Claiming Australia aged pension - advice?

[4MyEgo]

17 minutes ago, BaiLao said:

"... change happening on 1 January 2017 which you might be up to speed with ? "

 

Care to elaborate?

 

Read from background:

 

Schedule 1 - Proportional payment of pensions outside Australia Schedule 1 - Proportional payment of pensions outside Australia Summary From 1 January 2017 or,

in the event that the Act receives Royal Assent after 1 October 2016, on the first 1 January, 1 April, 1 July or 1 October after Royal Assent,

this Schedule reduces from 26 weeks to six weeks the period during which age pension, and a small number of other payments with unlimited portability,

can be paid outside Australia at the basic means-tested rate. After six weeks, payment will be adjusted according to the length of the pensioner's Australian working life residence.

 

Background:

 

This Schedule affects the rate of pension paid to age pension recipients and a limited number of disability support pension, wife pension and widow B pension recipients who have unlimited portability.

The amendments will reduce from 26 weeks to six weeks the period of absence from Australia after which a pension recipient's payment is proportionalised.

After six weeks, payment will be adjusted according to the length of the pensioner's Australian working life residence.

To retain their basic means-tested rate while overseas, a person needs 35 years' working life residence in Australia.

Working life residence is calculated based upon the period beginning when the person turns 16 and ending when the person reaches pension age (point 1221-B1 of the Social Security Act).

If a person's period of Australian working life residence is less than 35 years, their individual rate of pension after six weeks will be adjusted according to their years of working life residence.

The measure will reinforce and strengthen the residence-based nature of Australia's social security system.

After a six-week absence, payment will be based on the length of time a person has resided in Australia during their working life.

The measure does not affect the length of the portability period, which continues to be unlimited. However, the rate received after a six-week absence may change.

The amendments will commence from 1 January 2017 or, in the event that the Act receives Royal Assent after 1 October 2016, on the first 1 January, 1 April, 1 July or 1 October after Royal Assent,

but will only apply to absences starting on or after commencement.

 

Pensioners who are overseas on the commencement date will continue to be allowed the full 26-week period of absence before their payment is potentially reduced.

 

 

[AlexRRR]

4MyEgo......the way the website is written its confusing unless your a lawyer for something like that, i got caught on something early on, my interpretation of what was written, much later by accident i came across it somewhere else only to learn what i though Centrelink Lingo meant was incorrect...

 

You are placing incorrect info here, do what i did and pay to see or talk or if overseas can do via email to an independent centrelink specialist on your particular issue.

 

Once you are granted the age pension it is transportable once that 2 year period is up, you can and should  notify centrelink you will reside overseas....no issue, they will and do, if you want, have your payments logged in a bank account of your choice in the country you reside in, if you travel for more than 6 weeks you loose the supplement attached to your pension payment only.

 

The 26 weeks out off the country I'm not sure of, i dout you would loose your payments any how its all about planning, not to hard a thing to do..

 

I just learned if i wanted to live in Thailand i could rent my place out in AU, id loose the supplement get a drop in pension but id end up 3 to $400 better off a month  which would cover my rent in Thailand...That was from the finical arm of centrelink had the calculations done on 2 seperate occasions to verify...

 

Centrelink are not out to screw you me us there just following what governments legislate, once people can get that in there head and take a new stance on everything centrelink will work with you to achieve the best result for you.

 

 

Edited December 7, 2016 by AlexRRR

[BaiLao]

AlexRRR: "That was from the finical arm of centrelink"

 

I'd appreciate it if you could post the contact address for this department.

Thank you,

[simple1]

On 06/12/2016 at 9:49 PM, 4MyEgo said:

In short and from my own interpretation, if you have worked for less than 35 years in Australia and exit the country, your pension will be cut after 6 weeks out of the country instead of the current 26 weeks, your pension will then be on a pro-rata basis. 

 

However this does not apply if you have worked for more than 35 years, it gets cut down after 26 week away.

 

Again, this is only from my own interpretation, but feel free to have a go yourself.

 

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/bill_em/sslarb2016482/memo_0.html

 

My understanding is amendment legislation was not enacted. From the relevant Oz Govt website "not proceeding"As it is an important matter someone may like to cross check and advise.

 

http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_LEGislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5580

 

[AlexRRR]

17 hours ago, BaiLao said:

AlexRRR: "That was from the finical arm of centrelink"

 

I'd appreciate it if you could post the contact address for this department.

Thank you,

 

There isn't a link i know of...though I'm sure they exist, i was told about it by a friend who had used it, you can visit a centrelink centre or phone centrelink for an appointment to speak to one of there financial advisors, first time i went in to one of there offices 3 months later when i wanted to verify i made a call 30 min on hold, only needing to know about one issue i was transferred to an advisor and spoke over the phone.

 

But gentleman 5 years before retiring i sought out an independent advisor who set me on the road to qualify, its all about planing your future and knowing your rights....

 

As i said earlier the website is full of mumbo jumbo, i use to end up scratching my head so i dont bother to read it anymore.....

[4MyEgo]

3 hours ago, simple1 said:

 

My understanding is amendment legislation was not enacted. From the relevant Oz Govt website "not proceeding"As it is an important matter someone may like to cross check and advise.

 

http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_LEGislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5580

 

 

If its not enacted, then that's brilliant news, suffice to say do you think the bastards will try it again ?

[simple1]

2 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

 

If its not enacted, then that's brilliant news, suffice to say do you think the bastards will try it again ?

 

As I said worth cross checking. However, if not then don't think Turnbull govt would get through the Senate in current term

[heybuz]

Age Pension portability under threat

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<div class="dateBox">1st Feb 2016</div> Debbie McTaggart

Proposed legislation to change the portability of the Age Pension for those travelling overseas will be discussed in Parliament this week, when the Senate committee examining the change delivers its report.

The change will reduce from 26 weeks to six weeks, the period that an Age Pension recipient can be outside Australia before their payment is affected.

Currently, an Age Pension recipient can be out of Australia for 26 weeks before their payment is subjected to a working life residency test. This test requires the recipient to have lived in Australia for 35 years after the age of 16 before they can receive the full amount of their Age Pension. Any less than this and the payment is pro rata.

Age Pension recipients who travel overseas to a country with which Australia has an International Social Security Agreement should be able to retain their full payment under such agreements. 

 

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For those who have lived in Australia for the required time, or who do not travel overseas, the proposed change will not be relevant. But for those who plan to retire overseas or visit family living in another country, the financial penalty could be prohibitive.

The legislation, which is part of the 2015/16 Federal Budget measures, is expected to save the Government $168 million over four years and is due to commence from 1 January 2017, the same date that sees sweeping changes to the asset thresholds and taper rates for Age Pensions. However, migrant and refugee groups, along with the Australian Council of Social Services are urging the Government to consider the effect it will have on those who still have family living overseas. It is estimated that 40 per cent of those on the Age Pension were born overseas. 

A spokesperson for Social Services Minister Christian Porter said that all countries in which a person has lived should meet the costs of retirement. “It is the expectation that where a person has spent a proportion of their working life overseas, they will be eligible to receive a pension from that country.”

The Refugee Council of Australia has made a submission to the Senate inquiry into the change and notes that any such measure will greatly affect the refugee community as they often flee from countries because of “persecution at the hands of the government”, do not have the necessary paperwork to prove their eligibility or come from a country that does not have a stable social security system.

Shadow Minister for Families and Payments, Jenny Macklin, said Labor would oppose this measure, as it will affect “thousands of migrant pensioners.” "These pensioners have worked hard their whole lives. They deserve our support in retirement," Mrs Macklin commented.

Read more at TheAge.com.au

 

Opinion: A change for the better?

Perhaps with good reason, there has been little comment about the Government’s proposed changes to Age Pension portability for those planning to head overseas.

Whenever a change to the Age Pension that will financially affect recipients is proposed, the argument that the payment is one that Australians are entitled to given the years they have worked and paid taxes is often used to attack such measures. This is exactly what the working life residency rule does; it ensures that those who have fully contributed to the social security system get the full benefit, and those who partly contribute, get paid accordingly.

And no one is essentially griping about such a rule, just the timeframe at which it will be applied. While reducing the time a person can be absent from Australia from 26 weeks to six weeks seems extreme, it’s worth remembering that the payment being made is an Australian Age Pension. It’s not a payment meant to fund lifestyles overseas or extended travel, but rather support those who do not have the savings to fund their own retirement.

While I can see an argument for extending the period in certain circumstances, such as a sick relative overseas or an extended illness of the person travelling, a reduction in the time one can spend outside Australia before their Age Pension is recalculated is warranted. If you have moved to Australia for a better life, but decide that life no longer suits and you wish to be somewhere else, then you simply can’t expect the Australian Government to continue paying you regardless.

Do you agree with the change? Or will you be adversely affected by the changed timeframe for applying the working life residency? If six weeks is not long enough, how many weeks would you recommend?

 

[BaiLao]

Here are some contact details for Centrelink, freely available on the net:

Centrelink International Services

Write to us:

International Services
PO BOX 7809
Canberra BC ACT 2610

Fax us on 03 6222 2799 within Australia  or +61 3 6222 2799 from outside Australia.

[BaiLao]

"If six weeks is not long enough, how many weeks would you recommend?"  How long is a nebulous argument?

[georgemandm]

On 26/10/2016 at 4:27 PM, pngmk said:

Isn't it 10 years residency now before claiming the OAP as well as 35 years in country since 16? What about missionaries and charity workers who spent their working lives overseas on nothing?  Man I hate the country Australia has become (and it will become a lot worse in the years ahead I fear). 

You hate Australia , then do go back , do get the old age  pension and stay in thailand that is all I can say .

we who love Australia don't have a problem and their is 25 million people who love the place. 

[georgemandm]

On 06/12/2016 at 6:23 PM, 4MyEgo said:

 

I have been making this noise for about a year now, with a bit of Briticism from those that don't want to face the music, there is also change happening on 1 January 2017 which you might be up to speed with ? 

No need to be up to speed on 1 January 2017 if you have less then $500,0000 in  assets out side your home .

Dose not change at all , just if you have more then $500,000 you will lose your part  pension .

[georgemandm]

On 06/12/2016 at 6:32 PM, 4MyEgo said:

 

I agree with you, but its 2 years residency before you apply for the pension, irregardless of how may years you have worked, although you must have a minimum 10 years working life in AUS to get the pension on a pro-rata basis, if you have 35 years, your on the home run, providing you take the pension at OAP age, or if overseas like me, return 2 years prior to the OAP age and apply, proving you are living there, and have been reinstated as a resident after 6 months, getting your Medicare card back, showing of lease, utitlity bills etc etc for the past 2 years, and once you have it, take off again, that is if they don't change that as well, loop holes are there to be closed, its only a matter of time.

That is why the old age  pension should not go overseas because of you 

[halloween]

On 14/12/2016 at 1:46 AM, georgemandm said:

That is why the old age  pension should not go overseas because of you 

Give me a good reason why the OAP, funded for many years by a tax increase, should not be available to citizens who wish to lie o/s.

[SaintLouisBlues]

13 minutes ago, halloween said:

Give me a good reason why the OAP, funded for many years by a tax increase, should not be available to citizens who wish to lie o/s.

What has the funding got to do with it? Taxes paid in prior years are not contributions to some sort of pension "pot". Pensions are funded out of this year's taxes by those who are paying this year's taxes. As I recall Kiwis lose their government pension if they live overseas unless they're living in a country that has a reciprocal agreement with NZ. There's a very respectable argument to be made that since this year's taxpayers are paying this year's pensioners, the payments should only be going to those who choose to live in the same country as those taxpayers

Edited December 20, 2016 by SaintLouisBlues

[halloween]

12 minutes ago, SaintLouisBlues said:

What has the funding got to do with it? Taxes paid in prior years are not contributions to some sort of pension "pot". Pensions are funded out of this year's taxes by those who are paying this year's taxes. As I recall Kiwis lose their government pension if they live overseas unless they're living in a country that has a reciprocal agreement with NZ. There's a very respectable argument to be made that since this year's taxpayers are paying this year's pensioners, the payments should only be going to those who choose to live in the same country as those taxpayers

Are you ignorant of the fact that substantial tax increases were introduced to fund a promised OAP? I don't give a toss about government mismanagement, or who is currently funding it, I want the pension I was promised and which I have made tax contributions for over my working life.

BTW kiwis are allowed 6 months o/s each year while on their OAP.

BTWyour argument that I should be forced to live in the same country as taxpayers is fatuous at best.

Edited December 20, 2016 by halloween

[SaintLouisBlues]

9 minutes ago, halloween said:

Are you ignorant of the fact that substantial tax increases were introduced to fund a promised OAP? I don't give a toss about government mismanagement, or who is currently funding it, I want the pension I was promised and which I have made tax contributions for over my working life.

BTW kiwis are allowed 6 months o/s each year while on their OAP.

BTWyour argument that I should be forced to live in the same country as taxpayers is fatuous at best.

You have made absolutely ZERO tax contributions to "your" OAP. The taxes you paid over your working life paid the pensions of those who were pensioners at the time. Those who are paying taxes now are the ones funding your pension payments

[adwbkk]

On 20/12/2016 at 2:33 PM, halloween said:

Give me a good reason why the OAP, funded for many years by a tax increase, should not be available to citizens who wish to lie o/s.

 

On 20/12/2016 at 2:57 PM, SaintLouisBlues said:

You have made absolutely ZERO tax contributions to "your" OAP. The taxes you paid over your working life paid the pensions of those who were pensioners at the time. Those who are paying taxes now are the ones funding your pension payments

You have gotten side tracked here.   The question is not who funds the pension, that is obviously the taxpayers.  The question asked was "why the AOP should not be available to a qualified person who chooses to live overseas?".    There does not seem to me to be any justification for it to be denied.

[georgemandm]

2 hours ago, adwbkk said:

 

You have gotten side tracked here.   The question is not who funds the pension, that is obviously the taxpayers.  The question asked was "why the AOP should not be available to a qualified person who chooses to live overseas?".    There does not seem to me to be any justification for it to be denied.

Who says it is denied? .

you still get it when you move overseas.

[adwbkk]

6 hours ago, georgemandm said:

Who says it is denied? .

you still get it when you move overseas.

You are quite right, Georgemandm.

[White Christmas13]

On ‎1‎/‎11‎/‎2016 at 2:54 AM, Flanno said:

Post 8 " Man I hate the country Australia has become"  So what has Australia become??? Please expand on this so the rest of us can at least partly understand your little rant!

Yes do explain to me too I live on the pension in Australia and I am not starving

at the matter of fact I live quiet well, I do have to pay for my medication

about $ 12 every month the government pays the rest I get discounts on train

and bus fares discount on entrance fees to a lot of attractions

So my pension is $ 1.100.00 per for fortnight (single) since my wife left me

my outgoings are

Rent for a unit $ 480

electricity $ 25

car (have a old one ) third party   only $ 150 per year

Petrol less then $30 per fortnight

food not more then $ 100 per fortnight  

Booze what ever I can afford $25 on cheap plonk 

Phone cost me $ 10 per 3 months  so and you are complaining?

You work out how much I have left and the end of each fortnight

I have heaps left I just came back from a holiday in Europe

and I am booking my favourite holiday to Canada shortly

Could you do this living in Thailand on a pension? 

[georgemandm]

10 hours ago, White Christmas13 said:

Yes do explain to me too I live on the pension in Australia and I am not starving

at the matter of fact I live quiet well, I do have to pay for my medication

about $ 12 every month the government pays the rest I get discounts on train

and bus fares discount on entrance fees to a lot of attractions

So my pension is $ 1.100.00 per for fortnight (single) since my wife left me

my outgoings are

Rent for a unit $ 480

electricity $ 25

car (have a old one ) third party   only $ 150 per year

Petrol less then $30 per fortnight

food not more then $ 100 per fortnight  

Booze what ever I can afford $25 on cheap plonk 

Phone cost me $ 10 per 3 months  so and you are complaining?

You work out how much I have left and the end of each fortnight

I have heaps left I just came back from a holiday in Europe

and I am booking my favourite holiday to Canada shortly

Could you do this living in Thailand on a pension? 

You are so right Australia is a great county 

to many ???? Wits go to thailand and bag it because they get suck in by thai pussy and sell the lot in Australia then  realise thailand is not what it is made out to be .

so get on Tv complaining about Australia.

the truth is most of those man can't stand thailand but have no hop of getting back to Australia because it is all gone home cars the lot.

[georgemandm]

On 01/11/2016 at 5:54 AM, Flanno said:

Post 8 " Man I hate the country Australia has become"  So what has Australia become??? Please expand on this so the rest of us can at least partly understand your little rant!

You need help ok .

australia is a great county and it s??? All over thailand in every way.

just come back home Australia after 4 months in thailand and man do I love this place great shopping great food all clean not smelling supermarkets great roads very good driving.

shopping Boxing Day 50,000 people cheaper then thailand and  multicultural  people and I can own land and no visa bs for my thai partner after time she can have her own home and land .

so before you bag my great county think .

[halloween]

10 hours ago, White Christmas13 said:

Yes do explain to me too I live on the pension in Australia and I am not starving

at the matter of fact I live quiet well, I do have to pay for my medication

about $ 12 every month the government pays the rest I get discounts on train

and bus fares discount on entrance fees to a lot of attractions

So my pension is $ 1.100.00 per for fortnight (single) since my wife left me

my outgoings are

Rent for a unit $ 480

electricity $ 25

car (have a old one ) third party   only $ 150 per year

Petrol less then $30 per fortnight

food not more then $ 100 per fortnight  

Booze what ever I can afford $25 on cheap plonk 

Phone cost me $ 10 per 3 months  so and you are complaining?

You work out how much I have left and the end of each fortnight

I have heaps left I just came back from a holiday in Europe

and I am booking my favourite holiday to Canada shortly

Could you do this living in Thailand on a pension? 

I am glad you are happy. OTOH so is a crab in a pot of water being slowly heated.

My rent in Thailand is AU$3200/year for a 2-bed a/c house 200m from the beach, and it is fixed as long as I stay in that house. Strangely, our food bill is about the same, but I'm sure I am eating far better than you. Do you remember what a prawn looks like?

[halloween]

20 minutes ago, georgemandm said:

You need help ok .

australia is a great county and it s??? All over thailand in every way.

just come back home Australia after 4 months in thailand and man do I love this place great shopping great food all clean not smelling supermarkets great roads very good driving.

shopping Boxing Day 50,000 people cheaper then thailand and  multicultural  people and I can own land and no visa bs for my thai partner after time she can have her own home and land .

so before you bag my great county think .

 

If you read more than the first few words, you might understand that he was quoting and questioning that statement.

[georgemandm]

8 minutes ago, halloween said:

I am glad you are happy. OTOH so is a crab in a pot of water being slowly heated.

My rent in Thailand is AU$3200/year for a 2-bed a/c house 200m from the beach, and it is fixed as long as I stay in that house. Strangely, our food bill is about the same, but I'm sure I am eating far better than you. Do you remember what a prawn looks like?

Your one more that needs help , thailand is a s??? Hole .

if you was smart and I think your not that smart you would not pay rent in Australia if you own your own home .

prawn I see them every day and I can get good prawns not from a prawn farm like you have to .

you have no hop in the world to eat better food then in Australia the food in thailand is just a pass, but you will get sick with thai food from thai restaurant.

[mcfish]

I am glad you are happy. OTOH so is a crab in a pot of water being slowly heated.
My rent in Thailand is AU$3200/year for a 2-bed a/c house 200m from the beach, and it is fixed as long as I stay in that house. Strangely, our food bill is about the same, but I'm sure I am eating far better than you. Do you remember what a prawn looks like?

 
If you read more than the first few words, you might understand that he was quoting and questioning that statement.

Australia seafood and Thai seafood? There is no comparison! Thai food is mostly rubbish loaded with sugar and unidentified slivers of meat. I really miss quality food in Oz

Sent from my Redmi Note 3 using Tapatalk

[halloween]

1 hour ago, georgemandm said:

Your one more that needs help , thailand is a s??? Hole .

if you was smart and I think your not that smart you would not pay rent in Australia if you own your own home .

prawn I see them every day and I can get good prawns not from a prawn farm like you have to .

you have no hop in the world to eat better food then in Australia the food in thailand is just a pass, but you will get sick with thai food from thai restaurant.

 

A little remedial reading and comprehension would help you, I'm sure. I have owned several homes in Oz, I rent in Thailand, and rent there is very cheap.

I was replying to a poster who claims to spend $100/fn on food in oz. That will not buy a lot of prawns there. However on Samui, I,  buy them straight off the boat, quite cheaply too.

My g/f is an excellent cook, and I eat 99% of my meals at home. But I have many friends who eat out, and haven't observed any great incidence of food related illness. Do you think that oz restaurants are immune from causing illness?

[halloween]

1 hour ago, mcfish said:

 

 

 

 

Australia seafood and Thai seafood? There is no comparison! Thai food is mostly rubbish loaded with sugar and unidentified slivers of meat. I really miss quality food in Oz

Sent from my Redmi Note 3 using Tapatalk
 

 

 

 

 

 

So tell me, what quality food do you eat @ $100/fn?

[georgemandm]

17 minutes ago, halloween said:

 

So tell me, what quality food do you eat @ $100/fn?

Thai food s???