Rise In British Men Marrying Thai Brides Behind Foreign Pensions Increase, U K Govt Suggests

[bangon04]

When the UK opts out of the EEC (and it will) all the benefits that foreigners enjoy will be cut, and quite rightly so. In thailand foreign husbands are entitled to absolutely nothing. So why should Thai brides be allowed to have rights in the UK ?

Another post from another poster ignorant of what 'foreigners' can and cannot claim in the UK!

Maybe you should read Playing the blame game - it's all the immigrants fault...

BTW, the EEC no longer exists, so it will be difficult for the UK to 'opt out' of it.

Not as difficult as it would be for the UK to break the numerous treaties that leaving the EU would involve, though.

The EEC was what most people voted to join. The EU was foisted on them later...

[7by7]

I see that even more ignorant posts accusing immigrants of milking the UK benefit system have appeared; so once more I will say;

THIS IS A MYTH!

The fact is that immigrants to the UK who are subject to immigration control, i.e. do not have ILR or the equivalent, whether entering via the PBS, family migration or any other route covered by the immigration rules, cannot claim most public funds until they have ILR.

The only real exceptions to this are public funds based on NI contributions, where if the immigrant has paid sufficient contributions and meets the other requirements for the benefit concerned, then they can claim and receive it.

See Public Funds and this pdf file.

As can be seen from the pdf document, the UK does have bilateral agreements with some non EEA countries which allows nationals of those countries living in the UK to claim some public funds, and vice versa.

EEA regulations means that the situation is different for EEA nationals exercising their treaty rights to live in the UK; as it is for UK nationals doing the same in another EEA state.

Basically, they are able to claim most, but not all, public funds, contributory and non contributory, without losing their right of residence as long as they do not become an unreasonable burden upon the state. See this pdf document.

Not that the facts will convince the prejudiced; unfortunately.

[7by7]

When the UK opts out of the EEC (and it will) all the benefits that foreigners enjoy will be cut, and quite rightly so. In thailand foreign husbands are entitled to absolutely nothing. So why should Thai brides be allowed to have rights in the UK ?

Another post from another poster ignorant of what 'foreigners' can and cannot claim in the UK!

Maybe you should read Playing the blame game - it's all the immigrants fault...

BTW, the EEC no longer exists, so it will be difficult for the UK to 'opt out' of it.

Not as difficult as it would be for the UK to break the numerous treaties that leaving the EU would involve, though.

The EEC was what most people voted to join. The EU was foisted on them later...

But it still doesn't exist any more.

And if you want to be pedantic, the people of the UK did not vote to join the EEC. The UK was already a member at the time of the referendum; which asked whether or not the UK should remain in the EEC.

[h5kaf]

£410 Million? Okay that's a lot of money. Now let's put it in perspective.

Pensions - £138 Billion. Out of a total of £684 billion.

So, 0.3% of the pension budget. 0.06% of the overall budget.

Yes, I'm sure clawing a fraction of that back will fix all their problems. Much more effective than not spending £12Bn on a computer system then scrapping it because it doesn't work. Or the £2.4Bn battlefield radios (that don't work) for the MOD. How about the £250M helicopters that can't fly at night (or in clouds). I'd sure like to see a breakdown of exactly how "policing" Julian Assange has cost the taxpayers £3M (so far). And these are 'tip of the iceberg' examples.

Spot on. Of course we pensioners (who have paid in our national insurance contributions all our working lives) are less important than those who live in Africa, Pakistan and other areas of the world where Cameroon and his mates (Cleggie) want to increase the foreign aid by many billions of £s. They also opposed the payment of pension increases to those living in Thailand and other overseas locations. This went to the European court where the government claimed that the UK pensions were not dependent upon national insurance contributions, so the court upheld the idea that some pensions need not be increased. This latest disclosure puts paid to that lie by the UK government - it has always been about a person's national insurance contributions.

MPs can award themselves huge increases in their salaries, expenses allowances and anything else they choose - after all they only have to apply every 5 years for a new employment contract, which in most cases is a formality. They can spend billions on useless wind farms, gay marriage legislation and keeping a small band of Liberated Demons on side - but happily forget those who have spent a lifetime contributing and who are trying to enjoy what is left of their short life spans. PATHETIC.

[HardenedSoul]

British men marrying Thai women? I wonder why?

Yes but have you seen the state of some British men?

What decent, attractive woman is going to be interested in a pot-bellied, overweight, beer-swilling oaf in a wife-beater?

More of them should take an objective look in the mirror before criticising the pool of Brit birds they have to fish i then they might get an idea of why their prettier Thai teeraks endure rather than enjoy their sexual administrations

Edited May 8, 2013 by HardenedSoul

[AnotherOneAmerican]

If you purchase a pension that includes a provision for 'spouse payment', shouldn't you expect to get what you paid for?

If the 'spouse payment' clause did not exclude people of selected race, nationality or gender. Would they be allowed to change it later?

Would any western company be allowed to exclude people by such means?

I think not.

They (British government) sold the product, people bought into it, now it's time for them to keep their contract.

That isn't to say they shouldn't be able to change the terms for new people joining the scheme.

But those already paying, should get what they purchased.

Edited May 8, 2013 by AnotherOneAmerican

[bikerider21]

In this case the UK government is mighty stupid; show me a country that pays a pension to someone that never played taxes there.

Wives who depend on their husband for a living? Must they starve if the husband dies? UK maybe?

[bikerider21]

From what I have read so far, there seems to total discrimination against Thai wives. This is most apparent in the British embassy in Bangkok especially amongst the female staff.

What is the reason for this? Could it be jealousy, reputation, stereotyping? What ever the reason, it must be made aware of in order to stop it.

Not all Thai wives are ex-prostitutes and those that are often make better wives than the home grown variety.

[Bkkbound]

The biggest scam in the UK is the abuse of child benefit system by EU nationals whose kids if they exist are not even resident in the UK., at £20 for the first child and £13 for all others per week the numbers are phenomenal and the civil service has no means of controlling it, the number of people claiming to be Guardians of children is a joke.

This loophole is the consequence of standardising entitlements across the EU but having no governance arrangements.. quite mad..

[Card]

From what I have read so far, there seems to total discrimination against Thai wives. This is most apparent in the British embassy in Bangkok especially amongst the female staff.

What is the reason for this? Could it be jealousy, reputation, stereotyping? What ever the reason, it must be made aware of in order to stop it.

Not all Thai wives are ex-prostitutes and those that are often make better wives than the home grown variety.

How do you know? How many Thai prostitutes have you or your friends married then?

Of course they stereotype at the embassy - it's called profiling and you don't need to guess much when you see what turns up at the counter asking for a visa.

[lee b]

good news for me

[Bkkbound]

If you purchase a pension that includes a provision for 'spouse payment', shouldn't you expect to get what you paid for?

If the 'spouse payment' clause did not exclude people of selected race, nationality or gender. Would they be allowed to change it later?

Would any western company be allowed to exclude people by such means?

I think not.

They (British government) sold the product, people bought into it, now it's time for them to keep their contract.

That isn't to say they shouldn't be able to change the terms for new people joining the scheme.

But those already paying, should get what they purchased.

Agree entirely, I've paid into the state pension scheme and my occupational scheme for the best part of 35 years, the terms of of which have been revised three times in the last 10 years all to my detriment.

I don't think I am directly affected as my wife(thai) works and pays her own NI contributions. We do plan to retire to Thailand at my occupational optimum retirement age which is still 57, state pension entitlement kicks in at 65, she however will have not paid full contributions but will have paid 12yrs. Its not unreasonable of me to expect the deal I bought into to be honoured.

Otherwise the basis and case for making a commitment to a pension scheme is <deleted>.

[cardholder]

If you purchase a pension that includes a provision for 'spouse payment', shouldn't you expect to get what you paid for?

If the 'spouse payment' clause did not exclude people of selected race, nationality or gender. Would they be allowed to change it later?

Would any western company be allowed to exclude people by such means?

I think not.

They (British government) sold the product, people bought into it, now it's time for them to keep their contract.

That isn't to say they shouldn't be able to change the terms for new people joining the scheme.

But those already paying, should get what they purchased.

Agree entirely, I've paid into the state pension scheme and my occupational scheme for the best part of 35 years, the terms of of which have been revised three times in the last 10 years all to my detriment.

I don't think I am directly affected as my wife(thai) works and pays her own NI contributions. We do plan to retire to Thailand at my occupational optimum retirement age which is still 57, state pension entitlement kicks in at 65, she however will have not paid full contributions but will have paid 12yrs. Its not unreasonable of me to expect the deal I bought into to be honoured.

Otherwise the basis and case for making a commitment to a pension scheme is <deleted>.

Your State pension will kick in at 66......................... (at the moment)

[Mudcrab]

It's not just that foreign wives may not have paid into the system but also that the UK economy doesn't get any of the pension when it is spent.

That is a very important point to make and seems to be glossed over by the majority of posters. The millions they are sending overseas is leaving the UK economy, most likely permanently. It is in the interests of the Government, and the UK generally, to keep as much of this money working in the UK economy supporting local businesses and industry etc.

Another point that people don't realise is the Old Age Pension itself. Not sure about the UK but the figures on Oz that I have seen was that the OAP was set at 65 years...when the life expectancy was much lower...mid to late 50's years old. i.e it was for old people (at that particular time).

Not everybody was expected to live to a ripe old age (65yo) to get it. Now that the life expectancy is up around the 80 mark don't be surprised to see the age when the pension kicks in to rise markedly in the not too distant future. it has already started in some countries.

[Spalpeen]

British men marrying Thai women? I wonder why?

Yes but have you seen the state of some British men?

What decent, attractive woman is going to be interested in a pot-bellied, overweight, beer-swilling oaf in a wife-beater?

More of them should take an objective look in the mirror before criticising the pool of Brit birds they have to fish i then they might get an idea of why their prettier Thai teeraks endure rather than enjoy their sexual administrations

Always good to hear some input from the feminists. Someone once remarked "English food and English women....the foundations of a great seafaring nation!"

[Rajab Al Zarahni]

It's not just that foreign wives may not have paid into the system but also that the UK economy doesn't get any of the pension when it is spent.

That is a very important point to make and seems to be glossed over by the majority of posters. The millions they are sending overseas is leaving the UK economy, most likely permanently. It is in the interests of the Government, and the UK generally, to keep as much of this money working in the UK economy supporting local businesses and industry etc.

Another point that people don't realise is the Old Age Pension itself. Not sure about the UK but the figures on Oz that I have seen was that the OAP was set at 65 years...when the life expectancy was much lower...mid to late 50's years old. i.e it was for old people (at that particular time).

Not everybody was expected to live to a ripe old age (65yo) to get it. Now that the life expectancy is up around the 80 mark don't be surprised to see the age when the pension kicks in to rise markedly in the not too distant future. it has already started in some countries.

A lot of people living abroad pay UK income tax at source on their pension income. They receive no benefit in return and the money recirculates back into the UK economy to the benefit of the people who live there.

With reference to your second point, life expectancy has been increasing for some time. We didn't just wake up one morning and find that it had happened. The Chartered Actuaries who are paid huge salaries for providing advice on these matters have been caught with their pants down but still got paid for their failure.

[HardenedSoul]

British men marrying Thai women? I wonder why?

Yes but have you seen the state of some British men?

What decent, attractive woman is going to be interested in a pot-bellied, overweight, beer-swilling oaf in a wife-beater?

More of them should take an objective look in the mirror before criticising the pool of Brit birds they have to fish i then they might get an idea of why their prettier Thai teeraks endure rather than enjoy their sexual administrations

Always good to hear some input from the feminists. Someone once remarked "English food and English women....the foundations of a great seafaring nation!"

Yeah cos every bird loves a sweating, beer-sodden hippo wheezing and writhing over her

[7by7]

Another point that people don't realise is the Old Age Pension itself. Not sure about the UK but the figures on Oz that I have seen was that the OAP was set at 65 years...when the life expectancy was much lower...mid to late 50's years old. i.e it was for old people (at that particular time).

Not everybody was expected to live to a ripe old age (65yo) to get it. Now that the life expectancy is up around the 80 mark don't be surprised to see the age when the pension kicks in to rise markedly in the not too distant future. it has already started in some countries.

A valid point; which applies equally in the UK.

What many people don't realise is that the NI contributions which they pay are not invested for their pension.

They are used to pay the pensions of people currently retired.

This was fine when the system was introduced. A large working population and a small retired population; most men living only until their late sixties to early seventies, most women to their early to mid seventies, meant that the large working population were paying the pensions of the small retired one.

But falling birth rates coupled with better health care means that people are living longer, so drawing their pensions for longer, and the ratio of worker to pensioner is falling. Particularly as the baby boomers born in the late forties, early fifties are now reaching retirement age.

The size of the state pension pot is falling, and has been for some time, while the number of people drawing from that pot is increasing; and they're drawing from it for longer. The money is running out.

This so called pension time bomb has been ticking for many years, but previous governments have been reluctant to do anything about it; because it would be unpopular and would lose them votes.

The equalising of the pension age for women to the same as that for men, the raising of the pension age itself and now this, and maybe further measures, are designed to address this problem.

Back in the eighties I used to sell private pension plans; we had a saying then: "If you rely on the state when you retire, you will be in one!"

Even more true today than it was then.

Edited May 8, 2013 by 7by7

[bikerider21]

From what I have read so far, there seems to total discrimination against Thai wives. This is most apparent in the British embassy in Bangkok especially amongst the female staff.

What is the reason for this? Could it be jealousy, reputation, stereotyping? What ever the reason, it must be made aware of in order to stop it.

Not all Thai wives are ex-prostitutes and those that are often make better wives than the home grown variety.

How do you know? How many Thai prostitutes have you or your friends married then?

Of course they stereotype at the embassy - it's called profiling and you don't need to guess much when you see what turns up at the counter asking for a visa.

I have been married to a Thai for over 15 years. When we lived in Germany I knew a group of 16 Thai/German families. ALL the wives, some with children just wanted to made a good genuine marriage. The men were not quite as good, often boasting about screwing other women and smoking pot.

How many have you known?

My secretary for 10 years working for Siemens had a salary of 43,000B and owned her own house. She applied for a visa to go and see her sister in the UK. On the first appointment for an interview, she was send away with a new date two weeks later for being 5 minutes late. I escorted her the second time but as I wasn't the sponsor, I was rudely told by an English female to wait outside. She didn't get the visa, just a letter saying they didn't believe her etc. So much for profiling. Maybe it was something to do with the fact that she was single and fairly good looking. I was just her boss, nothing more.

On another occasion after my daughter was born I tried to register the birth. I was asked one question (are you married to the mother - no) then rudely told to go away. I married soon after following an arduous trip to Cyprus to obtain the death certificate of my late wife who was from Iran.

After the point blank refusal I called the embassy and this time spoke to a man. He told me it was possible to register the birth by applying to the home off which I did and subsequently got the registration. Shall I go on?

[Postmaster]

OverhereBC and Hawkman are dead right. Also if the UK gets out of the European Community now sharpish before the next 2 godforsaken countries start sending their tribes over to Blighty there'll be big savings in Benefits payments to those non-contributors. I know there's a lot of indigenous UK scroungers

as well and the Benefits Agency should weed those out too.

[Card]

From what I have read so far, there seems to total discrimination against Thai wives. This is most apparent in the British embassy in Bangkok especially amongst the female staff.

What is the reason for this? Could it be jealousy, reputation, stereotyping? What ever the reason, it must be made aware of in order to stop it.

Not all Thai wives are ex-prostitutes and those that are often make better wives than the home grown variety.

How do you know? How many Thai prostitutes have you or your friends married then?

Of course they stereotype at the embassy - it's called profiling and you don't need to guess much when you see what turns up at the counter asking for a visa.

I have been married to a Thai for over 15 years. When we lived in Germany I knew a group of 16 Thai/German families. ALL the wives, some with children just wanted to made a good genuine marriage. The men were not quite as good, often boasting about screwing other women and smoking pot.

How many have you known?

My secretary for 10 years working for Siemens had a salary of 43,000B and owned her own house. She applied for a visa to go and see her sister in the UK. On the first appointment for an interview, she was send away with a new date two weeks later for being 5 minutes late. I escorted her the second time but as I wasn't the sponsor, I was rudely told by an English female to wait outside. She didn't get the visa, just a letter saying they didn't believe her etc. So much for profiling. Maybe it was something to do with the fact that she was single and fairly good looking. I was just her boss, nothing more.

On another occasion after my daughter was born I tried to register the birth. I was asked one question (are you married to the mother - no) then rudely told to go away. I married soon after following an arduous trip to Cyprus to obtain the death certificate of my late wife who was from Iran.

After the point blank refusal I called the embassy and this time spoke to a man. He told me it was possible to register the birth by applying to the home off which I did and subsequently got the registration. Shall I go on?

Again, how many of these women were prostitutes?

[mca]

Abhisit's really let himself go lately. It must be all the stress.

[bikerider21]

From what I have read so far, there seems to total discrimination against Thai wives. This is most apparent in the British embassy in Bangkok especially amongst the female staff.

What is the reason for this? Could it be jealousy, reputation, stereotyping? What ever the reason, it must be made aware of in order to stop it.

Not all Thai wives are ex-prostitutes and those that are often make better wives than the home grown variety.

How do you know? How many Thai prostitutes have you or your friends married then?

Of course they stereotype at the embassy - it's called profiling and you don't need to guess much when you see what turns up at the counter asking for a visa.

I have been married to a Thai for over 15 years. When we lived in Germany I knew a group of 16 Thai/German families. ALL the wives, some with children just wanted to made a good genuine marriage. The men were not quite as good, often boasting about screwing other women and smoking pot.

How many have you known?

My secretary for 10 years working for Siemens had a salary of 43,000B and owned her own house. She applied for a visa to go and see her sister in the UK. On the first appointment for an interview, she was send away with a new date two weeks later for being 5 minutes late. I escorted her the second time but as I wasn't the sponsor, I was rudely told by an English female to wait outside. She didn't get the visa, just a letter saying they didn't believe her etc. So much for profiling. Maybe it was something to do with the fact that she was single and fairly good looking. I was just her boss, nothing more.

On another occasion after my daughter was born I tried to register the birth. I was asked one question (are you married to the mother - no) then rudely told to go away. I married soon after following an arduous trip to Cyprus to obtain the death certificate of my late wife who was from Iran.

After the point blank refusal I called the embassy and this time spoke to a man. He told me it was possible to register the birth by applying to the home off which I did and subsequently got the registration. Shall I go on?

Again, how many of these women were prostitutes?

I described the German men and thought the answer was obvious, probably all. Duuuuuhhhhhh!

However, my secretary wasn't but was accused of being one. The letter said they didn't believe her and thought that she was going to the UK permanently. She would definitely have got the visa if she had been plain.

Why does this interest you? It looks like you have something against prostitutes trying to better them selves (not for money of pension). Oh, I also had two bars in Pattaya and saw many girls happily married to falangs. You didn't answer my question, only with another question which is rude. Possibly you should apply for a job at the British Embassy.

[Bkkbound]

If you purchase a pension that includes a provision for 'spouse payment', shouldn't you expect to get what you paid for?

If the 'spouse payment' clause did not exclude people of selected race, nationality or gender. Would they be allowed to change it later?

Would any western company be allowed to exclude people by such means?

I think not.

They (British government) sold the product, people bought into it, now it's time for them to keep their contract.

That isn't to say they shouldn't be able to change the terms for new people joining the scheme.

But those already paying, should get what they purchased.

Agree entirely, I've paid into the state pension scheme and my occupational scheme for the best part of 35 years, the terms of of which have been revised three times in the last 10 years all to my detriment.

I don't think I am directly affected as my wife(thai) works and pays her own NI contributions. We do plan to retire to Thailand at my occupational optimum retirement age which is still 57, state pension entitlement kicks in at 65, she however will have not paid full contributions but will have paid 12yrs. Its not unreasonable of me to expect the deal I bought into to be honoured.

Otherwise the basis and case for making a commitment to a pension scheme is <deleted>.

Your State pension will kick in at 66......................... (at the moment)

Yeah,,thats right , but Cameron did say the last lot of changes to public sector pensions would last 50 years ,

[Spalpeen]

British men marrying Thai women? I wonder why?

Yes but have you seen the state of some British men?

What decent, attractive woman is going to be interested in a pot-bellied, overweight, beer-swilling oaf in a wife-beater?

More of them should take an objective look in the mirror before criticising the pool of Brit birds they have to fish i then they might get an idea of why their prettier Thai teeraks endure rather than enjoy their sexual administrations

Always good to hear some input from the feminists. Someone once remarked "English food and English women....the foundations of a great seafaring nation!"

Yeah cos every bird loves a sweating, beer-sodden hippo wheezing and writhing over her

Well they certainly do in Pattaya. At least it's better than the reverse arrangement, which is what us blokes would be getting back home!

[Postmaster]

AnotherOneAmerican. The UK Gov't HAVE KEPT to the Contract. It is not a question of them altering the contract unfairly. Wives and Kids of UK nationals all over the world drawing benefits when they have never set foot into the Country or made any contribution into the coffers is just plain wrong. Compare that with the System in Thailand : both ends of the scale and BOTH need adjusting in their different ways.

[mrfill]

That's not all that's in the Queen's Speech. Apparently the coalition Government intends to put a stop to Welfare abuse by those entering the country and who have never paid taxes. These measure including housing, health care and welfare restrictions. About bloody time if you as me - http://meebal.com/now-the-lib-dems-tell-immigrants-that-housing-and-health-care-is-only-available-if-they-have-paid-taxes/

This, of course, excludes all the mega-rich Russians and Chinese currently purchasing London properties in droves, who will not be expected to pay any UK income tax or any other personal tax.

[Card]

described the German men and thought the answer was obvious, probably all. Duuuuuhhhhhh!

From what I have read so far, there seems to total discrimination against Thai wives. This is most apparent in the British embassy in Bangkok especially amongst the female staff.

What is the reason for this? Could it be jealousy, reputation, stereotyping? What ever the reason, it must be made aware of in order to stop it.

Not all Thai wives are ex-prostitutes and those that are often make better wives than the home grown variety.

How do you know? How many Thai prostitutes have you or your friends married then?

Of course they stereotype at the embassy - it's called profiling and you don't need to guess much when you see what turns up at the counter asking for a visa.

I have been married to a Thai for over 15 years. When we lived in Germany I knew a group of 16 Thai/German families. ALL the wives, some with children just wanted to made a good genuine marriage. The men were not quite as good, often boasting about screwing other women and smoking pot.

How many have you known?

My secretary for 10 years working for Siemens had a salary of 43,000B and owned her own house. She applied for a visa to go and see her sister in the UK. On the first appointment for an interview, she was send away with a new date two weeks later for being 5 minutes late. I escorted her the second time but as I wasn't the sponsor, I was rudely told by an English female to wait outside. She didn't get the visa, just a letter saying they didn't believe her etc. So much for profiling. Maybe it was something to do with the fact that she was single and fairly good looking. I was just her boss, nothing more.

On another occasion after my daughter was born I tried to register the birth. I was asked one question (are you married to the mother - no) then rudely told to go away. I married soon after following an arduous trip to Cyprus to obtain the death certificate of my late wife who was from Iran.

After the point blank refusal I called the embassy and this time spoke to a man. He told me it was possible to register the birth by applying to the home off which I did and subsequently got the registration. Shall I go on?

Again, how many of these women were prostitutes?

However, my secretary wasn't but was accused of being one. The letter said they didn't believe her and thought that she was going to the UK permanently. She would definitely have got the visa if she had been plain.

Why does this interest you? It looks like you have something against prostitutes trying to better them selves (not for money of pension). Oh, I also had two bars in Pattaya and saw many girls happily married to falangs. You didn't answer my question, only with another question which is rude. Possibly you should apply for a job at the British Embassy.

Being rude for asking for clarification? You said "....those that are often make better wives than the home grown variety." Why do you say this - through experience of yourself or your friends? Or just simple prejudice against the 'home-grown variety"? . Have u been married to more than 1 home grown variety to check your facts? And what u mean by "... described the German men and thought the answer was obvious, probably all. Duuuuuhhhhhh! "

Do u mean their wives were prostitutes? None of what you say is clear.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

AnotherOneAmerican. The UK Gov't HAVE KEPT to the Contract. It is not a question of them altering the contract unfairly. Wives and Kids of UK nationals all over the world drawing benefits when they have never set foot into the Country or made any contribution into the coffers is just plain wrong. Compare that with the System in Thailand : both ends of the scale and BOTH need adjusting in their different ways.

As far as I can ascertain, the UK pension is was for UK nationals that have paid into the scheme, and their wife.

Why would it matter if the wife had ever been to the UK or was a UK citizen?

Why would it matter if the wife was a UK citizen? she didn't pay either.

It is a purchased pension plan with a contract, not a benefit given to all UK citizens.

As far as I know benefits are given to all citizens in a country, no need to ever contribute, that's why it is called a benefit.

I have a company pension plan, it pays a pension to me, and if I die my wife. She never worked for my company.

I have a private pension plan, it pays a pension for me, and if I die my wife. She never paid anything for it.

(Oh, I don't have a wife, but if I did they would get a pension after my death, applicants for the 'wife' position please PM me, include recent photo)

Edited May 8, 2013 by AnotherOneAmerican

[7by7]

How is the discussion of how western men met their Thai wives and whether or not the wives used to be prostitutes relevant to this topic?

Remember, also, that this proposal applies to all wives who have not paid any NI contributions, whether they live in Thailand, the UK or anywhere else.