An Australian trying to retire in Thailand

[bazza40]

The OP's friend is unfortunately caught by a rule which harks back to when Australia was a penal colony. Had he been in Australia when he applied for the pension, all would have been well.

It is unfair; however, the voting bloc of Australian pensioners living overseas is not large enough to give the politicians a reason to change.

There is even some f***wit (a journalist ) who is suggesting the pension should only be paid to people resident in Australia, because the pension should be spent there. I'd spend it there if it would buy the same standard of living I have in Thailand.

[bazza40]

1 hour ago, F4UCorsair said:

 

Thanks georgemandm.

 

Further, I have Private health insurance, in addition to public, a total cost of about $80.00 a week, and a hip replacement cost me over $4000 after being paid what was due by both funds.   To a person without private health insurance, the cost is ZERO!!!

 

I'm sick to death of subsidizing  supporting those who didn't get off their butts and have a go in life.

Never let the facts get in the way of a good story.

Yes, the cost is zero for a person without private health insurance. However, it's the waiting time. I know a guy who spent 18 months in agony waiting for a hip replacement. With private cover, he could have had it done in the same month it was diagnosed.

[georgemandm]

32 minutes ago, F4UCorsair said:

Sounds like your surgeon was David Young or Jon Bare??   If neither, then one from Melbourne Orthopedic Group?

How did you know it was David young 

[georgemandm]

8 minutes ago, bazza40 said:

Never let the facts get in the way of a good story.

Yes, the cost is zero for a person without private health insurance. However, it's the waiting time. I know a guy who spent 18 months in agony waiting for a hip replacement. With private cover, he could have had it done in the same month it was diagnosed.

Yes like me 

[georgemandm]

34 minutes ago, GreasyFingers said:

Not sure if the greeks were the problem. Don't you remeber when they were having one of their 'wars' in Lebanon and about 100,000 put up their hands to be airlifted to Australia as they were "Australian pensioners"

Ok not sure but Australia was to easy to get money back them and that is why it is so hard now , but if you come on S boat you are ok haha just joking 

[Rod Gold]

"Friend" should have known this before moving to Thailand.  There are worse things than having to live in Australia for 2 years to obtain one's pension.   Like not receiving any pension at all.

[kevvy]

I was hospitalized, for 6 months and was treated by the top specialists , heart , kidney  , new hip replacement , kidney dialysis, in ICU  for 2 weeks . After 6 months I left hospital , the charge was .......$$00000000... were in the world can you get that out side of a great place like Australia .I am 62 and I will not go back there to get my pension , my taxes were not just for me they paid for many things I enjoyed while living there .  Melbourne once again "MOST LIVABLE CITY AWARD "

[Scotwight]

1 hour ago, georgemandm said:

I agree with you 1 million % 

i had my hip replace 4 years ago I had private insurance the cost was $40,000 I paid $1,500 .

were in the world can you get that out side of a great place like Australia.

not having a going at thailand but if you get sick. Here God help you . 

God didn't help me the Thai doctors did and I survived quite nicely thank you.  My insurance pays for treatment in Thailand at a top notch hospital.  It is cleaner than the States the doctors are just as good and the nurses don't require a fork lift to move them from place to place.  I get examined 4 times a year and have been for the past few years.  I'm picky and I have been very satisfied.  

[4MyEgo]

4 hours ago, georgemandm said:

It is you <deleted> , you have no idea what you are saying what the hell has a pension got to do with Australia not being a great place.

it is to stop people  routine the  System and it had been happening for the last 40 years.

so lean why it is like it before you get on here and bring me it to brain dead .

melbourne is the most  Livable city in the world.

 

No need to be so hostile in your reply to a previous post sunshine, if anyone is a little light up top its you, especially if you think anyone can live on a pension in Australia, try venting on those who are actually roarting the system.

 

The Greeks, Italians, etc etc after the 2nd world war were all told that if they worked hard and paid their taxes they would be entitled to a pension, nothing said about you had to live in Australia, so why not live overseas, perhaps the politicians should stop sticking it to us, because of their past promises, and stop giving our hard earned tax paying $'s to the majority who are weighing down the system. I know of an idiot who lives with his mum and dad and gets paid for looking after them, they are on the pension, they own a house, every Tom Dick and Harry is getting a hand out for looking after their mums and dad's, ah hello, if they have a house they shouldn't qualify, sell the house and go to a nursing home, or have your kids look after you for free, or with your pension money, for crying out loud, this turns my stomach.

 

I am 56 and won't be returning to get my pension which I am entitled too, because I know its not feasible to do so, the government is not stupid, why do you think they conduct Census nights every now and again, to load their guns, ass-holes.  Fortunately for me I am in a good position and hold my own, no inheritance or hand outs, just work hard like most and made some good decisions investment wise to now be able to survive in Thailand without having to be back in the land of slavery (Australia), recently leaving a job paying $170,000 a year, go figure. If I had to go back, the $'s I have, would buy me an average house in the St George area which is about 15km's south of Sydney, what would I survive on there, the pension, I don't think so, here, I am sitting on what I call my gravy train and wouldn't have it any other way. The Australian government has turned its back on those who worked hard, paid their taxes to be able to retire wherever they well pleased, why, because someone has to pay for their welfare system that is full of flaws, not having anything against anybody, just have a look at who they give money too and I rest my case. 

 

Melbourne for your  information was ranked 21st most expensive City to live in the world in 2015, don't believe everything you read at a glance.

 

Here's what it will cost you to live in Melbourne in AUS $'s and Thai baht https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/melbourne?currency=THB

Edited August 26, 2016 by 4MyEgo

[4MyEgo]

4 hours ago, georgemandm said:

You pay taxes to run the country not to get a pension.

you pay super to get money when you  retire and if you are not that smart to put your money in to super then you will get a hand out .

but the government do it like this because people have been ripping the  System off for years so that is why he will have to go back and sorry for your friend .

but people should not get on here and blame the Australia government for try to stop the ones who don't put in and take the money out after just 4 or 10 years of work in Australia.

 

What a load of crap, the government could easily say, anyone who has worked for X amount of years gets the pension, you having only worked for 10 years gets x amount, simple maths, but easier to round them all up and make a one rule policy, isn't it mate ?

[4MyEgo]

4 hours ago, dhream said:

You CAN take them to court and you CAN win. Luckily, it's not the Thai system, and Judges are beholden to the law of the land, not the parasites in the house on the grassy knoll.

I say again, we should organize and have a crack at the bastards, if anything the underdog gets a fair hearing in Oz, you have to at least concede that.

What have we got to lose in a no fee no win situation. The govt pays costs and pensions if they lose, we pay nada either way...

Sent from my HUAWEI MT7-TL10 using Tapatalk
 

 

You would never find a lawyer prepared to take this massive case on a no win, no fee basis and it would take years to get a decision, nice dreaming though

 

[Agent Sumo]

3 hours ago, georgemandm said:

 

were in the world can you get that out side of a great place like Australia.

not having a going at thailand but if you get sick. Here God help you . 

 Where in the world? Great Britain, that's where

 

I know two expats who got sick in Thailand. They had health insurance. They got sorted. Didn't cost them any extra

Edited August 26, 2016 by Agent Sumo

[georgemandm]

38 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

 

What a load of crap, the government could easily say, anyone who has worked for X amount of years gets the pension, you having only worked for 10 years gets x amount, simple maths, but easier to round them all up and make a one rule policy, isn't it mate ?

First your not my mate ok .

you have know idea how it all works ok , taxes are not for a pension get it .

taxes are to run the country.

super has now taken over and people had chance to put more money in to super in the last 30 years but did not want to .

so they miss out on have a great income from super .

[4MyEgo]

10 minutes ago, georgemandm said:

First your not my mate ok .

you have know idea how it all works ok , taxes are not for a pension get it .

taxes are to run the country.

super has now taken over and people had chance to put more money in to super in the last 30 years but did not want to .

so they miss out on have a great income from super .

 

Ok George, figure of speech.

 

Yes taxes are to run the country and pay politicians enormous amounts of money to screw over xpats, tell me George, why have a pension then ?

 

Yes people have had a chance to put money away for super, and they are still entitled to a pension.

 

If anything, it is you George that doesn't get it and a couple of more people on this post, not only my opinion, it would appear, suffice to say that majority wins, too bad its not that simple to overturn the misrepresentation that the government has made to its xpats.

 

As we are all entitled to our opinions, its not going to change anything soon, just a point, majority wins, get it ?

Edited August 26, 2016 by 4MyEgo

[georgemandm]

1 hour ago, 4MyEgo said:

 

No need to be so hostile in your reply to a previous post sunshine, if anyone is a little light up top its you, especially if you think anyone can live on a pension in Australia, try venting on those who are actually roarting the system.

 

The Greeks, Italians, etc etc after the 2nd world war were all told that if they worked hard and paid their taxes they would be entitled to a pension, nothing said about you had to live in Australia, so why not live overseas, perhaps the politicians should stop sticking it to us, because of their past promises, and stop giving our hard earned tax paying $'s to the majority who are weighing down the system. I know of an idiot who lives with his mum and dad and gets paid for looking after them, they are on the pension, they own a house, every Tom Dick and Harry is getting a hand out for looking after their mums and dad's, ah hello, if they have a house they shouldn't qualify, sell the house and go to a nursing home, or have your kids look after you for free, or with your pension money, for crying out loud, this turns my stomach.

 

I am 56 and won't be returning to get my pension which I am entitled too, because I know its not feasible to do so, the government is not stupid, why do you think they conduct Census nights every now and again, to load their guns, ass-holes.  Fortunately for me I am in a good position and hold my own, no inheritance or hand outs, just work hard like most and made some good decisions investment wise to now be able to survive in Thailand without having to be back in the land of slavery (Australia), recently leaving a job paying $170,000 a year, go figure. If I had to go back, the $'s I have, would buy me an average house in the St George area which is about 15km's south of Sydney, what would I survive on there, the pension, I don't think so, here, I am sitting on what I call my gravy train and wouldn't have it any other way. The Australian government has turned its back on those who worked hard, paid their taxes to be able to retire wherever they well pleased, why, because someone has to pay for their welfare system that is full of flaws, not having anything against anybody, just have a look at who they give money too and I rest my case. 

 

Melbourne for your  information was ranked 21st most expensive City to live in the world in 2015, don't believe everything you read at a glance.

 

Here's what it will cost you to live in Melbourne in AUS $'s and Thai baht https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/melbourne?currency=THB

You are joking are you .

if not for that great country Australia you would not be in thailand would you . 

I know of pension who live in Melbourne very well and saver good money every month so you have know idea what you are saying.

have you live in Melbourne I would think not , I live like a King in Melbourne.

Melbourne is the most  Livable city in the world, we are talking about cost .

the government changed the laws on pension to stop the the money going over seas for just short team works ok .

and the Greeks 40 years ago we bringing they age mums and dads to Australia for free pensions and the  parents we 65 years old .

how stupid was the government back then that's why it is so hard now .

You are the one who is light up top not me I know what I talking about, not talk sh?? Like you .

[alofthailand]

just live there with an address and bills but don't stay there. You do not have to present yourself at the police station every month do you? Be resident but travel extensively. Many brits return to UK and have a UK address to keep their NHS treatment

 

Edited August 26, 2016 by alofthailand

[aussieinthailand]

2 hours ago, Rod Gold said:

"Friend" should have known this before moving to Thailand.  There are worse things than having to live in Australia for 2 years to obtain one's pension.   Like not receiving any pension at all.

And you are?  and qualify you comment?  Although I agree with this comment, but back up is good and why the age of entitlement is over, Joe Hokkey, after some of us played by the rules for years , "we will look after you"  pay your taxes and it's all good, meanwhile our super is raped, and taxed AGIAN,  double tax which is a crime in it's self...........  As Jesus said regarding taxes paid to Caesar,  You hypocrites, why do you try to trap me?  Who's portrait is on the coin?  pay to Creaser what is his.,  the quote goe's on but I'm sure you understand,

The Australian government has reneged on it's policy to take care of those who paid to them for security...

Edited August 26, 2016 by aussieinthailand

[georgemandm]

26 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

 

Ok George, figure of speech.

 

Yes taxes are to run the country and pay politicians enormous amounts of money to screw over xpats, tell me George, why have a pension then ?

 

Yes people have had a chance to put money away for super, and they are still entitled to a pension.

 

If anything, it is you George that doesn't get it and a couple of more people on this post, not only my opinion, it would appear, suffice to say that majority wins, too bad its not that simple to overturn the misrepresentation that the government has made to its xpats.

 

As we are all entitled to our opinions, its not going to change anything soon, just a point, majority wins, get it ?

Not care to tell you the truth what people think  on TV ok .

And yes the government dose f??? Things up I understand that .

but if not for Australia I couldn't go to thailand and have the life I have now and the same goes for you I would think .

to tell you the truth if I had to  depend on a pension to live in thailand I would not come here at all .

i have work very hard in my life to be pension free and no help from anyone but do you see me get on here and blame the Australia government no .

do you not understand Australia is the lucky country I think not .

i have paid lots of taxes but you  guess what I not care , my kids go to a great school have great  opportunities to have a great life back home and if not for my taxes and your taxes we Australia would be like country who are poor .

i can't put up with people like you , having a go at my great country Australia you need to wake up and see how lucky you are to have had the opportunity to have work in Australia , so that you can have a good life out side of Australia.

and it is not about winning it is about how you and me can thank god we were so lucky to be Aussie.

 

[georgemandm]

8 minutes ago, aussieinthailand said:

And you are?  and qualify you comment?  Although I agree with this comment, but back up is good and why the age of entitlement is over, Joe Hokkey, after some of us played by the rules for years , "we will look after you"  pay your taxes and it's all good, meanwhile our super is raped, and taxed AGIAN,  double tax which is a crime in it's self...........

Not understand what you mean by super being reped .

i not have a problem with my super you most be in the wrong super fund .

you can earn up to 2 million from your super before you get tax at 15 % .

not bad if you fund turns over 8% a year that is $160,000 tax free money.

then it is tax at 15% .

and then you pay $12,000 on your next $80,000 so I would not complain.

[smotherb]

10 hours ago, georgemandm said:

It is you <deleted> , you have no idea what you are saying what the hell has a pension got to do with Australia not being a great place.

it is to stop people  routine the  System and it had been happening for the last 40 years.

so lean why it is like it before you get on here and bring me it to brain dead .

melbourne is the most  Livable city in the world.

I suspect to enjoy the livability of Melbourne you'd have to live there; gee, might that even be extended to all of OZ.

[lvr181]

11 hours ago, F4UCorsair said:

 

 

Never mind that he never contributed to a personal pension fund and now expects the government to keep him for the rest of his life, on an increasing pension, never contributing another cent via GST, never contributing to keeping another Australian in a job through spending locally, because it will all be spent out of the country.

 

If it's a dog food pension, why would he be interested?

 

The rate of tax is high, but not as high as many countries, and how many countries will provide you with free medical services, hip replacement $25,000, heart surgery $60,000, etc.  My partner pays over $150,000 in tax a year, and the only benefit she will ever receive is medication for an ongoing serious condition that costs the taxpayer $3000 a month, and for which she pays $36.00 a month, but even a person paying NO tax is entitled.  My view on that is that the more one contributes, the more one is entitled to in government services.  If you contribute little, you receive little....what's unfair about that?

 

Japan is an advanced, civilized country, but when I was working there, one of my colleagues was telling me that every yen her family members generated went to keeping her  brother, who had cancer, alive, with no government assistance.

 

Your friend may not be a social burden on the Australian government right now, but how many TV members, by their own admissions here on these pages,  go back to their home countries in their old age for free/low cost medical services, after contributing nothing of their taxpayer funded pension for years in Thailand....too many.

 

Paying tax should not be an entitlement to a pension for life.  Tax receipts are for running the country, the costs of government.

 

I paid a LOT more tax than most during my working life, provided for myself, never drawn a cent in government funding, and will never be entitled to anything in my retirement.  Comparing with somebody who earned an average income, based on relative contributions, I should be entitled to a pension of $100,000 pa.

 

I find it offensive that people believe that because they paid tax they are entitled to a pension, dog food pension though it may be, for the rest of their lives.  It's conceivable that because somebody has worked in a menial job for a lifetime, paid little tax, and the effects of inflation, they will receive, via a pension, EVERY  cent they ever contributed in the first few years of retirement, and be kept by the next generation/s of taxpayers.

 

That is OFFENSIVE!!  It's why the treasurer has said the 'age of entitlement' is finished, as it should be.

 

1337markus, they have you snookered just as those drawing a pension and living overseas have future generations of taxpayers snookered.

 

" the treasurer has said the 'age of entitlement' is finished,"  Politicians entitlements ARE NEVER finished.

I have to ask "Were you a politician?"

[F4UCorsair]

1 hour ago, lvr181 said:

" the treasurer has said the 'aghn of entitlement' is finished,"  Politicians entitlements ARE NEVER finished.

I have to ask "Were you a politician?"

 

Never a politician, and If you read my other posts you'll see I condemn them for having their snouts In the public purse.

 

 

[georgemandm]

4 hours ago, smotherb said:

I suspect to enjoy the livability of Melbourne you'd have to live there; gee, might that even be extended to all of OZ.

I do live there and love the place.

not care about the rest of Australia just Melbourne.

you see I can live in Melbourne and thailand not like some  of the men here who sell the lot to come to live in thailand for the thai pussy .

Then lose the lot when it all turns to S??? And have no home to go back to .

and I not need a government pension to live out my life .

 

[aussieinthailand]

16 hours ago, F4UCorsair said:

 

 

Never mind that he never contributed to a personal pension fund and now expects the government to keep him for the rest of his life, on an increasing pension, never contributing another cent via GST, never contributing to keeping another Australian in a job through spending locally, because it will all be spent out of the country.

 

If it's a dog food pension, why would he be interested?

 

The rate of tax is high, but not as high as many countries, and how many countries will provide you with free medical services, hip replacement $25,000, heart surgery $60,000, etc.  My partner pays over $150,000 in tax a year, and the only benefit she will ever receive is medication for an ongoing serious condition that costs the taxpayer $3000 a month, and for which she pays $36.00 a month, but even a person paying NO tax is entitled.  My view on that is that the more one contributes, the more one is entitled to in government services.  If you contribute little, you receive little....what's unfair about that?

 

Japan is an advanced, civilized country, but when I was working there, one of my colleagues was telling me that every yen her family members generated went to keeping her  brother, who had cancer, alive, with no government assistance.

 

Your friend may not be a social burden on the Australian government right now, but how many TV members, by their own admissions here on these pages,  go back to their home countries in their old age for free/low cost medical services, after contributing nothing of their taxpayer funded pension for years in Thailand....too many.

 

Paying tax should not be an entitlement to a pension for life.  Tax receipts are for running the country, the costs of government.

 

I paid a LOT more tax than most during my working life, provided for myself, never drawn a cent in government funding, and will never be entitled to anything in my retirement.  Comparing with somebody who earned an average income, based on relative contributions, I should be entitled to a pension of $100,000 pa.

 

I find it offensive that people believe that because they paid tax they are entitled to a pension, dog food pension though it may be, for the rest of their lives.  It's conceivable that because somebody has worked in a menial job for a lifetime, paid little tax, and the effects of inflation, they will receive, via a pension, EVERY  cent they ever contributed in the first few years of retirement, and be kept by the next generation/s of taxpayers.

 

That is OFFENSIVE!!  It's why the treasurer has said the 'age of entitlement' is finished, as it should be.

 

1337markus, they have you snookered just as those drawing a pension and living overseas have future generations of taxpayers snookered.

 

Well aren

 

16 hours ago, F4UCorsair said:

 

 

Never mind that he never contributed to a personal pension fund and now expects the government to keep him for the rest of his life, on an increasing pension, never contributing another cent via GST, never contributing to keeping another Australian in a job through spending locally, because it will all be spent out of the country.

 

If it's a dog food pension, why would he be interested?

 

The rate of tax is high, but not as high as many countries, and how many countries will provide you with free medical services, hip replacement $25,000, heart surgery $60,000, etc.  My partner pays over $150,000 in tax a year, and the only benefit she will ever receive is medication for an ongoing serious condition that costs the taxpayer $3000 a month, and for which she pays $36.00 a month, but even a person paying NO tax is entitled.  My view on that is that the more one contributes, the more one is entitled to in government services.  If you contribute little, you receive little....what's unfair about that?

 

Japan is an advanced, civilized country, but when I was working there, one of my colleagues was telling me that every yen her family members generated went to keeping her  brother, who had cancer, alive, with no government assistance.

 

Your friend may not be a social burden on the Australian government right now, but how many TV members, by their own admissions here on these pages,  go back to their home countries in their old age for free/low cost medical services, after contributing nothing of their taxpayer funded pension for years in Thailand....too many.

 

Paying tax should not be an entitlement to a pension for life.  Tax receipts are for running the country, the costs of government.

 

I paid a LOT more tax than most during my working life, provided for myself, never drawn a cent in government funding, and will never be entitled to anything in my retirement.  Comparing with somebody who earned an average income, based on relative contributions, I should be entitled to a pension of $100,000 pa.

 

I find it offensive that people believe that because they paid tax they are entitled to a pension, dog food pension though it may be, for the rest of their lives.  It's conceivable that because somebody has worked in a menial job for a lifetime, paid little tax, and the effects of inflation, they will receive, via a pension, EVERY  cent they ever contributed in the first few years of retirement, and be kept by the next generation/s of taxpayers.

 

That is OFFENSIVE!!  It's why the treasurer has said the 'age of entitlement' is finished, as it should be.

 

1337markus, they have you snookered just as those drawing a pension and living overseas have future generations of taxpayers snookered.

 

Well you are a lucky one indeed,  you have paid large amounts in tax,   your partner pay's over $150,000 in tax per year, ok cool, then by those numbers mate you and your partner were on some fairly bloody good coin yeah, had a fairly comfortable life, traveled, etc.

So yu'p you should have been able to afford to provide for your future after retirement, fair call?  Now for most of us already retired or close to retirement didn't quite have the money you and your partner proclaim to have, and more likely to have been in the low to middle in-come bracket and so worked hard for it.

"We all know were it's at though it usually depends on from were you start."  example, not having to worry how much the grocery's cost.

Some of us started without the advantages others had,  money for Uni, others had to stop their education because they like to eat and have a roof over their heads so higher education was not possible therefor a high income also not possible, and as a result self funded retirement also not possible, which I fell into the last category.  Then the government started the 9% compulsory super anuation, great a little something for the future. So in your mind, you have paid in a 'LOT" so you should get back a "LOT"  But hey you already have self funded your retirement so no need to pull on the government's purse lucky you, that's not to say you didn't work hard or make sacrifices either, we all have. But as I said most of us didn't make a six figure salary so most of us will want to have access to a pension as promised by government and the amount in taxes paid will not be eaten up in a few years as you claim. Considering the coast of a loaf of bread and a bottle of milk 30 years ago and the average wage 30 years ago and the value of the dollar now yeah man it's relative, I wonder if you ever had to worry about the cost of the grocery's?  

In my case never sick so only time in hospital was at birth,  then public school to which books uniforms excursions were not tax payer funded so a minimum of tax spent on me as I had no choice but to leave school so I and family could eat and pay the rent, but hey

I have paid my taxes and paid the politicians their HIGH salary's with added perc's and access to super funds that the average citizen is deigned.  How many X poly's out there that spend years over sea living and still have access to their tax payer funded perc's?

So yu'p  

It's OFFENSIVE!! that those that had the luck to have access to a higher education and a higher income turn around and belittle those that did not have the advantages as they did and claiming they should not have a pension for the years of taxes they paid in. Disgusting...

[ozzydom]

Four pages of fallacy with a few facts thrown in.

Australian pension requirements are simple and easy to follow .

The continual reference to paying taxes is not part of the requirement and is only applicable to the superannuation component.

The simple rule is that you must have been a resident of Oz for minimum ten years during your working age period and a full time resident during the immediate two years at time of application (65th birthday)

Alternatively you can return to Oz on or about your 65th  and reside there for the following two years to obtain portability of pension.

Either way your pension will be paid from your 65th birthday

If after you gain portability you choose to live overseas ,all you lose from your entitlements .are the travel ,allowance,rent assistance phone and electric subsidies and of course after a period your medicare.

The current pension as at 20/03 2016 was $21,225 aud per annum for pensioners living outside Oz.or roughly 45,000 baht per month.

Centrelink pays all costs to transfer into your overseas account.

[mydee]

16 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

I regret to say what your friend has been told, and what most of the other posts here have noted, is correct.  He can check the CentreLink webpage to see if the value of his current assets diallow him from getting the age pension, and how much of the pension he could potentially receive, if he goes back to Australia to live for 2 years.

 

While I am in partial agreement with F4UCorsair, I cannot totally agree.

 

Before I retired early and relocated here, I sold my house in Australia.  The money I received from the sale of the house made me ineligible for the age penion.  My savings and super pension are adequate, in my case.

 

Having said that, and here is my partial disagreement with F4UCorsair; I have many friends in Australia struggling to survive on the age pension.  They had low income jobs for most of their lives, some were lucky to purchase a modest dwelling during their working lives, some were not; and importantly, some were never required to contribute to a superannuanation scheme.  Should these people, who are say the bottom 10-20 percent income bracket, be disallowed the age pension?  That is why the pension is means tested.

 

The age of entitlement?  What do the world's religious texts tell about charity and helping those worse off than us?  Yes, the age of entitlement should be over for the politicians, for the Packers and Murdochs and Turnbulls, and those who have, say, over A$1 million in convertable assets.  But not for the hard working poorer Australians who built our great country.

 

 

F4UCorsair

But when those receiving Government handouts are doing better than those who prepared for their own retirement then something is seriously wrong. For example to provide the equivalent of an old age pension to someone aged 65 could cost  nearly $1 million dollars.

Then to deny the pension to someone who has been an Australian resident all their life and moved overseas to retire is dastardly.

[bazza40]

11 hours ago, Agent Sumo said:

 Where in the world? Great Britain, that's where

 

I know two expats who got sick in Thailand. They had health insurance. They got sorted. Didn't cost them any extra

Try getting health insurance in Thailand when you are over 70. The cost is ruinous, even if you can get it. Any pre-existing conditions will be automatically excluded.

[mydee]

18 minutes ago, aussieinthailand said:

Well aren

 

Well you are a lucky one indeed,  you have paid large amounts in tax,   your partner pay's over $150,000 in tax per year, ok cool, then by those numbers mate you and your partner were on some fairly bloody good coin yeah, had a fairly comfortable life, traveled, etc.

So yu'p you should have been able to afford to provide for your future after retirement, fair call?  Now for most of us already retired or close to retirement didn't quite have the money you and your partner proclaim to have, and more likely to have been in the low to middle in-come bracket and so worked hard for it.

"We all know were it's at though it usually depends on from were you start."  example, not having to worry how much the grocery's cost.

Some of us started without the advantages others had,  money for Uni, others had to stop their education because they like to eat and have a roof over their heads so higher education was not possible therefor a high income also not possible, and as a result self funded retirement also not possible, which I fell into the last category.  Then the government started the 9% compulsory super anuation, great a little something for the future. So in your mind, you have paid in a 'LOT" so you should get back a "LOT"  But hey you already have self funded your retirement so no need to pull on the government's purse lucky you, that's not to say you didn't work hard or make sacrifices either, we all have. But as I said most of us didn't make a six figure salary so most of us will want to have access to a pension as promised by government and the amount in taxes paid will not be eaten up in a few years as you claim. Considering the coast of a loaf of bread and a bottle of milk 30 years ago and the average wage 30 years ago and the value of the dollar now yeah man it's relative, I wonder if you ever had to worry about the cost of the grocery's?  

In my case never sick so only time in hospital was at birth,  then public school to which books uniforms excursions were not tax payer funded so a minimum of tax spent on me as I had no choice but to leave school so I and family could eat and pay the rent, but hey

I have paid my taxes and paid the politicians their HIGH salary's with added perc's and access to super funds that the average citizen is deigned.  How many X poly's out there that spend years over sea living and still have access to their tax payer funded perc's?

So yu'p  

It's OFFENSIVE!! that those that had the luck to have access to a higher education and a higher income turn around and belittle those that did not have the advantages as they did and claiming they should not have a pension for the years of taxes they paid in. Disgusting...

Higher education is not always a matter of luck some of us had to do it and our final secondary school at night. so your assumptions are pretty offensive too.

[1337markus]

Centrelink is an agency where I'm pretty sure senior executives get bonuses on their ability to reduce outlays. They  tend not to publicise policies that could impact on an applicant's eligibility or amount of pension; it's actually  in their interests that possible beneficiaries don't know. 

 

Maybe it's no surprise that I have found them opaque when it comes to giving out information. I prefer to google online and then double check by going into a Centrelink office and talking to them. 

 

 

Good article Dundas.

 

Adding to my above comment on Perth CentreLink. Yes they are reluctant to give information freely; ask them a personal comment " what do they think" you get "no comment". However, it becomes more challenging; there is no consistency in their practices and statements across the country. A trip to Adelaide's CentreLink after Perth drew different responses again; so what maybe mai dii in Perth is OK in Adelaide. Just like one big dysfunctional family. The current Treasurer is in hot water over tax etc and is about to slash payments to many needy people including Pensioners; so I expect more pain rather than gain.  CentreLink you have a brothers-in arms in Thailand its called Immigration. Just to finish my narrative. If you are not regarded as an Australian citizen by the ATO ( once you have no Australian address) then any tax issues are compounded the $18, 000free tax threshold disappears. My tax agent stated that I would need to pay the ATO a four figure amount annually.  He also knows that I travel a bit each year and also warned me any monies earned in other countries; as an Australian citizen you are obligated by the ATO to inform them and pay tax on that amount ( cant imagine other countries doing this act). This has been checked as a colleague who lives and works and employed in Singapore ( Australian; his family lives in Perth) has a 34% debt of tax to the ATO every pay day.

[bazza40]

1 hour ago, georgemandm said:

I do live there and love the place.

not care about the rest of Australia just Melbourne.

you see I can live in Melbourne and thailand not like some  of the men here who sell the lot to come to live in thailand for the thai pussy .

Then lose the lot when it all turns to S??? And have no home to go back to .

and I not need a government pension to live out my life .

 

George, I'm ex-Melbourne. From May through to September, Melbourne is unliveable with the rain and wind-chill.

As for Thai pussy, I'd much rather look at it than what you see in overwhelming numbers at any supermarket or shopping mall in Melbourne. Fat ugly slugs, even the young ones. Ugh.

I can live in Melbourne in very modest circumstances with my assets and a part-pension.Why should I, when I live very well here?