged pension for a married man. If I return to Thailand two years after being granted Aged Pension, will drop down by the pro rata amount as do not have 35 year 'working life residence" in Oz.

Edited January 11, 2015 by simple1

[moojar]

Has the members from Australia's experience been that:

You can be living out of Australia for say 2 years then return to Australia and apply for the Aged Pension?

(you can start the application up to 13 weeks prior to turning 65).

Yes, I did exactly that, so long as you meet Australian resident criteria. Returned to Oz from Thailand and applied for Oz Aged Pension 13 weeks prior to reaching age 65. Currently on full aged pension for a married man. If I return to Thailand two years after being granted Aged Pension, will drop down by the pro rata amount as do not have 35 year 'working life residence" in Oz.

Hi simple1, I wonder could you clarify that for me please.

"... so long as you meet Australian resident criteria. Returned to Oz from Thailand and applied for Oz Aged Pension 13 weeks prior to reaching age 65. "

- were you continuously out of Oz for the two years prior to this?

- were you deemed to be a resident at the time of your application?

- if 'yes' and 'yes', how did you convince them you were still a resident?

"Currently on full aged pension for a married man. If I return to Thailand two years after being granted Aged Pension, will drop down by the pro rata amount as do not have 35 year 'working life residence" in Oz."

- are you 'serving' a two years 'must stay in Oz' period are you? Why is this necessary if you satisfied the residency requirements at time of application?

Thanks a lot.

Edit: spelling

Edited January 12, 2015 by moojar

[simple1]

Has the members from Australia's experience been that:

You can be living out of Australia for say 2 years then return to Australia and apply for the Aged Pension?

(you can start the application up to 13 weeks prior to turning 65).

Yes, I did exactly that, so long as you meet Australian resident criteria. Returned to Oz from Thailand and applied for Oz Aged Pension 13 weeks prior to reaching age 65. Currently on full aged pension for a married man. If I return to Thailand two years after being granted Aged Pension, will drop down by the pro rata amount as do not have 35 year 'working life residence" in Oz.

Hi simple1, I wonder could you clarify that for me please.

"... so long as you meet Australian resident criteria. Returned to Oz from Thailand and applied for Oz Aged Pension 13 weeks prior to reaching age 65. "

- were you continuously out of Oz for the two years prior to this?

- were you deemed to be a resident at the time of your application?

- if 'yes' and 'yes', how did you convince them you were still a resident?

"Currently on full aged pension for a married man. If I return to Thailand two years after being granted Aged Pension, will drop down by the pro rata amount as do not have 35 year 'working life residence" in Oz."

- are you 'serving' a two years 'must stay in Oz' period are you? Why is this necessary if you satisfied the residency requirements at time of application?

Thanks a lot.

Edit: spelling

- were you continuously out of Oz for the two years prior to this? - Yes

- were you deemed to be a resident at the time of your application? - Yes

- if 'yes' and 'yes', how did you convince them you were still a resident? - Week after returning to Oz applied for and was granted Newstart; some weeks later then applied for Aged Pension, so in effect a "role over" process. NB: Had to go though a fairly lengthy phone Q&A session on financial and physical assets in Oz & Thailand. Required to provide hard copy of Oz property rental agreement, Super account, Oz bank account, driving license etc etc; in other words met the Oz resident doco requirements. No assets in Thailand.

are you 'serving' a two years 'must stay in Oz' period are you? - Yes

Why is this necessary if you satisfied the residency requirements at time of application? - From Oz govt website "If you have returned to live in Australia within the last 2 years and you have started receiving Age Pension during this period then you will not be paid for any departures until the 2 year waiting period has passed"

Full info at:

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/centrelink/age-pension/age-pension-while-travelling-outside-australia

Edited January 12, 2015 by simple1

[Evilbaz]

One is the issue of Centrelink's residency requirements.

The other is the issue of foreign portability of your pension - where the "2 years before or 2 years after" rule applies.

Edited January 12, 2015 by Evilbaz

[moojar]

<snip>

are you 'serving' a two years 'must stay in Oz' period are you? - Yes

Why is this necessary if you satisfied the residency requirements at time of application? - From Oz govt website "If you have returned to live in Australia within the last 2 years and you have started receiving Age Pension during this period then you will not be paid for any departures until the 2 year waiting period has passed"

Full info at:

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/centrelink/age-pension/age-pension-while-travelling-outside-australia

Thanks for that simple1, and Evilbaz.

It's that "2 years before or 2 years after" rule I am trying to get a handle on. You'd think if you are 'resident' when you are first granted OAP then off you go, no two years required - just like anyone else living in Oz. I thought the two-years-after was to re-establish your residency status.

I suspect / hope you were not 'resident' when you applied for the OAP simple1. Eligible yes, resident no. A citizen but not a resident.

I am still working (full time in Oz), won't retire for another five years and it's another ten years after that before I reach OAP age - 68.5 for me if the latest proposals are made into law. I am trying to find out how to avoid both "2 years before" AND "2 years after". That is, what do I need to do to maintain my residency. I plan to spend two or three months a year in Oz anyway, will still own a home and a car, have kids here and no doubt grand-kids by then. I hope that is enough. Time is too precious at that stage of life to spend two years 'in gaol' begging for a pension. By then I wouldn't be surprised if pensioners aren't made to wash Liberal voters' cars and be on stand-by to light their cigars to prove their worth, and you won't get a pension just food vouchers and an official begging bowl.

I suspect a phone call to those C/L international fellows in Tassie will be in order in five or ten years, go straight to the source.

Cheers.

[thaitakeaway]

hi all,i need some genuine help, I am a kiwi,lived and worked in oz for 3.5 years until I turned 65,and applied for the pension, part paid by n.z and part by centrelink, I have been living in Thailand for the last 26 weeks. I have made contact with centre link explaining that Thailand is now my home and wish to stay here,there answer was that my pension would be stopped,my question is,that if I return to oz will I keep my pension,and can I just fly in and fly out again.i hope someone has the answer?.

[since nobody's replied in the last couple of weeks I'll have a crack.]

Your C/Link contact was wrong. According to their own rules, after 26 weeks away you would qualify for the princely sum of 12% (3/25ths) of the normal rate, assuming you had left before July 1 last year.

Flying back to Oz should put you back at the normal rate for the ensuing 26 weeks, most of which could be again spent back in LOS. But doing this every 6 months sounds like a good way to burn cash.

A more effective long term solution would be to return to NZ for a bit (say 3-6 months) and immediately rejig your pension through them instead. Once approved tell them you're moving permanently to Thailand, and you'll be paid 92% of the single sharing rate of the NZ pension without the 26 week rule affecting you.

Hope this helps. Of course I'm not a retirement advisor ;-). Like you, my recently approved OAP has Oz and NZ contributions, and I spent only 1st 3 months in Thailand.

Sources:

Australia: http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/centrelink/age-pension/age-pension-while-travelling-outside-australia

NZ: http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/individuals/how-we-can-help-you/travelling-or-migrating/pension-going-overseas/residing-in-any-other-country.html

[mickjn]

Just work and go to LOS 2 times a year for a month then go back home to Australia.Wait until you are pension age.In my case I didn't apply for the pension as I was on Disability for years they just send my out form to fill in go change from Disability to OAP.I tried to fill in out but had a bit of trouble so I went to Centrelink and saw the guy there.I told him I wanted to go on the OAP he said ok and helped me fill in the forms.He said you will have no worries changing over but I did.I was called in for an interview and it was terrible.They asked questions about my finances and my being out of the country.In the end they got it sorted and I got my pension

The easiest way for me is to fly in and out every 24 weeks to see the doctor and specialist and fill the suitcase up with medicine that I cannot get or is very expensive in Thailand.The specialist said he will give me enough medicine on the PBS for 12 months but I him at the moment I did mind coming back twice a year and getting the full pension.

Well Australia day today,I wish all you guys all the very best.48 weeks in LOS 4 weeks in Australia.They give me cheap medicine,and when I reach the limit I get it free,I see the doctor for nothing,I even see the specialist free in the public hospital but I am in and out in 30 minutes and I send him an email when I am coming home and he fits me in.What a great system,if I shit my pants in Australia I would ring the doc and she would send someone around to help me. These days they do know every move you are going to make,you used to be able to get away with a bit but not now.Happy Australia Day my friends all the best I think they say Chok Dee Khrap in LOS,the old girl tried to teach meThai but gave up she reckons I am a dumbo,but she says she still likes me

[louse1953]

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Hi all

A question re the two years leading up to turning 65. I returned to OZ with two and a half years before turning 65 next year.

I have been to Thailand on a couple of holidays of about 2 weeks each over the last year.

I work in OZ now and plan on claiming the aged pension next year when I turn 65.

I will qualify for the aged pension but have concerns about portability of the oap.

Does my time on holiday impact on my resident status leading up to 65 or not? Just a bit worried!!

Maybe someone out there has had a similar dilemna.

I had several short holidays in the two years prior to turning 65, didn't impact on my pension portability at all.

Thanks Giddyup - thought that was the case. I had heard that if you choose to come back to OZ at 65, get the aged pension and apply for portability.

Then you are not allowed to leave Australia for the 2 years while you wait for portability - not even short holidays.

If you do, then your two years to portability start again on your return. Can anyone confirm this?

Yes that is true,all depends if a pen pusher decides if you are a resident or not.Going back next week to sort all this out,even though i have a few years to go.

[louse1953]

Hi,

With regard to the requirement to stay in Australia for 2 years after being approved for the Old age pension for those who have lived outside Australia prior to applying , can anyone tell me if that requirement is actually spelt out specifically in the pension approval advice letter?

Or is it necessary to check with CI to find out if the 2 years applies?

Thanks.

The 2 year waiting period isn't specific to the aged pension, the qualification period applies to all claims made through Human Services. The only difference with aged pension is that you can leave after satisfying the waiting period (with penalties if you're under working life limits). The two years can be accrued before, after or a combination of both.

It all hinges on whether they consider you a resident when you apply.

[louse1953]

Mmmmmmm! all these overseas investigations and the staff to man it, must be costing Centre Link millions. i wonder how much they are able to "claw" back, and if the whole exercise is really worth while.

What is the point of having us old codgers clogging up the system,hospitals etc.,and pay us more for 2 years.It's a cruel joke.

[bazza40]

I'm thinking we retired expats actually save the Australian government significant money from living overseas e.g. pension supplements, rent assistance etc.

With that in mind, I wrote to my Federal MP asking for quantitative information on cost savings, also the administrative costs to departmental budgets arising from the various rules they have in place for overseas retirees.

Even if I don't get a meaningful response, I may succeed in giving some public servants a good migraine.

[simple1]

Not sure if this info has been posted elsewhere on TV, but could have considerable impact for those who in effect commute between Oz and Thailand for extended periods of time.

Age Pension recipients who have spent less than 35 years in Australia between ages 16 and 65 begin to receive a reduced payment rate once they have been out of Australia for more than 26 weeks. In legislation introduced to Parliament on 4^th June 2015 this period is proposed to be reduced to 2 weeks proposed from 1 January 2017.

[harrry]

Portability changes will only affect recent and future recipients of the DSP. They will face tougher work related requirements and restrictions.

To people worried about how their overseas travel will affect their application for the Old Age Pension I say, read the law, not the "rules".

The Social Security Act and all it's current amendments is easily available online.

Residency and DSP travellers is currently being tested in the Commonwealth government appeals tribunals, once again the law and the "rules" are showing to be in conflict.

I hate to bring up old words on someone I respect for the work they did giving good information but I cannot resist this.

As I thought things are now worse with people like me who though grandfathered if I return to Australia for more than a short period or need Medical Treatment and have to rejoin Medicair to do so now lose that granfathering and must stay for another two years in Australia or unless the leaving is short lose their benifit.

[sceadugenga]

That's an interesting comment harrry.

There's certainly been a lot of water passed under the bridge since 2011, with the opportunity for severely disabled pensioners with no future work capacity to apply for unlimited portability.

As an Age pensioner I would make sure that my Australian Medicare membership did not expire, it seems to be portable for 5 years so it would only require one trip in that period.

You seem fairly certain that reapplying for Medicare would cost you portability of the Age pension, I would be curious to see some examples or case law on that.

[harrry]

That's an interesting comment harrry.

There's certainly been a lot of water passed under the bridge since 2011, with the opportunity for severely disabled pensioners with no future work capacity to apply for unlimited portability.

As an Age pensioner I would make sure that my Australian Medicare membership did not expire, it seems to be portable for 5 years so it would only require one trip in that period.

You seem fairly certain that reapplying for Medicare would cost you portability of the Age pension, I would be curious to see some examples or case law on that.

Now Centrelink is managing Medicare it goes on residency like the other stuff.

They actually have waiting periods for you to apply after return.

Some very nasty stuff. Unlikey I return though. If I have to they will have little choice but to spend a lot on me by putting me straight in hospital as I need someone to care and oxygen etc.

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/spw/customer/publications/resources/int001/int001-1504en2.pdf may interest someone

and especiall this

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/spw/customer/publications/resources/int001/int001-1410.pdf

Edited June 24, 2015 by harrry

[nev]

Anyone can tell me what the criteria is for a full year towards the 35 years for a full pension. Reason I ask is I was self employed and some years with magical accounting I hardly paid tax, and other years due to travelling or no work put in a very small income.

[Evilbaz]

From the link above:

" Resident in Australia for 35 years after age 16,"

No requirement to be working or paying tax.

However, Centrelink have their own rules regarding what constitutes residency - basically "Up to them".

[Evilbaz]

Any more info on this?

That's a worry!

Now Centrelink is managing Medicare it goes on residency like the other stuff.

[nev]

From the link above:

" Resident in Australia for 35 years after age 16,"

No requirement to be working or paying tax.

However, Centrelink have their own rules regarding what constitutes residency - basically "Up to them".

Thanks for that, I was wondering also about those on the dole getting a full pension, so just being a resident is enough for them.

[harrry]

Anyone can tell me what the criteria is for a full year towards the 35 years for a full pension. Reason I ask is I was self employed and some years with magical accounting I hardly paid tax, and other years due to travelling or no work put in a very small income.

Not related to working or tax. To being a resident of Australia...kiving in.

[nev]

Anyone can tell me what the criteria is for a full year towards the 35 years for a full pension. Reason I ask is I was self employed and some years with magical accounting I hardly paid tax, and other years due to travelling or no work put in a very small income.

Not related to working or tax. To being a resident of Australia...kiving in.

Thanks for that Harry, just say you go back and too to Thailand I used to work 2 months and then 1 month in Thailand, also other times just come for 3 months and then back for work, I know my last two years will not count as I have been living here in Thailand.

[harrry]

Anyone can tell me what the criteria is for a full year towards the 35 years for a full pension. Reason I ask is I was self employed and some years with magical accounting I hardly paid tax, and other years due to travelling or no work put in a very small income.

Not related to working or tax. To being a resident of Australia...kiving in.

Thanks for that Harry, just say you go back and too to Thailand I used to work 2 months and then 1 month in Thailand, also other times just come for 3 months and then back for work, I know my last two years will not count as I have been living here in Thailand.

The last 2 matter the most.

My guess is unless you have mde yourself a non resident of Australia in some way such as tax before that they will have to have considered you a resident. But who knows,.

[simple1]

That's an interesting comment harrry.

There's certainly been a lot of water passed under the bridge since 2011, with the opportunity for severely disabled pensioners with no future work capacity to apply for unlimited portability.

As an Age pensioner I would make sure that my Australian Medicare membership did not expire, it seems to be portable for 5 years so it would only require one trip in that period.

You seem fairly certain that reapplying for Medicare would cost you portability of the Age pension, I would be curious to see some examples or case law on that.

Now Centrelink is managing Medicare it goes on residency like the other stuff.

They actually have waiting periods for you to apply after return.

Some very nasty stuff. Unlikey I return though. If I have to they will have little choice but to spend a lot on me by putting me straight in hospital as I need someone to care and oxygen etc.

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/spw/customer/publications/resources/int001/int001-1504en2.pdf may interest someone

and especiall this

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/spw/customer/publications/resources/int001/int001-1410.pdf

Centrelink does not 'manage' Medicare. Although they have merged under the Human Services umbrella, they have separate functions and expenditure budgets.

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/corporate/about-us/

Edited June 24, 2015 by simple1

[simple1]

Anyone can tell me what the criteria is for a full year towards the 35 years for a full pension. Reason I ask is I was self employed and some years with magical accounting I hardly paid tax, and other years due to travelling or no work put in a very small income.

Not related to working or tax. To being a resident of Australia...kiving in.

Thanks for that Harry, just say you go back and too to Thailand I used to work 2 months and then 1 month in Thailand, also other times just come for 3 months and then back for work, I know my last two years will not count as I have been living here in Thailand.

Just as a bit of detail if you do not meet the full 35 year Working Life residency requirement for a full Age Pension, but fulfill the basic criteria, your Age Pension Portability is calculated upon the number of months resident in Oz. Although Centrelink have access to the Immigration and Border Control data you are still required to submit your full 'movement record' during the Age Pension application process.

http://www.immi.gov.au/forms/Documents/1359.pdf

Due to the time lapse, to computerise all movement records you may also be required to obtain addition data from:

http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/fact-sheets/fs227.aspx

Edited June 24, 2015 by simple1

[scorecard]

Born in Australia, worked in Australia from 17 to 45 years old and paid tax all that time. Now living in Thailand with adult Thai son and his family.

Re: gaining the Australian old age pension.

From a lot of literature search one thing that's clear - have to physically be in Australia on the date of applying.

In terms of means test I'm under the point where OA pension would be denied or reduced.

From there, seems to be two 'possibilities':

- No chance at all because not resident.

- Can get it but at a reduced rate.

I've searched for the application form but I can't seem to find it.

My question is about taxation - Does the OAP applicant have to:

- Provide a personal Australian taxation number?

- Provide up to date and finalized yearly taxation returns up to now?

- Provide proof that taxation was paid during the period (in my case) 17 to 45 years old?