RoundInCircles

On 06/04/2021 at 11:24, Sloth said:

Once you've checked your contribution record as advised by tea4too, it would be worthwhile calling the Future Pensions Centre to determine which pre-2016 years it would be worth you paying for to produce an uplift in your pension entitlement. The State Pension scheme changed in 2016, and if you have pre-2016 contributions on record you are under the transitional rules, and the practical effect of that is that your contribution record will show all gaps that you can pay to fill, but some of those might not produce any improvement.

It is much cheaper to make class 2 contributions if you are eligible (c£158 vs c£780 p.a.). You will need to fill in an NI38/CF83: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-security-abroad-ni38

https://www.gov.uk/future-pension-centre

You have until 5 April 2023 to pay voluntary contributions to make up for gaps between April 2006 and April 2016:   https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions/deadlines

Thank you!  And I'm so very sorry for not thanking you sooner!

On 05/04/2021 at 18:38, tea4too said:

If you've not already done so the first step is to check your record - what you've already paid and any credits you may have received. If there are gaps in your records it may or may not affect your final Retirement Pension entitlement as some years don't count towards your pension. The government website is a useful place to start and does provide some contact details. T x 

https://www.gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record

Thank you!  And my apologies for not thanking you sooner! 

18 hours ago, bunbury61 said:

Strange one , because as very stormy stated , a lot of people are very busy .

A lot of my mates - plumbers , window fitters - painters and decorators- electricians , are all really busy .

But other people I know , in aviation - pub and restaurant trade are sat at home .

A good mate of mine who is a chef , returned to work at a high end , private restaurant in the area .

They have space for 100 covers - only 5 people turned up .

I was watching a video from a British guy , living in Spain,  who travelled from his home in Madrid to the Costa del sol , last month - eerily quiet .

As I stated in a different post , watch the TIMELESS WATCH CHANNEL on YouTube. 

The guy filmed a fantastic video from Venice during lockdown .

His videos are great anyway , even if you don't like watches 

 

 

Thanks for your message Bunbury61   Yes, we're hearing so many varying stories, aren't we?...some good, some not so good.  As another Poster mentioned, it's the same the world over.  I'll still be heading over to the UK when the world is finally "back to normal"...hopefully, I'll be fortunate enough to gain employment...I'm at the "older end" of the scale (57) and have even found it difficult to find suitable work here in Australia.  I have a very supportive family in the UK and they'll do anything they can to help me;  they just want me to get there as soon as possible  

4 hours ago, BacktoDemocracy said:

This might help inform you of where the UK is at the moment

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jul/09/rishinomics-centralisation-government-local-communities-rishi-sunak-britain-whitehall

Thank you so much, BacktoDemocracy...much appreciated.  I found your suggestion posted on another thread and followed your advice then.  Many regards...

37 minutes ago, Quoll said:

We've been back now since March, my dad, who was in a care home died last week so I have dealt with "the call" after all (didnt think that would happen).

So sorry to read of your lose Quoll  

On 07/07/2020 at 14:26, VERYSTORMY said:

The world is going to have some issues. But, different areas are going to do better than others. My own for example is booming. The companies biggest headache now is that while we were locked down, we had so many orders come in, we don’t how to get them all done. 

Glad to hear you're in such a good situation with regards to your employment VERYSTORMY!  Thank you for responding to my Post...much appreciated!

On 07/07/2020 at 14:17, Gary H said:

Same situation the world over depends on many variables, what you do, how flexible you are, age experience etc. So no doesn't bother me, Australia has a better support system IMO if you are unemployed and a citizen.

 

Thanks so much for your feedback GaryH...much appreciated.

Hello Everybody   I hope you and your families are safe and well...

A question for those who are still longing to return to the UK and will need to find a job once there...

Have any of you had any thoughts about now NOT returning due to the impact CoronaVirus has had on the unemployment situation there?...Would you be worried about NOT securing employment as soon as you would like?...curious tis all...

Thank you for reading and stay safe 

4 hours ago, Gary H said:

I was speaking with Dogtainers today 29/06 to quote them. "It's a fluid situation right now, pets can be moved via Doha but communication isn't great, there are other options although Qantas isn't one and won't be for a while yet" Emphasis was on having jabs including rabies up to date so good to go as flights come up short notice, seemed confident that as the year progresses it will improve.

 

Thanks so much for that Gary H; much appreciated.  I was in contact with the gent at Dogtainers before everything went pear shaped and found him to be very helpful and knowledgeable.  Will definitely be using their service in the future.

3 hours ago, Issey said:

Maybe you didn’t understand the post - she needs to get home to her family and husband who is already here but cannot get a flight for the dog - a dog is for life not just Xmas - it’s family ( only true animal lovers get this so don’t worry) So your perception of a nightmare and mine will never agree. The dog was bought whilst they were living there they never thought they would need to return to England - and yes these are exceptional times and yes there are other families in the same situation. I was asking if anyone had experience or contacts to help. However it’s sorted now so thanks for those who had positive comments.  

Some of us would love to know how it was sorted...airlines, when, cost...anything!  LOL.  So happy everthing appears to have worked out just fine.  Best wishes...

1 hour ago, Tulip1 said:

Glad it’s sorted. It would be good to say what airline/company she’s using as that may help others in the same situation.

Yes, would be good to know...any information would be helpful...

22 minutes ago, Marisawright said:

For goodness sake, it's a dog not a baby.

At a time when hundreds of  people are stuck in other countries, separated from their partners and children due to the travel bans, saying it's a "nightmare" to be separated from your dog is getting things a bit out of proportion. 

The love many dog owners have for their pet is incomprehensible to some. I have been and will continue to do everything I can to take my dog with me when I can finally return to the UK.  New "breed" restrictions are making this difficult.  I could NOT and will NOT think of leaving her behind.  Yes, just the same as my human children; no different.

2 hours ago, Jules471 said:

Hi there, I am seriously considering moving back to UK in next few years. I have a teenager and want to wait here until he is in his 20’s. He will be able to live with his father then. Other than my son, I have no relatives here. I have a few close friends too, but my Ageing parents, siblings etc all live in a small town in UK. I am able to access my super, and will have a job related pension in UK by the time I go back. Is there somewhere here on PIO that has a bit if an ‘idiots’ guide on moving back? Any help in relation to the order of things, or anything at all will gratefully received. TIA

Welcome Jules471  I myself have started the process of "going home"...it was to be next month, however, that ain't gonna happen now! This site has some amazing members who have helped me with so much information and you'll be sure to hear from some of them very soon.  Good luck with everything...ask away...you'll be sure to get the answers you need 

Hope everything is working out better for you now TessD  

On 26/04/2020 at 16:33, Cjgohome said:

So I was on here 12 years ago when we moved out from UK. With ageing parents and siblings having kids and a few deaths we want to go back. My dad has offered to fund our flights If we sort shipping. So now we are raring to go and the whole world is it a standstill. My pops is in end of life care and it's breaking me that we probably won't make it back in time. Any one else frustrated? 

My daughter and I started planning our return to the UK back in January.  We were excited for a planned return in July 2020.  Looks like a few of us are saddened that our plans are currently on hold  So sorry to hear about your Pops...I can only imagine how difficult it must be for you right now  

13 hours ago, Quoll said:

I think it means that you don't have to have a professional who has known you in that capacity, you can have someone who has  known you as a friend or neighbour for the required period but who is or was one of the professionals in the list. But of course it could be a person who had known you in their professional role for more than 2 years. Psychologist wasnt on the list specifically but it's accepted by the passport office as being professional enough so there is a bit of leeway with respect to professional role. I've countersigned several for friends over the years. 

I found the way it was worded at little confusing so I decided to call them directly and get the official word from them.  Mind you, I got the feeling that perhaps what one officer says may NOT be what the next one says if I had to ring them a second time LOL.  It's like that a lot isn't it when you have to ring call centres multiple times...you get a different story almost EVERY time!

Kind regards...

15 hours ago, Vickie78 said:

Great news, Yes I was perplexed when I first went to apply as I missed the Commonwealth Passport holder information initially, I read it, but didn't take it in? But it all worked out. I was actually surprised how easy and fast I got our Passports too given we were all new applications and being in the UK etc. Faster than my kids Aussie ones lol. 

Hi Vickie78  Yes, I read the information, then re-read it again...I certainly think it could be interpreted a couple of different ways which is why I decided to call them directly! LOL.  I hope there is a quick turn around for receiving the Passport...I'm so keen to get it!  My teacher friend is away at the moment and my patience is getting the better of me...the clock's ticking and I just want to be on my way LOL.

Kind regards...

23 hours ago, Marisawright said:

Well, a Justice of the Peace wouldn't do, unless you've known them for two years!   I can't recall if that was the exact wording when I did it but I had been with my doctor for the required length of time and it was fine.  Glad to hear you've found someone anyway.

LOL That's exactly right, Marisawright!  Ah, the good ol' days when things were much simpler then.

Many regards...

4 hours ago, Marisawright said:

My doctor wasn’t a friend either, but it doesn’t  have to be a friend, just someone who has known you for the required length of time

Hi Marisawright  I wasn't sure if I was interpreting the requirements correctly so I ended up calling them during the week.  The person I spoke to said it is as per the info online...I've attached an image.  I thought for sure I could take all my id to, say, a Justice of the Peace, for example...and get them to certify I am who I am but, no...perhaps things have changed recently?  I don't know... but at least I can get my id signed off now  

On 07/02/2020 at 09:12, Vickie78 said:

I used an old colleague/friend still, whom works as a contractor in the banking industry (IT) and included the colour copy of his Aussie passport. Was fine. 

Hi Vickie78...many thanks for your message.  I'm relieved to be able to say that I've tracked down an old friend who is currently teaching!  I feel a little less stressed now lol!

On 07/02/2020 at 02:38, Quoll said:

My next door neighbour did. The other neighbour she initially asked wasn’t on the list of professionals and she got knocked back so she asked me even though I was retired I had been on the list. Doctors, dentists, kids’ teachers are usually good options.

Thanks for that Quoll   Yes, the person must be a friend and either retired or still working in one of the listed professions.  The good news is, I've tracked down an old friend who is teaching!  Yay me!

On 06/02/2020 at 22:10, Marisawright said:

I used my doctor.

Thank you for messaging me Marisawright.  My doctor isn't a "friend" and hasn't known me long enough anyway.  I've managed to track down an old friend who is teaching!  Yay!

re British Passport application

Application completed, paid for but not yet lodged...working on getting the required documents organised and ready to send off...however, I've reached a bit of a stumbling block with regards to finding someone who's known me for TWO years and are able to complete the Confirm Identity Form...that "someone" must also currently work in, or has previously worked in, a profession as listed by GOV.UK.  I was told last night that the passport won't be issued if that requirement cannot be fulfilled!  Has anybody else had this same problem?

Kind regards

16 hours ago, Quoll said:

And someone will say "Welcome  Home!" And you'll go "Aaaaah!" 

To the  OP - Get yourself on the electoral roll as soon as you can and start establishing yourself. 

Hi Quoll  I think I will possibly burst into tears if someone says that to me!  Thank you for  your advice re getting on the electoral roll...must add that to my list of "To Do"s...

Kind regards...

1 hour ago, Marisawright said:

No, no expectation.  You arrive and go through Passport Control with your British passport, exactly the same as if you were returning from a holiday in Ibiza!

Thank you for the quick reply, Marisawright!  I had a feeling that would be the case but wanted to make doubley sure.  Cheers for now