Uk State Pension

[theoldgit]

^^^^^ Yes, ONLY 42%, but prices have gone up by that amount whilst the income remains static.

[nong38]

THe increase as been stated this year is 5.2%. The rate of inflation is now falling and is expected to continue for the forseable future, probaly down to under 3 by the year end. But you need also to think of the rate here and have you noticed that the new over stickers on prices that were 20,25.30.35,40,45 etc all went up by 5 or in some cases more which is more than the uk rates. only one small example admitted noticed it in Big C food park yesterday. Fuel has gone up from 32 to 36 in about 3 weeks. When I came back in June last year I could buy a bag of coffee sachets for 79, last time 92 or 101 in Big C. The inflation rate here is rising very fast and with a frozen pension that is bound to have an effect. maaybe eat and drink more at home? We limited in what we can control and do, we just have to get on with it as best we can.

Still no one with 3+ years of annual increases here then?

[nong38]

Is it worth all the fuss just to get a small annual increase. If inflation averages 2-3% a year then you would get an extra 2-3 GBP on your pension, enough to buy one beer !!! OK over 10-20 years that would mount up but by that time you will be 80+ years old. You would be lucky to be still alive and even if you are too old to be buying beers (or anything else).

How naiive !

At a 5% rpi increase factor on 107.45 the weekly OAP would be 137.14 after 5 years. That equates to an annual increase of 1.543.88 or, say, 75,000 Baht.

I make that 150 cases of Leo and that is JUST on the increased factor. Now and tell me it is only worth a few beers.

Its not likely that RPI will be anything like the 5.2% next year so its not correct, likely, that this should be used as a base figure.

Bearing in mind that if the residency is now confirmed as 6 months in the UK and you would like to spend say 9 months here perhaps the question ought be, assuming an annual increase of lets be generous and say 4% would you be prepared to give up about £18 a month, £216 a year to live in Thailand for an extra 3 months?

There would be nothing to stop you going back for 6 or7 months to the UK and get back up to the current rate again, unless new rules appeared and they do appear almost annually. Reading the notes on time spent abroad, the reason for the question is about whether you have paid money into a foreign SS scheme, so if you have not that will not affect your UK pension so why would you mention it, the notes are there to help you.

[Kwasaki]

[The last thing I will say is that when I go back to the UK I will claiming my state pension, one of the questions is in the last 12 months have you spent any time abroad? So I will see what they are currently asking at the time but the last thing I want is to have my pension withheld when I still have 7 or 8 months here.

On the question !! So the answer would be yes, I have been travelling and been on holiday. Yes / No ??

[Johnniey]

I'd hope by the time I am a pensioner, I'll have learned the value of honesty.

By the time I'm pension age, I'll have been living here for 40 years. I suppose I'll get the one amount f.or ever - if I pay all those years that I didn't pay.

[theoldgit]

I moved to Thailand in 2007, the State Pension was then £87.30 and would have got me 6,198 Baht, it would now get me 4,234 Baht.

The current pension of about £105, would get me about 5,400 Baht.

OK, not really on topic but there but it shows that there are a lot of variables to consider, I'm just glad my Civil Service Pension is index linked here.

[Kwasaki]

Simple question to all if you are a UK pensioner how long have you been out here and continuing to get the annual increase? Any takers?

I am assuming you would be spending 6 months + of the year here.

Personally I would be very interested if there are any with 3+ years, you can initally get away with it for a short while but 3+ years? I await your news!

annual increase / Any takers etc ? Surely if you have been here for 3 years unless you have sufficient funds you would be loses out on your pension amount every month getting the money to Thailand.

I am due for my UK pension and will tell them I live in Thailand so to get my pension paid into my Thai bank free of charge.

As for annual increases if I am still living long and healther enough to a point that it bothered me I would go back to UK to regain the increases and wait until the appropriate time to return.

[Kwasaki]

I moved to Thailand in 2007, the State Pension was then £87.30 and would have got me 6,198 Baht, it would now get me 4,234 Baht.

The current pension of about £105, would get me about 5,400 Baht.

OK, not really on topic but there but it shows that there are a lot of variables to consider, I'm just glad my Civil Service Pension is index linked here.

Currencies will always play a part as well as annual increases, personally I would still bide my time into coming to a calculated decission to spend money on return flights and having to stay in the UK for 6 months.

[exeter]

Well no one seems to be owning up to 3+ years of annual increases so it looks like either they have been caught out or we are all an honest lot!

The question currently being asked according to the "Claiming your Pension Notes" askes if you have ever lived or worked abroad" In the notes it says the reason for the question is to ascertain if you have paid into a social security scheme in another country and that might affect your UK state pension. On reading that my interpretation is I have not paid into any foreign scheme therefore it will not affect my state pension ans under the current wording I would not mention anything. That does not mean to say that if I do this on the phone that there might very well be another question being asked there and who would know? I will next May and I know nothing about pensions being frozen in certain countries. Even having a look round the pension service website today there is a lot of smoke and mirrors about this and I found nothing that spelt it out apart from the bit about if you spend 6 months in the UK or reside in certain other countries you will be get the full state pension, anyone who was just looking would miss it easily and the first they would know would be when they found no incease appearing in the bank.

[cardholder]

I moved to Thailand in 2007, the State Pension was then £87.30 and would have got me 6,198 Baht, it would now get me 4,234 Baht.

The current pension of about £105, would get me about 5,400 Baht.

OK, not really on topic but there but it shows that there are a lot of variables to consider, I'm just glad my Civil Service Pension is index linked here.

Currencies will always play a part as well as annual increases, personally I would still bide my time into coming to a calculated decission to spend money on return flights and having to stay in the UK for 6 months.

I agree - life-style should drive the decision, not an an annual pension increase. I for one could not tolerate 6 months in the UK.

[theoldgit]

When I decided to move to Thailand I did so in the full knowledge that my State Pension would be frozen at the rate when I first received it, and I factored this into my caclulations. What I didn't fully factor in was the exchange rate, this meant a reduction of over 30% to me, of course I should have researched this more, the evidence is clearly there.

[cardholder]

When I decided to move to Thailand I did so in the full knowledge that my State Pension would be frozen at the rate when I first received it, and I factored this into my caclulations. What I didn't fully factor in was the exchange rate, this meant a reduction of over 30% to me, of course I should have researched this more, the evidence is clearly there.

I can't agree ToG - no way could any of us have predicted (or believed any such predictions) that the Baht would move from 70 to 46.

Had we been that smart we would now have the option of soaking up the sun in the Seychelles or, owning a small island somewhere(or even a Premiership football team!) - rather than enjoying the delights of Thailand and S.E. Asia.

[theoldgit]

No I didn't believe it, nor did anyone tell me.

When I first came to Thailand, after the crash, I got 96 Baht to my GBP, that was clearly a blip and it was never going to maintain that level.

I seem to remember somebody telling me that before the crash the exchange rate was probably in the 30/40's, I do know that on 1st January 1970 the rate was almost the same as it is now 48.87, maybe I should have given Soros a call before I moved.

But did you know that before 1880 the exchange rate was fixed at eight baht per pound, falling to 10 to the pound during the 1880s, I'm glad I didn't move here then.

I do agree with your view about how long I could tolerate being in the UK<

[Kwasaki]

When I decided to move to Thailand I did so in the full knowledge that my State Pension would be frozen at the rate when I first received it, and I factored this into my caclulations. What I didn't fully factor in was the exchange rate, this meant a reduction of over 30% to me, of course I should have researched this more, the evidence is clearly there.

Everybodys situation is different to some extent, I never saw any evidence and I am no financial wizard but planning was something I did, in as much as putting a sum aside for enventualities and it was based on 50bht to a £ around 2003 never took much notice of it going up it was just a bonus for a time.

[thequietman]

The border agency will know when you leave and re enter. I think your 6 months here and there may not be how the DWP interpret your situation, I think you will find that once they know you are here you annual increases go out of the window, When you get back you can phone and they will re instate whilst you are in the UK.

I dont know how sofisticated their systems are but either a lot people are being dropped in it by tipsters in the UK or they more advanced at spotting than previously thought.

The UKBA doesn't make any records of people exiting the UK, they only record entries.

Unless you or a neighbour tell them, and you keep a mailing address in the UK, they will never know where you are or where you went.

If anyone asks, you like staying in the Phillipines as this does not affect your pension payments.

could he possibly fly out fron Dublin and re-enter there. maybe keep him off the radar.?

[thaimate]

Read the Daily Mail ,there are thousands of illegal immegrants claiming social security ,they cant even catch them ,unless someone reports you the chances of being cought seem very slim.

[Thongkorn]

Why do people keep saying "I have paid my Taxes", we all do, i have paid my car Insurance but don't get it free for life.The point i am making is that people forget the past treatment they have had , Schools , Education, protection, Liberty. people who live abroad in hot country's should not receive winter payments,

don't be fooled they will catch you, because they are looking harder now,

[F1fanatic]

Why do people keep saying "I have paid my Taxes", we all do, i have paid my car Insurance but don't get it free for life.The point i am making is that people forget the past treatment they have had , Schools , Education, protection, Liberty. people who live abroad in hot country's should not receive winter payments,

don't be fooled they will catch you, because they are looking harder now,

Perhaps it is because having paid taxes throughout their working life and, if in receipt of a private pension, still paying tax - whilst no longer being entitled to ANY benefits - they tend to get a bit fed up about it.

Personally, I am more annoyed that we are no longer entitled to treatment under the NHS (even though still paying tax).

I do agree though that the IRS is looking far more carefully into tax dodgers now that they are desperate for the money. Except for the incredibly wealthy elite of course....

[Thongkorn]

Why do people keep saying "I have paid my Taxes", we all do, i have paid my car Insurance but don't get it free for life.The point i am making is that people forget the past treatment they have had , Schools , Education, protection, Liberty. people who live abroad in hot country's should not receive winter payments,

don't be fooled they will catch you, because they are looking harder now,

Perhaps it is because having paid taxes throughout their working life and, if in receipt of a private pension, still paying tax - whilst no longer being entitled to ANY benefits - they tend to get a bit fed up about it.

Personally, I am more annoyed that we are no longer entitled to treatment under the NHS (even though still paying tax).

I do agree though that the IRS is looking far more carefully into tax dodgers now that they are desperate for the money. Except for the incredibly wealthy elite of course....

I totally agree with what you saying, In my case i have had to pay for my Thai wife to come to England, She pays tax yet cannot claim anything, because she has not been here Iong enough, yet i have paid taxes for forty years. I cannot say any more because i have been baned off this site because i spoke my mind, its called being racist, thats where the UK goes wrong, we cannot speak out just pay taxes for people who put nothing in the system yet take every thing out.

[F1fanatic]

Why do people keep saying "I have paid my Taxes", we all do, i have paid my car Insurance but don't get it free for life.The point i am making is that people forget the past treatment they have had , Schools , Education, protection, Liberty. people who live abroad in hot country's should not receive winter payments,

don't be fooled they will catch you, because they are looking harder now,

Perhaps it is because having paid taxes throughout their working life and, if in receipt of a private pension, still paying tax - whilst no longer being entitled to ANY benefits - they tend to get a bit fed up about it.

Personally, I am more annoyed that we are no longer entitled to treatment under the NHS (even though still paying tax).

I do agree though that the IRS is looking far more carefully into tax dodgers now that they are desperate for the money. Except for the incredibly wealthy elite of course....

I totally agree with what you saying, In my case i have had to pay for my Thai wife to come to England, She pays tax yet cannot claim anything, because she has not been here Iong enough, yet i have paid taxes for forty years. I cannot say any more because i have been baned off this site because i spoke my mind, its called being racist, thats where the UK goes wrong, we cannot speak out just pay taxes for people who put nothing in the system yet take every thing out.

I'm missing something here.

You complain about "people who put nothing in the system yet take every thing out", whilst not understanding why your Thai wife "cannot claim anything, because she has not been here Iong enough"...

OK YOU have paid tax for 40 years - how long has your wife paid tax?

I only wish the same logic applied to all immigrants - pay tax for a number of years before you are entitled to anything!

[Thongkorn]

she has been in the UK , England for 27 months, but has been working legally since week two. I had to pay for her collage, for her ESOL course, and any other course she may want to take. also I had to fight My doctor because most are fund holders and don't want none EU Immigrants. if she was Eastern European she could claim but because the EU and non elected body has in posed this on the UK. I think i will stop now before i get into trouble.

[F1fanatic]

she has been in the UK , England for 27 months, but has been working legally since week two. I had to pay for her collage, for her ESOL course, and any other course she may want to take. also I had to fight My doctor because most are fund holders and don't want none EU Immigrants. if she was Eastern European she could claim but because the EU and non elected body has in posed this on the UK. I think i will stop now before i get into trouble.

You're hardly being racist about Thais! So why would you get in trouble?

How long does your wife have to pay tax before she is entitled to UK benefits?

The reason why EU citizens are entitled to benefits is (I think) 'cos UK citizens could claim benefits in those countries under EU agreements.

[true blue]

quite a few of my social circle,are over 70 and lived here for at least 10 years and i can vouch,they are all get full oap benefits,

[trainman34014]

quite a few of my social circle,are over 70 and lived here for at least 10 years and i can vouch,they are all get full oap benefits,

Not quite sure what you mean by this? Are you saying that they get their yearly increase and winter fuel payment etc ?

[stoneyboy]

Please spare a thought for us young uns,who may not even make the new extended pension age,is it 67 at present they want us to graft till,imagine that you work hard pay your way and they want you to work longer,it's one thing moaning about current entitlements,but really what does the future hold,it looks pretty bleak to me.

[true blue]

quite a few of my social circle,are over 70 and lived here for at least 10 years and i can vouch,they are all get full oap benefits,

Not quite sure what you mean by this? Are you saying that they get their yearly increase and winter fuel payment etc ?

as this is a open web site,one has to be careful what one says,or who one says it to.

[trainman34014]

Please spare a thought for us young uns,who may not even make the new extended pension age,is it 67 at present they want us to graft till,imagine that you work hard pay your way and they want you to work longer,it's one thing moaning about current entitlements,but really what does the future hold,it looks pretty bleak to me.

Depends how young you are for one thing. Chances are that by the time you reach 67 the goalposts will have been moved further ahead again, say 70. I've told my son's they need to think very carefully about how they plan for the future as they are now in their 30's/40's and earning good money. Of course they have wives and kids of their own and almost every penny is swallowed up by just living in the UK these days. I think it's more difficult for young people now than it's ever been. Good luck to you, and plan as well as you can.

[F1fanatic]

Please spare a thought for us young uns,who may not even make the new extended pension age,is it 67 at present they want us to graft till,imagine that you work hard pay your way and they want you to work longer,it's one thing moaning about current entitlements,but really what does the future hold,it looks pretty bleak to me.

Couldn't agree more.

I'm one of the 'lucky' generation who enjoyed a good private pension that is pretty much guaranteed.

I'm not old enough to claim yet, but am v glad I don't have to rely on my state pension which, little doubt, will be non-existent by the time I reach the official retirement age.

[trainman34014]

quite a few of my social circle,are over 70 and lived here for at least 10 years and i can vouch,they are all get full oap benefits,

Not quite sure what you mean by this? Are you saying that they get their yearly increase and winter fuel payment etc ?

as this is a open web site,one has to be careful what one says,or who one says it to.

I'll take that as a yes then !

[cardholder]

quite a few of my social circle,are over 70 and lived here for at least 10 years and i can vouch,they are all get full oap benefits,

Not quite sure what you mean by this? Are you saying that they get their yearly increase and winter fuel payment etc ?

as this is a open web site,one has to be careful what one says,or who one says it to.

I'll take that as a yes then !

.... or, a "no"......