Australian Old Age Pension Residency Requirements

[crows]

I have been living in Thailand for the past 5 years. I have done most things that are suggested not too - sold everything in Australia, married a Thai (7 years and still happy). I am nearing retirement age and have thought about the possibility of returning to Australia to qualify for the OAP. I worked in Australia for 37 years before retiring to Thailand. I have been doing some research as to requirements to receiving the OAP. I am confused as to the 2 year residency clause - I understand that to gain the pension I need to return to Australia but cannot determine if the 2 years starts prior my retirement age or if can I return at 66 years and then serve the penance. Can anyone provide some feedback on this matter?

[simple1]

There is conflicting advice, some people claim portability of the Age Pension requires an initial residence within Australia of at least 2 years while in receipt of the Age Pension, others claim you can be resident in Oz for a minimum of two years prior to claiming Aged Pension that meets the portability criteria. I would advise you to contact Centrelink International for clarity, can use Skype, on 001 800 611 4136.

Note if you no longer have any assets, bank account etc in Oz it could be a challenge to satisfy the Aged Pension residency criteria. Plan for obtaining a rental residency, Oz driving license and bank account prior to claiming. If you’re married to a Thai, have assets and so on in Thailand keep the info to yourself.

Residency info required at:

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/residence-descriptions

It takes approx 13 weeks for an Aged Pension claim to be processed.

EDIT: You can claim Aged Pension at 65

Edited October 18, 2015 by simple1

[fang37]

Thank you - quality information.

My chances of getting the OAP - zero.

[AlexRRR]

For the aged pension to be portable you need to reside in Australia for 2 years prior or 2 years after you applied for it.

Forget talking to centrelink get yourself an advisor pronto, new asset tests came in this year, if your legally married to a younger woman be prepared to get a pension cut, if you have assets in Thailand in your name they count towards total assets.

You won't know where you stand until you lay it all out for an advisor to see, it might not be worth the 2 years in AU for a few $, a bit of planning wouldn't have gone astray, as the poster above said....your single and have no assets in Thai.

[fang37]

Return to Oz for 2 years prior to getting the OAP. How is the accommodation @ Salvos & Vinnies? Those lineup showers - don't drop the soap!

Will they accept an IOU until you have served your term of imprisonment?

Seems to be a top deal.

[AlexRRR]

I moved to BKK in 2011 and i expected to stay, sister insisted i come home and run a year long project for her after a year there i came home now I'm glad i did, Ive been sitting out my time here and end of next year I'm off with my pension snug in my hand, ( well a part of it which will make my life comfortable there) meanwhile I've had a few years to set up my finances to qualify, knowledge is powerful and the way aged pensioners are treated here its a disgrace so use the system anyway you can to benefit you stuff them.

[fang37]

Can I stay @ your sister's home? No $$$ - no problem?

[MaeJoMTB]

Ozzie pal of mine has been living in Thailand 5 years.

Bank account in Oz, worked there 35 years.

Was worried about not getting his pension.

Just turned 65, so went back 2 months ago. Said he filled out the forms honestly.

5 weeks after the claim $1000 a month in his account, no problems at all.

Seems to depend on the office you use and the caseworker authorizing your pension.

Edited October 18, 2015 by MaeJoMTB

[AlexRRR]

Can I stay @ your sister's home? No $$$ - no problem?

i doubt you will be able to put up with her partner, some people as they age have these rather unpleasant habits....hes a bundle of joy totally insecure well it seems like it everything is a problem nothing is ever good enough tv addict downloading addict lolly addict addicted to himself....always talks about himself....i lived there for 6 months when i got back after my year in Thai...untill my tenants moved out...never will i stay there again.

[fang37]

Is the partner an Aussie Rules follower?

A lousy tipster?

If so, I want to place a very big bet.

If I lose, I will just run away - no pay.

If the above terms are satisfactory, I'm your man.

[guapo]

It’s been over four years since my request and plea to receive the Old age pension has fallen on deaf ears, all my efforts addressed to Center link, the Minister for Social Services, the Minister for Human Services, the Prime Minister, the leader of the opposition, the Commonwealth Ombudsman's Office, the Welfare Rights Network, all MPs , has been a total waste of time and efforts, all to no avail, they sure know how to pass the back, each and every one of them kept referring me to the next person……….I am beginning to wonder if nider of those Honorable personalities cannot solve or rectify this minute issue, which has huge implications on retires, how the hell can they pretend to run a country.

May be I have got it all wrong, may be its not about serving the Australian public, may be its nothing to do with politics or law making, may be is just a charade funded by the majority and rewording the minority (politicians),

I mean think about it, how have we allowed this to happen:

1- We are millions…they are a hand full, they order we jump.

2- They are like parasites, we feed them they eat. We are the assets they are the liabilities.

3- They are appointed to look after our interests, whereas we look after theirs by pampering them with, cars, chuffers, offices, super funded superannuation, joy helicopters rides, we bow in their presence in lieu of kicking their “Derrière”. , etc etc…this list could go on forever……so I won’t bother.

4- Never encountered a poor politician, while the world is full of unfortunate souls.

5- They always smile, and have a pathetic smirk on their faces, whilst ordinary people cry, suffer, become suicidal, and some faces portray a sad experience.

6- I am getting the hang of this, I guess I could go on forever, but I am going to stop…..I don’t want you to cry and despair.

EQUALITY speaks for its self, no need to look up the dictionary definition.

Some pensioners get their pensions, ( in this list are included milliners) , and others don’t, they don’t get it because of some loophole designed to frustrate, anger, control a sector of society , but they (THE POINTED HEADS AT CENTERLINK ) and government hide behind this complicated formula that some freak moron (delivered at birth by his/hers mother back end) considers it to be fair ….so how do we fight this ???? I don’t know …I have tried everything within my power.

If there is someone out there that has retained their sense of humor, has not lost his sanity, and wished to participate in this crusade, please come forward.

“PENSION” is just that “OLD AGE PENSION” ,” NO CONS OR SCAMS, IFS and BUTS OR STRINGS ATTACHED ”, the residency act should be axed, or equalized. All pensioners, either both or neither should have the same advantage or disadvantage.

The 2 year portability” Shonky business” must be scraped, CENTERLINK and government puppies please take note …you are not just insulting our intelligence… you are greatly undermining YOURS.

[simple1]

It’s been over four years since my request and plea to receive the Old age pension has fallen on deaf ears, all my efforts addressed to Center link, the Minister for Social Services, the Minister for Human Services, the Prime Minister, the leader of the opposition, the Commonwealth Ombudsman's Office, the Welfare Rights Network, all MPs , has been a total waste of time and efforts, all to no avail, they sure know how to pass the back, each and every one of them kept referring me to the next person……….I am beginning to wonder if nider of those Honorable personalities cannot solve or rectify this minute issue, which has huge implications on retires, how the hell can they pretend to run a country.

May be I have got it all wrong, may be its not about serving the Australian public, may be its nothing to do with politics or law making, may be is just a charade funded by the majority and rewording the minority (politicians),

I mean think about it, how have we allowed this to happen:

1- We are millions…they are a hand full, they order we jump.

2- They are like parasites, we feed them they eat. We are the assets they are the liabilities.

3- They are appointed to look after our interests, whereas we look after theirs by pampering them with, cars, chuffers, offices, super funded superannuation, joy helicopters rides, we bow in their presence in lieu of kicking their “Derrière”. , etc etc…this list could go on forever……so I won’t bother.

4- Never encountered a poor politician, while the world is full of unfortunate souls.

5- They always smile, and have a pathetic smirk on their faces, whilst ordinary people cry, suffer, become suicidal, and some faces portray a sad experience.

6- I am getting the hang of this, I guess I could go on forever, but I am going to stop…..I don’t want you to cry and despair.

EQUALITY speaks for its self, no need to look up the dictionary definition.

Some pensioners get their pensions, ( in this list are included milliners) , and others don’t, they don’t get it because of some loophole designed to frustrate, anger, control a sector of society , but they (THE POINTED HEADS AT CENTERLINK ) and government hide behind this complicated formula that some freak moron (delivered at birth by his/hers mother back end) considers it to be fair ….so how do we fight this ???? I don’t know …I have tried everything within my power.

If there is someone out there that has retained their sense of humor, has not lost his sanity, and wished to participate in this crusade, please come forward.

“PENSION” is just that “OLD AGE PENSION” ,” NO CONS OR SCAMS, IFS and BUTS OR STRINGS ATTACHED ”, the residency act should be axed, or equalized. All pensioners, either both or neither should have the same advantage or disadvantage.

The 2 year portability” Shonky business” must be scraped, CENTERLINK and government puppies please take note …you are not just insulting our intelligence… you are greatly undermining YOURS.

What are the grounds for refusal?

[fang37]

Send out the bounty hunter.

[guapo]

Lived in Australia for 38 straight years left the country for two years lost my residency

[fang37]

The Oz government doesn't expect much - sleep in the park for only 2 years.

[nev]

Lived in Australia for 38 straight years left the country for two years lost my residency

You lived Australia for 38 years and never got citizenship?, I moved there 35 years ago and after about 8 years I became a citizen, I should get the full pension when I retire, just hope they get rid of the 2 years crap when I retire in 9 years time.

[halloween]

The Oz government doesn't expect much - sleep in the park for only 2 years.

The 2 years residency is for portability, not for getting a pension. Most OAPs manage to afford housing.

[halloween]

There is conflicting advice, some people claim portability of the Age Pension requires an initial residence within Australia of at least 2 years while in receipt of the Age Pension, others claim you can be resident in Oz for a minimum of two years prior to claiming Aged Pension that meets the portability criteria. I would advise you to contact Centrelink International for clarity, can use Skype, on 001 800 611 4136.

Note if you no longer have any assets, bank account etc in Oz it could be a challenge to satisfy the Aged Pension residency criteria. Plan for obtaining a rental residency, Oz driving license and bank account prior to claiming. If you’re married to a Thai, have assets and so on in Thailand keep the info to yourself.

Residency info required at:

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/residence-descriptions

It takes approx 13 weeks for an Aged Pension claim to be processed.

EDIT: You can claim Aged Pension at 65

If it takes 13 weeks to process a claim, can you claim 13 weeks in advance of entitlement date? Mine is May 14, and I really don't fancy spending winter in Oz, even in Brisbane.

If not, will they process your claim while you are o/s? I am (almost) certain I meet residency requirements, as will have worked in Oz for 6 months/year for about 5 years, with all appropriate residence proofs in place, before claiming.

[simple1]

There is conflicting advice, some people claim portability of the Age Pension requires an initial residence within Australia of at least 2 years while in receipt of the Age Pension, others claim you can be resident in Oz for a minimum of two years prior to claiming Aged Pension that meets the portability criteria. I would advise you to contact Centrelink International for clarity, can use Skype, on 001 800 611 4136.

Note if you no longer have any assets, bank account etc in Oz it could be a challenge to satisfy the Aged Pension residency criteria. Plan for obtaining a rental residency, Oz driving license and bank account prior to claiming. If you’re married to a Thai, have assets and so on in Thailand keep the info to yourself.

Residency info required at:

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/residence-descriptions

It takes approx 13 weeks for an Aged Pension claim to be processed.

EDIT: You can claim Aged Pension at 65

If it takes 13 weeks to process a claim, can you claim 13 weeks in advance of entitlement date? Mine is May 14, and I really don't fancy spending winter in Oz, even in Brisbane.

If not, will they process your claim while you are o/s? I am (almost) certain I meet residency requirements, as will have worked in Oz for 6 months/year for about 5 years, with all appropriate residence proofs in place, before claiming.

Yes you can claim 13 weeks in advance of entitlement for Age Pension, but must be resident in Oz at the time of making the claim. Can you make a claim & then return overseas whilst being processed, don't know, if I were you I would contact Centrelink International and ask for confirmation by way of a written answer

Edited November 15, 2015 by simple1

[halloween]

There is conflicting advice, some people claim portability of the Age Pension requires an initial residence within Australia of at least 2 years while in receipt of the Age Pension, others claim you can be resident in Oz for a minimum of two years prior to claiming Aged Pension that meets the portability criteria. I would advise you to contact Centrelink International for clarity, can use Skype, on 001 800 611 4136.

Note if you no longer have any assets, bank account etc in Oz it could be a challenge to satisfy the Aged Pension residency criteria. Plan for obtaining a rental residency, Oz driving license and bank account prior to claiming. If you’re married to a Thai, have assets and so on in Thailand keep the info to yourself.

Residency info required at:

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/residence-descriptions

It takes approx 13 weeks for an Aged Pension claim to be processed.

EDIT: You can claim Aged Pension at 65

If it takes 13 weeks to process a claim, can you claim 13 weeks in advance of entitlement date? Mine is May 14, and I really don't fancy spending winter in Oz, even in Brisbane.

If not, will they process your claim while you are o/s? I am (almost) certain I meet residency requirements, as will have worked in Oz for 6 months/year for about 5 years, with all appropriate residence proofs in place, before claiming.

Yes you can claim 13 weeks in advance of entitlement for Age Pension, but must be resident in Oz at the time of making the claim. Can you make a claim & then return overseas whilst being processed, don't know, if I were you I would contact Centrelink International and ask for confirmation by way of a written answer

Thanks. The travelling while claim being a processed was a a last resort and probably won't be necessary.

I am currently exploring the pros and cons of returning to work for 2 months each year while receiving OAP. The cumulative work bonus would allow me to earn $6500 each year without reducing pension. Will discuss tax situation with accountant today.

[simple1]

There is conflicting advice, some people claim portability of the Age Pension requires an initial residence within Australia of at least 2 years while in receipt of the Age Pension, others claim you can be resident in Oz for a minimum of two years prior to claiming Aged Pension that meets the portability criteria. I would advise you to contact Centrelink International for clarity, can use Skype, on 001 800 611 4136.

Note if you no longer have any assets, bank account etc in Oz it could be a challenge to satisfy the Aged Pension residency criteria. Plan for obtaining a rental residency, Oz driving license and bank account prior to claiming. If you’re married to a Thai, have assets and so on in Thailand keep the info to yourself.

Residency info required at:

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/residence-descriptions

It takes approx 13 weeks for an Aged Pension claim to be processed.

EDIT: You can claim Aged Pension at 65

If it takes 13 weeks to process a claim, can you claim 13 weeks in advance of entitlement date? Mine is May 14, and I really don't fancy spending winter in Oz, even in Brisbane.

If not, will they process your claim while you are o/s? I am (almost) certain I meet residency requirements, as will have worked in Oz for 6 months/year for about 5 years, with all appropriate residence proofs in place, before claiming.

Yes you can claim 13 weeks in advance of entitlement for Age Pension, but must be resident in Oz at the time of making the claim. Can you make a claim & then return overseas whilst being processed, don't know, if I were you I would contact Centrelink International and ask for confirmation by way of a written answer

Thanks. The travelling while claim being a processed was a a last resort and probably won't be necessary.

I am currently exploring the pros and cons of returning to work for 2 months each year while receiving OAP. The cumulative work bonus would allow me to earn $6500 each year without reducing pension. Will discuss tax situation with accountant today.

Prior to making the claim you should obtain a copy of your movement records in/out of Oz from age of 16 to support the application. Record of movements dating back 30 years or more must be requested from the National Archives office. Be careful with declaring assets in Thailand.

https://www.border.gov.au/Forms/Documents/1359.pdf

Edited November 15, 2015 by simple1

[guapo]

It seems that the Centerlink “pointed heads bravados” have lost the plot, they refuse to accept the fact that a 2 year OAP portability Rule could work one way, but definitely not the other way around, example:

If an Australian citizen resided in the country for 2 years…then it’s understandable that he/she must maintain his residency for the next (let’s say) 35/40 years, before one can claim the pension.

But if an Australian citizen resided in Australia for 35/40 years …the two year portability rule is a “ FARCE” , don’t have to be a mathematician to understand this simple equation, because any one that went to “ kindergarten- varsity” will tell you that 35/40 years is FAR GREATER than TWO.

I hope I have not putt to much strain on their brains, so now my advice to the Centerlink “ MOB” BOSSES is:

“SAY YOU ARE SORRY” to the thousands of elderly Australians that you have been screwing up with, re instate their pension and never never never again come up with another bullshit story like this again.

Signed

A pensioner without a pension.

[Aussieroaming]

The first thing you need to do is determine whether or not you actually have non resident status at this present time.

[ozbrew]

I have AWL of 37 years prior to going in 2003 overseas. I returned to OZ after 9 years away at 62 in order to spend 2 years there prior to turning 65.

I was employed for short periods over those 2 years but claimed Newstart for much of the time.

Before I turned 65 last year, applied online through mygov for the OAP. I waited for about 8 weeks, turned 65

and headed overseas before the pension was granted.

Centrelink advised me to obtain the services of an accountant or agent who would act for me in OZ prior to my being granted the OAP.

The agent was contacted on a number of occasions by my case officer requesting various forms etc. He would then contact me and I would get them and email to him from O/S.

It took another 6 weeks or so, a few more emails and form sending before OAP was granted in September last year.

I now live overseas receiving the slightly reduced full rate due to portability and missing the energy supplements etc.

The plan does work if you follow what Centrelink require and you make sure they get to know you over your two years back there.

Cheerio

Edited March 29, 2016 by ozbrew

[guapo]

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