Frozen Uk Pension

[jori]

Amazed to see so many at the first meeting,supposed it is in everyones interest though to try and get things moving to get the freezing overturned,sure hurts the pocket to have a diminishing pension. Not quite in the boat myself yet but hopefully I'll get there.

One suggestion there that did stand out and that was to picket the UK embassies,in co-ordination with others around the world on a one day of action basis. Banners and boards,fronted by the oldest and frailest members,those with the smallest pensions with a good tale to tell for the reporters.

Just banging heads against the wall forever writing to MPs etc and is pointless. The UK govt would not like to be embarrassed in this fashion from South Africa ,Canada, Australia, NZ and so on on a day of protest with more threatened. Would guarantee a success I'm sure.

Shame to let this post be relegated to whatever section it is destined for,but unless action is co ordinated nobody is going to get anywhere.

[PattayaParent]

I'm guessing Penkoprod didn't attend?

[Eff1n2ret]

How many of those who turned up are registered to vote in the UK? If all expats bothered to do this, you have the makings of a significant lobby. Without the vote, and the legal challenge already dismissed, they can ignore you till kingdom come.

[PattayaParent]

^It's not necessarily how many registered voters turned up but how many registered voters do you know back in UK that would support the idea.

Many people living overseas do not register to vote in UK because they have no intention of ever going back to UK, others may be aware of the IHT implications of registering to vote.

But by netwroking your contacts a non-registered expat may be able to influence a significant number of registered voters.

[jori]

This is not about voting rights,but people who have paid into the pot for 40 odd years and are being treated unfairly. The mentioned method in first post is the best way forward,the UK govt would definately not like to be exposed to such action,and would inspire further action.

[Eff1n2ret]

This is not about voting rights,but people who have paid into the pot for 40 odd years and are being treated unfairly. The mentioned method in first post is the best way forward,the UK govt would definately not like to be exposed to such action,and would inspire further action.

I don't want to take up Penkoprod's mantle, and I don't dispute the unfairness of it - I can't get my head round the relevance of "reciprocal agreements" with certain countries, the Philippines Government won't be paying the increases to UK pensioners there will they?

But I honestly believe that at a time when the pensionable age is being pushed up, government expenditure and benefits are being are being slashed and the whole UK is in for a prolonged period of great economic pain, a bunch of wrinklies waving banners outside a few British Embassies is just going to look ridiculous.

As Stalin once said, "How many divisions has the Pope?" Cameron or anyone in power at the time is going to say "How many votes do we stand to lose?", and the answer will be "Not many". So it is a matter of voting rights, and those who can should ensure they hang onto theirs.

But good luck anyway.

[PattayaParent]

This is not about voting rights,but people who have paid into the pot for 40 odd years and are being treated unfairly. The mentioned method in first post is the best way forward,the UK govt would definately not like to be exposed to such action,and would inspire further action.

So you think the Thai government would happily allow a bunch of Farangs to demonstrate on the streets of Bangkok?

At least it'll solve the problem of frozen pensions once your visa is cancelled and you're returned back to UK.

[PattayaParent]

<snip>

Cameron or anyone in power at the time is going to say "How many votes do we stand to lose?", and the answer will be "Not many". So it is a matter of voting rights, and those who can should ensure they hang onto theirs.

But good luck anyway.

Sorry but I don't want voting rights in UK.

Firstly I don't live there and don't intend ever to do so again so don't see why I should be allowed to influence what happens to those people that do.

Secondly I don't want to have any tax liabilities in UK.

As I said, if you network your contacts to support a change then those 'not many' lost votes could easily become a significant number.

[easyride]

This is not about voting rights,but people who have paid into the pot for 40 odd years and are being treated unfairly. The mentioned method in first post is the best way forward,the UK govt would definately not like to be exposed to such action,and would inspire further action.

Go back to the UK and you'd get full pension increases, what was the last one? 1 or 2%

The countries mentioned by the OP all have historic ties to the UK - Thailand (to it's credit) does not.

Would Thai pensioners in the UK get automatic increases? I think not.

Nobody forced you to come here, that was your choice so enjoy it.

[Eff1n2ret]

The mentioned method in first post is the best way forward,the UK govt would definately not like to be exposed to such action,and would inspire further action.

What colour shirts will you wear?

[BIGTOE3]

This is not about voting rights,but people who have paid into the pot for 40 odd years and are being treated unfairly. The mentioned method in first post is the best way forward,the UK govt would definately not like to be exposed to such action,and would inspire further action.

Go back to the UK and you'd get full pension increases, what was the last one? 1 or 2%

The countries mentioned by the OP all have historic ties to the UK - Thailand (to it's credit) does not.

Would Thai pensioners in the UK get automatic increases? I think not.

Nobody forced you to come here, that was your choice so enjoy it.

While what you say is correct, that is not the point.

It is not correct that some members of society who have paid in to the system and who are still paying UK tax are Discriminated against because they wish to spend their Twilight years in Thailand and not Canada etc

Just my point of view

BT

[theoldgit]

It is not correct that some members of society who have paid in to the system and who are still paying UK tax are Discriminated against because they wish to spend their Twilight years in Thailand and not Canada etc

Just my point of view

Of course UK pensioners living in Canada do not receive increases whilst those in the USA do, it's just so ridiculous, a late friend of mine who lived in Canada received the great sum of 2/6 per week.

Whilst I admire the tenacity of those who wish to fight for fairness, I fear that with the UK economy in such dire straights, and with jobs and benefits being cut at an alarming rate there is a zero chance of the current government rolling over on this issue and I suspect that there would be little support for the campaign from the great British Public.

I think I posted this link before, but it may be of interest to some http://www.pension-parity-uk.com/

I really wish you well

[easyride]

This is not about voting rights,but people who have paid into the pot for 40 odd years and are being treated unfairly. The mentioned method in first post is the best way forward,the UK govt would definately not like to be exposed to such action,and would inspire further action.

Go back to the UK and you'd get full pension increases, what was the last one? 1 or 2%

The countries mentioned by the OP all have historic ties to the UK - Thailand (to it's credit) does not.

Would Thai pensioners in the UK get automatic increases? I think not.

Nobody forced you to come here, that was your choice so enjoy it.

While what you say is correct, that is not the point.

It is not correct that some members of society who have paid in to the system and who are still paying UK tax are Discriminated against because they wish to spend their Twilight years in Thailand and not Canada etc

Just my point of view

BT

Point taken, but what would you think if the UK government decided that to be 'fair' to all expats around the world that they would limit all increases to UK citizens residing in the UK? And don't think they wouldn't, for cost savings alone.

Look what happened to the retirement age (women UP to 65 rather than men DOWN to 60) and in this financial climate..................................

[jaiyenyen]

This was sent to me. I know it's not about frozen pensions, but it makes you think.

NOW YOU KNOW WHY PENSIONERS ARE UP IN ARMS

This is interesting!Are you aware of the following?

The British Govenment provides the following financial assistance: -BENEFIT

BRITISH OLD AGED PENSIONER

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS / REFUGEES LIVING IN BRITAIN

Weekly allowance

£100

£250

Weekly Spouse allowance

£25

£225

Additional weekly hardship allowance

£0;00

£100

TOTAL YEARLY BENEFIT

£6,000

£29,900

If I were a refugee, why would I look for work?

Please forward to all your contacts so that we can lobby for an increase in the aged pension.

After all, the average pensioner has paid taxes and contributed to the growth of this country

For the last 40 to 60 years.

[Spee]

This was sent to me. I know it's not about frozen pensions, but it makes you think.

It ain't no better anywhere else. For the first time in history, the US social security system took in less money than it paid out. That's the first step to bankruptcy, just like the UK pension system.

Like the great pundit PK O'Rourke once said "A little government and a little luck are necessary in life, but only a fool trusts either of them."

To my TV forum-mates from the UK, I would say if you think it's going to get better, don't hold your breath. If you want the money that is owed to you, you're going to have to fight for every shilling.