I had lived in Thailand for six years.i turned 65 in 2015.i returned to Aus for a holiday in 2015 and went along to Centrelink for a chat,knowing they would not give me the green light for my pension,but just thought I would test the water.already had been given some good advice on here from a few members so wasn't getting excited.told them all they needed to know.lodged proof of i/d etc etc.then after a month returned to Thailand.a day later I receive a message,aged pension will not be paid as I have left the country.they have a direct line to immigration.so as of October 2017 I departed Thailand for good to reside in Australia full time.visited Centrelink again supplied documents and waited and waited.more questions one after another I had no more answers for them.Finally today after over 4 months they phoned me.advising me they would pay me a reduced amount as I have money in the bank.yes my super I worked years for.they advised I would receive back monies for the 4 months.they then told me I can't leave the country for two years??not even for a few weeks,not a day?if I do my pension will cease immediately and I would have to go through the whole scenario again.grrrr. I am now a prisoner in my own country that I have worked for all my life.do any lads on here know if this is the norm for the two year ban?or can I contest this?

I think this might help you:

https://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/age-pension-while-travelling-outside-australia

On 25/02/2017 at 10:31 AM, newatthis said:

I think this might help you:

https://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/age-pension-while-travelling-outside-australia

Thanks for the link it is a bit involved,so I figure they are right in their decision.i left for Thailand in 2011 returned permanently oct 2016.worked all my life in Aus.so all up many years living in Aus.take care

You have my sympathy, I have an Ozzie friend who is in the same boat. He needs money in his bank so his Thai wife can live permantly in Aus, but no money in his bank so he can get his pension. A no win situation!

At least Australia is a very roomy and nice prison. 

There is no short cutting the 2 year qualifying period. You will get paid the pension in Australia for those 2 years, but leave the country and it will stop immediately.

On 27/02/2017 at 6:21 PM, maccastime said:

Thanks for the link it is a bit involved,so I figure they are right in their decision.i left for Thailand in 2011 returned permanently oct 2016.worked all my life in Aus.so all up many years living in Aus.take care

Like others have said, there is no shortcut, if you stick around for the 2 years prison sentence, you can leave once its up and you will receive the pension anywhere in the world you chose to live.

 

Good luck

Prison sentence love it well put