Uk Pension

[lincdales]

Hi,

I have been in Thailand on a tourist visa since December 2008 and drawing a UK pension. I received an increase in April 2009. My forwarding address was to my brother in the UK and, following a query from the pension guys he told them I was living permanently in Thailand. It now appears that they paid heating allowance into my bank account for the winters of 08/09 and 09/10. Now all weekly payments into my account have been stopped. I assume that will continue until they have recovered the payments for heating allowance. I accept that. But, since Thailand does not allow farangs residency, is my pension still frozen from the time I left the UK? bearing in mind I am only classed as a tourist.

[beano2274]

Living Permanently in Thailand on a tourist visa?

Thailand allows residency to Farangs as well.

Pensions from the UK can be paid into a Thai Bank, check other posts. They will continue to withhold payments until they are aware of your true location. Inform them you are here and get it sorted quickly, remember no increases to UK pensions for those who live in Thailand, so if it is increased in the UK, you get zilch.

Edited January 2, 2010 by beano2274

[Lite Beer]

Once you leave the UK it is frozen if you do not move to certain countries.

Thailand is not one of them.

[thaimate]

Nice helpfull brother---not.

[dumball]

Nice helpfull brother---not.

I thought all the posts were helpfull in their own way , you have a problem ? where is your helpfull input , as you so nicely put it , NOT , whatever that is supposed to mean .

[sinbin]

Aren't the European Courts going to announce, this month, on whether the UK is acting illegally in freezing your pension once you've been out of the country for 183 days ? It's only after 183 days of leaving the UK that you are classed as Non Resident.

[Penkoprod]

Aren't the European Courts going to announce, this month, on whether the UK is acting illegally in freezing your pension once you've been out of the country for 183 days ? It's only after 183 days of leaving the UK that you are classed as Non Resident.

The background to this is that the European Courts are going to give a FINAL ruling on a case. where an expat, now living in South Africa, took the UK government to task over its policy of freezing pension rights for people living in certain countries. These tend to be mainly, though not exclusively non EC or ex Commonwealth countries.

Word is that the government will WIN the case when its announced. Estimates are that it will be announced sometime in April this year

Penkoprod

**edit**

A quick search of google THIS up which should fill all in on the case. Its beem ongoing for a while, it seems

Edited January 2, 2010 by Penkoprod