mike255

Note of caution. we need to refer to the new white paper on pensions, now going through House of lords. The small print suggests that although 35 years of qualifying years is required to get the full pension, this is only for people who didn't opt out of SERPS (time paying into an occupational pension). if you opted out for part of those years then the statepension may be reduced. On the other hand payments to aus will not be index linked either.

Yes its all so unjust and life is so unfair. Please go back to Dorset as fast as you can. After 3 weeks of boring the local population about your experiences in Oz, try Saudi or Rockall and let us know how life is there.

So that's my two penworth to the question "Am I mad to want to return to the UK ?" No, not if to see family or friends, look up the beautiful parts of the country and enjoy the really spectacular sights the UK has to offer. If you are looking for a special holiday destination that's going to stimulate your senses there are plenty of other places in the world to explore. Its no use navel gazing this site for answers, all you will get is jpeg's, nostalgia and clichés. People mean well but we all do things for our own reasons. So one more time (because I really am certain about this) London really is degenerating into a medieval toilet and if you end up stuck there, you will wish you had stayed clear.

I visited Mumbai years ago, the general level of poverty and dilapidation was striking, but the city was developing quickly and for the better. There are some very beautiful buildings in churchgate, lovely peaceful parks and beaches, good public services, historical buildings and entertainment centres such as Bollywood, and friendly locals, world class universities too. Given the choice of holiday in London or Mumbai, then I would take Mumbai. One day the streets may be paved with gold but it will never happen in London.

like I said, I arrived Heathrow and decided to get the Heathrow Express and travel across on the tube. Journey across London was nightmare, engineering works, delays, staff that couldn't care less, litter, food and detritus, graffiti, ridiculous prices, crowds and threat of care in community lunatics etc. essential workers struggling to buy homes. After a couple of hours I was wishing I was back here. Seriously its a third world dump. If you have friends or family there then you have to go back, but if you have escaped why go back to live ?

I am not talking about Heathrow. I am talking about London.

I go back every now and then to see family and friends. I fly direct to provincial cities and head west to green scenery and market towns I used to fly into LHR, then train via Euston, but now I give it a miss. London looks more and more like a medieval toilet. I cannot understand anyone wanting to return there from Aus, save for seeing family and friends. Third world tube rolling stock, litter, smells, congestion, crowds, crime and rip off prices. I hear property prices are on the rise again, get mortgaged to the hilt for a shoebox. I suppose you have to see it to be reminded how bad it is. :arghh:

Thanks Nicky Even though contributions to super have been already taxed at 15%, and any "after tax" voluntary contributions paid into super, are taxed again when the super drawn. Effectively pensioners become "double taxed" if they become UK resident. I can see why people would be a bit upset about this. Do you know whether the UK taxes the super or pension at the marginal rate (say 20% or 40%) and subtracts the Aus tax already paid ? or offers any allowance of any kind ? Cheers Mike

This is a great question but somehow got sidetracked a little. Does anyone know whether Australian super (already taxed at 15%) is taxed by UK Govt, if the super is drawn when the pensioner in the UK ?