I'd like to sketch a scenario about the Pension Credit situation. If i brought my Thai wife into the UK, I wouldn't be using the straight £18,600 rule - i would be using either, the Savings rule, or a combination of Savings + Pension income. Here's the scenario using only the £62,500 savings rule : British guy gets Spouse visa on the basis of either just Savings (or some savings + small pension) / once that hurdle is passed and the Thai partner is in the UK, guy uses the Savings to buy property, and so becomes eligible for Pension Credit on the basis that 1) his state pension is only £120 a week (pension credit minimum is £151.20 a week.) and 2) his remaining savings are now below the maximum £50,000 savings allowed and still being eligible to apply for Pension Credit. So does this establish that it is possible to bring a Thai partner into the UK and for the Brit to then apply for increased Pension Credit ? So my question is about the benefit-status of the Thai partner. I could re-write it as this: If a British guy IS in receipt of Pension Credit due to his income and Savings coming within the parameters set out by HM Gvt - would it be possible to apply for a pension credit top-up for his Thai partner as a 'Dependent Adult' ? (Pension Credit minimum for a couple is £230.85 a week.) Any pensions experts out there ? [i will head off the 'don't come to the uk as a benefit-scrounger' brigade by adding that i am only worried about a period when my partner might not be able to find employment.]

The basic rule is that the British partner may claim any and all public funds to which they are entitled; but cannot claim any extra due to their foreign partner living with them.

Pension credits are on the list of proscribed public funds.

So, the simple answer to your question "If a British guy IS in receipt of Pension Credit due to his income and Savings coming within the parameters set out by HM Gvt - would it be possible to apply for a pension credit top-up for his Thai partner as a 'Dependent Adult' ?" is no; not until she has Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Which, as you may know, she will not be eligible to apply for until she has lived in the UK for at least 5 years.