Wanderer Returns

This is also my sentiment, although when I returned to Australia 18 months ago after 5 years in the UK I noticed that the diversity agenda is now being pushed far more explicitly, as it is on the BBC. I think the ABC just copy what the BBC is doing, to be honest. I've nothing against diversity but I don't think every show needs to have a Black, White, Asian, and a non-binary person to make it interesting.

I grew up in a small village where everyone knew everyone else, and most folks greeted each other as they passed by in the street. That seems to have died a death in the UK at some point. Personally, I blame tin-shakers and the 'can you spare a quid for a cup of tea' brigade, making people more defensive when approached by strangers. When I arrived in Brissie in 2004, people still said 'hello' in the street, which I felt was like a breath of fresh air.

You know it's bad when some of the adverts are better than the programmes!

Northerners have always been friendlier than Southerners, and generally folks who live in the countryside have a little more time on their hands for a chat. But when you switch on the TV in the UK it's all gloom and doom, whether it's the news or some grim drama series, or another documentary about global warming and how mankind is doomed. I think it affects people's state of mind over there - along with the weather.

This guy 'Hughsie' seems to pop up on everything. I just do not get what people see in him!

I think we may have to agree to disagree on the Masked Singer, but I've seen Have You Been Paying Attention a couple of times and thought that was pretty good - like an Australian version of Have I Got News For You, but less political.

I can appreciate both these viewpoints. @Paul1Perth you are clearly working hard at enjoying yourself, and getting the most out of your retirement - hats off to you! However, I think a lot of people struggle to make the transition from working life to being fully-retired quite as effectively as you have. As @Red Rose has stated there are a lot of benefits to working or volunteering, and for me I know I would be happy to work part-time should I still be in good health in my 60s. Being a teacher, I quite enjoy the social aspect of the job - and the naughty kids keep us on our toes! That said, there's a big between working because you need the money, and doing a job you really enjoy - with the benefits of getting paid for it

Having recently cancelled Netflix because we hardly ever watched it, I've found myself for the first time watching Australian terrestrial TV on occasions. So far I've found one programme I find mildly-entertaining - the Australian Border Force - mostly because I can't believe the stuff people try and bring in here. There have also been a couple of interesting documentaries on SBS I've enjoyed. However, I tuned into a program the other night called the 'Masked Singer', which I sat through in disbelief as it probably has to be one of the most dire programme I've seen in the 21st century. And what's this obsession with the Big Bang Theory? It seems to be on at least one channel almost every day. If anyone has any recommendations of good things to watch on Aussie TV, then I'd be interested to know.

Granted; you may well be better off in Australia if your salary is significantly higher than your outgoings. That's certainly true for us, and one of the reasons why we returned. I would also agree that there's plenty of misinformation on this forum (as there is on every forum), but there are many helpful members who are very informed. I quoted those figures based on my own experience, and it certainly wasn't an attempt at fearmongering. Comparing like for like, renting in Australia is more expensive - but you can believe otherwise if you wish. I'm sorry if you're unhappy with your current situation but that's no reason to be antagonistic. Getting back on track, one of the things I would miss about Oz (if I wasn't here already) is the general optimism that pervades Australian society. It's the complete opposite to Britain.

In 2018 we rented a very nice bungalow in rural England for the equivalent of $1,200/month. Last year we rented a similar property here in regional Queensland for $2,100/month. If you are convinced renting will be cheaper for you here in Australia then you must be living in a very expensive part of the UK. As Marisa said, there's a significant lack of affordable property throughout most of Australia and that is driving rental prices through the roof.

I totally agree. I'm the first person to do something oneself rather than paying for it. Several successful visa and citizenship applications are testament to that. However, there have been times when I wish I hadn't bothered because part-way through the process I didn't have the expertise. I regret not selling our UK home through an estate agent, as it created a massive amount of remote work for me. I know they are a bunch of sharks, and that was part of the reason why I did myself, but in the end I didn't sell my property for any more and I just created myself a load of unnecessary hassle. One's time is something you can't put a price on - until it starts slipping through that hour glass at an alarming rate!

They're called Defined Benefit schemes, or more affectionately 'gold-plated pensions'! Queensland Government phased theirs out in 2008. Some of my older colleagues were in it and without exception, they all couldn't wait to retire. The guaranteed income for life is not to be sniffed at, but there are disadvantages in that employers have kept reducing the amount of the defined benefits (or the fund will run out of money), so people in them need to work longer to get a decent pension. This applies to the UK teachers' pension; if you retire at 55 you are heavily penalized compared with retiring at 60. It often keeps people in jobs they loathe, so they are unhappier - and unhealthier - by the time they retire. Also, when you die your spouse may be entitled to a percentage of the pension (usually half), but there's no pot of money to leave as an inheritance. They are great if you live a long time, but if you die of a heart attack at 69 like my father did, then you definitely won't get your money's worth.

I think it will only be a matter of time before the law is changed so that you need to be resident in the UK to receive the state pension, regardless of the NI contributions you've paid. THis is already true of Australians who choose to live overseas. It probably won't affect those who are already in receipt of the state pension, but anyone who isn't near the finish line should bear it in mind. That's why I'm not paying up any more years until I reach 66, and I know I'm going to get it within 12 months. The UK government have just raised NI by 1.25%, and people over there aren't happy. They are certainly going to be looking at other ways to reduce the cost of pensions, and this way would be most acceptable as it wouldn't affect the majority of Brits.

I don't think it's as clear cut as that. If you have little other income, then when it runs out you'll be entitled to the Australian Age Pension. This will be reduced accordingly if you receive an income from the UK state pension. If you're confident your other pensions will last until the end of your life, then it's probably worth paying up those extra years - assuming you're in good health. It's also worth remembering that the money you need to pay for those contributions (which are now getting quite expensive) wouldn't be doing nothing - it could also be invested, creating a return.

It's 10 - unless they've changed the rules.

You should also consider how much tax you will pay on the additional pension income you'll receive, as you may find it takes considerably longer than 3 years to recoup the cost of the 5 years you intend to pay up. Not to mention there'll be no cost-of-living increments, as I'm sure you're aware.

It states that the owner can use the purchase price of the property, but clearly that isn't in their interest if they've owned it for a long time.

I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, but it's my understanding that you'll only need to pay CGT on the gains made from 6 April 2015, when the law was changed. Capital Gains Tax rules for British expats and non-UK residents with a UK property The rule, which came into effect on April 6, 2015, particularly affects British expats and non-UK residents with UK property interests, and especially those with buy-to-let agreements which generate an annual income. While it is possible to be assessed for CGT on the original value of the residential property, you may elect to have the gain assessed on the 5 April 2015 market value of the property if owned before this date. Hence CGT will be calculated on the value of the property on the day prior to the introduction of the new tax rule for non-residents from the start of the 2015/16 tax year. Where possible, therefore, it is recommended that you seek a professional opinion on the property value as at 5 April 2015 to establish an accurate understanding of the gain/loss made from this date to date of sale. Source: https://www.expertsforexpats.com/expat-tax/capital-gains-tax-for-british-expats/#:~:text=UK Capital Gains Tax rates,persons the rate is 28%.

@MARYROSE02 you don't need to ring the HMRC, or use a tax agent. You can complete the Capital Gains tax return online - it's quite straightforward. Non-resident: Report and pay Capital Gains Tax on UK Property or Land https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/shortforms/form/NRCGT_Return

Surprising - you come across as quite content in your world

In theory you can use the Smart Gates if you have an ePassport from one of the countries on the following list. You don't necessarily have to have an Australian passport. https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/smartgates/arrivals#:~:text=SmartGates automatically process passengers through,may leave the airport faster. However, you may be processed differently on your arrival because you will be going into quarantine. Either way, I think this is probably the very least of your worries

I lived in Bristol for a year, and loved it - had a swanky flat in Clifton that was paid for by the company I worked for. Those were the days!

If you think renting is expensive in the UK, then you're in for a rude awakening when you arrive back here!

Having returned to Australia fairly recently (18 months ago), I would say this is a very valid point. Salaries are better for most professions in Australia, and significantly better for menial workers. The UK minimum wage is currently £8.91/hour, which equates to a little under $17/hour. In Australia it's $20.33. However, casual staff here receive 25% loading which takes it over $25/hour. My wife's a housekeeper in one of Caloundra's resorts and receives $27/hour, so a solid $10 more than she'd be paid in the UK as a cleaner on a zero-hours contract. I'm at top of the teaching pay-scale and would receive a salary of £41,604 if I was back in the UK, which equates to around $79k. I'm currently on $97k, and next year that will go up to $102k when I reach the Senior Teacher classification. Then there's superannuation. In the UK the employer contribution is 3%, compared to 10% here in Australia. I'm sure there are niche professions, consultancy etc, that pay more in the UK, but comparing apples to apples most people will earn more over here, and depending on their lifestyle, will be significantly better off. Brexit has cut off the supply of cheap European labour that has been subsidizing the British economy for the last two decades, so businesses will simply need to pay better rates to retain workers. This can only be good news for the low-skilled British worker.

Hadn't thought of that