UK pensions

[transam]

Your first payment is paid one month and a few days after your 65 birthday, so now probably one month and a week...

[Kwasaki]

My UK pension due date was a Monday but now a Thursday due to a swift bank number wanted some time back, my telephone call to DWP resulted in me guessing it is held up by being paid into the Thai Bank head office branch in Bangkok and then they send it to my Bangkok bank branch.

Are there others here who still get paid on there original due date ?

[sandyf]

Just a couple of questions

I have now arranged to have my UK pension paid to my Thai bank account.

1. I understand that the first payment will be approx up to seven days later. Is this correct? and

2. I also understand that subsequent four weekly payments will arrive on your allocated day subject of course to US/UK/Thai bank holidays. Again, is this correct?

You haven't said if you have moved your pension from a UK account to a Thai account or if it is your very first pension payment. If it is your very first payment then it should come on the date advised. I take it you are referring to a UK state pension.

As for getting paid, that seems to vary and it may depend on the Thai bank. My pension is due on a Friday and invariably arrives around 09.30 on the Friday morning. It has been 1 day late on 3 occasions over the last 4 years. If there has been a UK holiday at the weekend it was due I have received it early on the Thursday, same has happened with a Thai holiday on the Friday. US holidays are not an issue.

Mine has been extremely reliable but others haven't fared as well. Some time ago there was an issue over late payments and the outcome didn't seem to improve the situation.

Hope it goes well.

[sandyf]

My UK pension due date was a Monday but now a Thursday due to a swift bank number wanted some time back, my telephone call to DWP resulted in me guessing it is held up by being paid into the Thai Bank head office branch in Bangkok and then they send it to my Bangkok bank branch.

Are there others here who still get paid on there original due date ?

Yes. I had no interruption, just came as usual.

[shunter]

Occasional date fluctuations sometimes three days late but over the last year 9 of the 13 payments have been on time. It's not a burning issue and I am of the opinion that the problems arise at this end with the receiving bank(s).

I have been with U.O.B. since they arrived here in Thailand some 16 to 17 years back and I've always found their service extremely good.

[hathairat2711]

Thanks for the responses.

Yes, I have changed from my UK bank to my Thai bank and yes, it is the state pension. My private pensions continue to be paid to my UK bank account.

Cheers.

[sandyf]

Thanks for the responses.

Yes, I have changed from my UK bank to my Thai bank and yes, it is the state pension. My private pensions continue to be paid to my UK bank account.

Cheers.

That being the case, I am sure I read somewhere that they needed one months notice to change from one account to another, payment day should remain the same.

[Kwasaki]

Thanks for the responses.

Yes, I have changed from my UK bank to my Thai bank and yes, it is the state pension. My private pensions continue to be paid to my UK bank account.

Cheers.

That being the case, I am sure I read somewhere that they needed one months notice to change from one account to another, payment day should remain the same.

I read when I arranged my UK state pension that if I chose a UK bank I would not be able to change bank payments to a Thai bank for 1 year.

[dabhand]

Just an update to say that my pension forecast finally arrived today. I was a bit concerned at how my Class 3 payments would be viewed but was relieved to see that the forecast was only 43p short of the new uprated pension - this being a COPE deduction which must have happened way back in the dim and distant past.

The forecast confirmed my 36 qualifying years so am more than happy with the outcome, particularly with all the recent press reports and other comments indicating that very few would qualify for anything close to the full uprated pension. Now just need the frozen issue to be resolved in the next couple of years, but not expecting miracles on that issue.

[evadgib]

230,000 benefit as pension revolution marks one year milestone

[sandyf]

230,000 benefit as pension revolution marks one year milestone

"The Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Harriett Baldwin said:

It’s only right that people should have a choice over what they do with their money and in their first year our successful pension freedoms have already given thousands of people access and responsibility over their hard-earned savings."

It is unfortunate that they cannot apply the same sort of thought process to the state pension.

The problem here of course is the fact that the government do not recognise the money labelled as pension contributions and forcibly taken from the general public as 'hard-earned savings', more as a Dick Turpin type income.

[Oxx]

"The Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Harriett Baldwin said:

Its only right that people should have a choice over what they do with their money and in their first year our successful pension freedoms have already given thousands of people access and responsibility over their hard-earned savings."

And it's unfortunate that they haven't extended those freedoms to the vast majority QROPS. These freedoms were deleted from the Statutory Instrument at the last minute. Currently, there is only pension freedom for QROPS within EU countries... and the EU doesn't include Guernsey, Jersey or Isle of Man, so lots of expats are stuck with relatively expensive pensions. Once again the UK Government screws expats over pensions.

[evadgib]

Of interest to long term Brits abroad:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36159009

[Bernard Flint]

Are there any benefits of having a gov. pension sent to a thai bank account, rather than leaving in a uk account????.Bank charges for money sent to thai accounts can be high, so examples please.

[sandyf]

Are there any benefits of having a gov. pension sent to a thai bank account, rather than leaving in a uk account????.Bank charges for money sent to thai accounts can be high, so examples please.

If you mean the state pension direct payment, then yes. My pension comes into my Thai account at a rate slightly better than Super Rich and clear of charges.

If you don't need the money then it can be argued that it is better to keep in the UK and speculate on the best time to move it.

[transam]

Are there any benefits of having a gov. pension sent to a thai bank account, rather than leaving in a uk account????.Bank charges for money sent to thai accounts can be high, so examples please.

If you mean the state pension direct payment, then yes. My pension comes into my Thai account at a rate slightly better than Super Rich and clear of charges.

If you don't need the money then it can be argued that it is better to keep in the UK and speculate on the best time to move it.

And no ATM charges....

[canopus1969]

State pension: take it now, or defer Link

[thaibeachlovers]

I made this point before, but got nil support.

Pensioners living in the UK will likely plough ALL their money back into the economy there, buying their food and paying tax such as VAT.

Ex-pats, by definition will put most of their pension into the coffers of their country of choice.

I agree with the existing situation.

I agree this is a very valid reason. Expanding your argument further, it's about more than just taxes.

Money spent in the UK has a "multiplier effect" on the UK economy. i.e you spend a pound, and the recipient of that pound in turn will likely spend at least part of that pound on buying something else from someone else, who in turn spends and so on. The result is greater domestic demand and a stronger UK economy which creates jobs for people who in turn spend money and are less reliant on the state. The result: many benefits to the UK + the whole country ends up in a better place. Looked at another way a pension spent in the UK costs the government less than a pension spent in Thailand

On the other hand a pensioner spending their pension in Thailand benefits the Thai economy, and creates Thai jobs etc, with no real benefit to UK. The UK already gives away far too much to non-UK nationals that it shouldn't do. The country is in bad shape financially, and struggling with its debts.

Also to be borne in mind:

- For people who say they have paid all their lives into the UK system. Remember 1) they contributed nothing for the first 16 years or so of their lives 2) They have had other non-pension benefits already, such as healthcare 3) The UK system doesn't save their money for the future in a magic pot somewhere, they spend it as it comes in. 4) Everyone knows existing workers (partly) fund existing pensioners, which is becoming more and more unsustainable each day + 5) Why should existing workers in the UK be creating jobs in Thailand which could actually take away jobs in their own country. Thailand sets a fine example of nationalism and protectionism and generally gives little or zero in policies that really benefit foreigners.

- The overseas pensioner usually knows the rules of the game and it's their choice to live in Thailand

- If pensions for overseas people not contributing any longer to the UK were increased, the government would simply take it off other needy areas of society. It's not as if they have a large pot of money as an excess. The UK spends more than it earns. In all likelihood, they'd reduce all pensioners over time rather than increase. eg when they equalised pension ages for men and women, all that happened is everyone ended up with a worse deal and lowest comoon denominator over time

If thinking only of myself and my family, I'd be in favour of equalising the pensions so I personally get more.

Looking at the bigger picture, and with a little less self interest, it's probably better for the UK I get a lower pension, and it goes to the people in the UK that need it, and benefits the UK. I knew the score when I signed up. I don't contribute much to the UK these days, so why should I get handouts of people I've never met.

(BTW That's no excuse for the government to continue wasting money in the ways it does, and not looking after its own nationals at the expense of foreigners in many other areas too)

Sorry, but you and others with same view point overlook the elephant in the room. Whatever money a pensioner in the UK spends there will be INSIGNIFICANT in comparison to the amount the NHS will spend on them for health care. A stroke or heart attack is ENORMOUSLY expensive, and the follow up care on discharge is HUGELY expensive.

Far better to pay them the pittance to enable them to live overseas where the UK has ZERO responsibility for their health care.

[MAZ3]

None of my pensionable friends knew about the frozen aspect of the State pension and all have a address in the UK,and i don't blame them.

I hate benefit(pension isn't a benefit)cheats etc,but its the Government's that are the cheats!.

[nong38]

I made this point before, but got nil support.

Pensioners living in the UK will likely plough ALL their money back into the economy there, buying their food and paying tax such as VAT.

Ex-pats, by definition will put most of their pension into the coffers of their country of choice.

I agree with the existing situation.

I agree this is a very valid reason. Expanding your argument further, it's about more than just taxes.

Money spent in the UK has a "multiplier effect" on the UK economy. i.e you spend a pound, and the recipient of that pound in turn will likely spend at least part of that pound on buying something else from someone else, who in turn spends and so on. The result is greater domestic demand and a stronger UK economy which creates jobs for people who in turn spend money and are less reliant on the state. The result: many benefits to the UK + the whole country ends up in a better place. Looked at another way a pension spent in the UK costs the government less than a pension spent in Thailand

On the other hand a pensioner spending their pension in Thailand benefits the Thai economy, and creates Thai jobs etc, with no real benefit to UK. The UK already gives away far too much to non-UK nationals that it shouldn't do. The country is in bad shape financially, and struggling with its debts.

Also to be borne in mind:

- For people who say they have paid all their lives into the UK system. Remember 1) they contributed nothing for the first 16 years or so of their lives 2) They have had other non-pension benefits already, such as healthcare 3) The UK system doesn't save their money for the future in a magic pot somewhere, they spend it as it comes in. 4) Everyone knows existing workers (partly) fund existing pensioners, which is becoming more and more unsustainable each day + 5) Why should existing workers in the UK be creating jobs in Thailand which could actually take away jobs in their own country. Thailand sets a fine example of nationalism and protectionism and generally gives little or zero in policies that really benefit foreigners.

- The overseas pensioner usually knows the rules of the game and it's their choice to live in Thailand

- If pensions for overseas people not contributing any longer to the UK were increased, the government would simply take it off other needy areas of society. It's not as if they have a large pot of money as an excess. The UK spends more than it earns. In all likelihood, they'd reduce all pensioners over time rather than increase. eg when they equalised pension ages for men and women, all that happened is everyone ended up with a worse deal and lowest comoon denominator over time

If thinking only of myself and my family, I'd be in favour of equalising the pensions so I personally get more.

Looking at the bigger picture, and with a little less self interest, it's probably better for the UK I get a lower pension, and it goes to the people in the UK that need it, and benefits the UK. I knew the score when I signed up. I don't contribute much to the UK these days, so why should I get handouts of people I've never met.

(BTW That's no excuse for the government to continue wasting money in the ways it does, and not looking after its own nationals at the expense of foreigners in many other areas too)

Sorry, but you and others with same view point overlook the elephant in the room. Whatever money a pensioner in the UK spends there will be INSIGNIFICANT in comparison to the amount the NHS will spend on them for health care. A stroke or heart attack is ENORMOUSLY expensive, and the follow up care on discharge is HUGELY expensive.

Far better to pay them the pittance to enable them to live overseas where the UK has ZERO responsibility for their health care.

I live here in THailand and spend most of my money here, but not all so its wrong to say that ex pat pensioners dont contribute to the UK economy. I buy things online, I spend money when I go back to the UK to see family, I would guess that my input into the UK economy is over £1000 so one of the claims is not true for me and I doubt if I am alone, then there is the big elephant isnt there. HMRC we may have left but we still contribute and have no choice about it.

I had no idea about the pension restriction on location, whilst at work and only found about it when I moved here and I think that that is the situation with most people, if you knew, someone told you because there is nothing in the pages, just a few words that dont seem to apply. Why would any normal person think that moving abroad would affect their pension, why would they ask such a question? Why would they think that there is difference between the USA and Canada?

[Rajab Al Zarahni]

Responding to nong38:

Expats with pension income below the personal income tax allowance make no contribution to the cost of services back home but the same is true for just over 43%+ of adults in the UK.

It's probably true to say that most of the income of this 43% + is spent in the UK but given VAT at 20% and the fact of their modest income, their overall contribution to the UK economy is not huge.

This group certainly get the benefit of those services other than the state pension, funded by their past National Insurance contributions, from which expats are unable to benefit.

From scrutiny of comments on pensions articles in the UK national press, there is a widespread belief that UK pensioners based abroad do not pay UK income tax. Those of us who have pension income above the personal allowance pay UK income tax at source and receive absolutely nothing in return except perhaps the consular services of our embassy.

[evadgib]

Hi All,

FYI: I'm currently in UK and have this evening tried to register and use the Govt gateway in order to apply for state pension forecast. As soon as i entered my passport details I was fobbed off at the high port with some old chestnut about "you have lived or worked abroad' & offered a link that I had naively assumed had been superseded by the online process. I gave them a flea in the ear via the feedback form that appeared after the failed attempt.

I didn't bother trying to renew my UK driving licence...

Note: Gateway currently sends a 4 digit code to UK landline or mob no's every time you log in so you can more or less forget about trying to do anything from Thailand.

On a lighter note I was able to establish that my state pension age will be 66 years and 6 months/11 years from now.

[sandyf]

Hi All,

FYI: I'm currently in UK and have this evening tried to register and use the Govt gateway in order to apply for state pension forecast. As soon as i entered my passport details I was fobbed off at the high port with some old chestnut about "you have lived or worked abroad' & offered a link that I had naively assumed had been superseded by the online process. I gave them a flea in the ear via the feedback form that appeared after the failed attempt.

I didn't bother trying to renew my UK driving licence...

Note: Gateway currently sends a 4 digit code to UK landline or mob no's every time you log in so you can more or less forget about trying to do anything from Thailand.

On a lighter note I was able to establish that my state pension age will be 66 years and 6 months/11 years from now.

I have a UK pay as you go so no problem getting on to the gateway sites. First time it came up I tried my Thai phone but got no response.

I renewed my driving licence last year without a problem, maybe changed since then. That was probably my last time anyway, expires in about 18 months. I can see a bit of a problem trying to get the doctors certificate.

[nontabury]

Hi All,

FYI: I'm currently in UK and have this evening tried to register and use the Govt gateway in order to apply for state pension forecast. As soon as i entered my passport details I was fobbed off at the high port with some old chestnut about "you have lived or worked abroad' & offered a link that I had naively assumed had been superseded by the online process. I gave them a flea in the ear via the feedback form that appeared after the failed attempt.

I didn't bother trying to renew my UK driving licence...

Note: Gateway currently sends a 4 digit code to UK landline or mob no's every time you log in so you can more or less forget about trying to do anything from Thailand.

On a lighter note I was able to establish that my state pension age will be 66 years and 6 months/11 years from now.

Unless they change the goalpost by then.

[loppylugs1]

Hi All,

FYI: I'm currently in UK and have this evening tried to register and use the Govt gateway in order to apply for state pension forecast. As soon as i entered my passport details I was fobbed off at the high port with some old chestnut about "you have lived or worked abroad' & offered a link that I had naively assumed had been superseded by the online process. I gave them a flea in the ear via the feedback form that appeared after the failed attempt.

I didn't bother trying to renew my UK driving licence...

Note: Gateway currently sends a 4 digit code to UK landline or mob no's every time you log in so you can more or less forget about trying to do anything from Thailand.

On a lighter note I was able to establish that my state pension age will be 66 years and 6 months/11 years from now.

You have to become computer savvy to overcome,VPN etc, shifting that computer clock on computer etc too,cookies ,do not track even obtaining UK based phone no,that rings 'phone in Thailand and vice versa all local rates to UK...suppose Thailand would have made unfrozen list,if short timing and cost of setting up deals those 40 odd years ago was agreed. Up until the 70s inflation was not a problem,that's why the white commonwealth countries were not included,got enough money ,do not need any more

[evadgib]

Renewing a passport at a Thai address probably did it for me.

We're once again 2nd class citizens when it comes to receiving any sort of service from HMG these days.

[partington]

Renewing a passport at a Thai address probably did it for me.

We're once again 2nd class citizens when it comes to receiving any sort of service from HMG these days.

I registered my address with the HMRC, they sent me a password in the post, and I can use the gateway services fine from Thailand.

This is all detailed on the site. You can communicate, request various forecasts , submit tax returns, and look up your tax information all online from a foreign location.

Some information you request may be restricted to being sent by mail if you have given a foreign address, but most online services work OK. You just have to set it up from here.

[loppylugs1]

Renewing a passport at a Thai address probably did it for me.

We're once again 2nd class citizens when it comes to receiving any sort of service from HMG these days.

No probability about it, mine Aussie,no problem

[chiang mai]

Renewing a passport at a Thai address probably did it for me.

We're once again 2nd class citizens when it comes to receiving any sort of service from HMG these days.

I registered my address with the HMRC, they sent me a password in the post, and I can use the gateway services fine from Thailand.

This is all detailed on the site. You can communicate, request various forecasts , submit tax returns, and look up your tax information all online from a foreign location.

Some information you request may be restricted to being sent by mail if you have given a foreign address, but most online services work OK. You just have to set it up from here.

May I ask Partington if you are registered as non-UK resident for tax purposes?

[partington]

Renewing a passport at a Thai address probably did it for me.

We're once again 2nd class citizens when it comes to receiving any sort of service from HMG these days.

I registered my address with the HMRC, they sent me a password in the post, and I can use the gateway services fine from Thailand.

This is all detailed on the site. You can communicate, request various forecasts , submit tax returns, and look up your tax information all online from a foreign location.

Some information you request may be restricted to being sent by mail if you have given a foreign address, but most online services work OK. You just have to set it up from here.

May I ask Partington if you are registered as non-UK resident for tax purposes?

When I left the UK I filled in the HMRC form that gives notice you are leaving the country, and when I was submitting tax returns for the few years I had to (before they asked me to stop because my UK rental income never got above the personal allowance) I always filled in the non-resident section, and I have given them an official contact address in Thailand, so you probably could term it "registered".

I think however that each tax year is taken individually, and as soon as you are in the UK more than 180 days (or whatever it is now) you are officially tax resident, no matter what you have told them previously, so there is no actual "registration", it is determined purely by number of days in the country in any particular year.