Oap In Thailand?

[winnedge]

Hi. I have been reading through the posts on this forum and I would appreciate some confirmation on a few details. I am married. an Australia Citizen and have been living in Australia for 37 years. My husband is Australian. Currently he is a disabled pensioner due to a severe illness a couple of years ago and probably will never work again he is turning 65 in a couple of years. I am 4 years younger and also on a Disability pension and again doubt if my health could improve much at all. We understand the assets and liability criteria as it stands at the moment and can qualify on that basis. We would like to retire to Thailand in a couple of years as the pension is not really viable the way costs are rising at the moment in Australia! When I researched the Centrelink Website it clearly states that they will not pay pensions to Australians overseas unless they reside in specific countries with which they have an internationa agreement. Thailand is not on that list. Yet there are people on this forum who are receiving the OAP (and indeed the DSP) so now I am a little confused. I know that a lot of the forum members are already in Thailand and the discussion centres around eligibility and returning to Australia for a couple of years, but we are already here and would like to know if it is possible to move there eventually and still receive the Pension. I would appreciate if someone could clarify this question for me. Thanks in Anticipation .....

[Old Croc]

Look at the pinned thread above your post and start reading.

Link here:

My link

[afarang]

Absolutely. As you fulfill all the requirements to qualify, you will have no problems getting the pension. Your pension may or may not be portable from the day it is granted.Because, there is a demand that you must have spent 2 out of the last 5 years as a permanent resident, in Oz. At the time of applying.That may have an effect on you. I suggest you contact Centrelink, soon to discuss whether you will be affected by the 2 out 5 rule.C.L will not grant a pension to anyone who is not resident ,in Oz, at the time of application. The exception you are referring to is for a few countries, where those citizens are allowed dual nationality, like Italy ,Greece for example.This rule does not apply to you. If you would like to read more, see my posts numbers465,468,473,474, here on Thai Visa, forum topic :: Visas and migration to other countries. Click on that, then click on Australian age pension .Then go to page 19. You will find my first post, number 465 on that page.I have the oap, and am living permanently in Thailand. But I had a lot of problems getting it, which you will not have. Good Luck, Bill

[7by7]

Look at the pinned thread above your post and start reading.

Link here:

My link

Indeed, that (lengthy) topic should tell you what you need to know, if not please post any questions in that topic to avoid duplication; thanks.

Also to avoid duplication, I'm closing this one.