winter1 23 Posted March 15, 2012 (edited) This is important even if you are not a current Pensioner. There is an UK House of Commons e-petition that needs a 100,000 signatures to get a chance of a debate in the UK House of Commons any British citizen can sign it. The Idea is to redress the unfairness of having a pension frozen when you may have made full contributions for a number of years. You do not need to have 30 years to get a part pension and it is still wothwhile despite some reduction in Australian Government benefits. some pensioners who arrived in OZ years ago are still only receiving pensions as low as 15 pounds a week as it has never been raised. also if you retire to Oz from the UK as a self funded retiree you will get no Australian Benefits but your British pension is frozen. Please sign the petition see link below. If all the members here sign this petition it would go a long way to help. http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/16387 Edited March 17, 2012 by winter1 :confused: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest The Ropey HOFF Posted March 15, 2012 As long as we can afford to give India 2 billion dollars, when they spent a similar amount on arms, then that's ok to me, why should we give pensioners well deserved pensions linked to inflation, just cos they have emigrated? Yes I'm being sarcastic ...... It is sickening that this and the last government can waste billions on other countries, but can't give our pensioners who have grafted all their lives, an inflation linked pension, just because they have left the uk. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yorkiegirl 65 Posted March 16, 2012 If you come to Australia from the UK, as long as you have been resident (in Australia) for 10 years then you will be eligible for an Australian aged pension, which is means tested. Those going from Australia to the UK, are eligible for a big fat nothing from the Australian government regardless of how much tax you might have contributed over the years you lived here. That doesn't seem right either. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
winter1 23 Posted March 16, 2012 If you come to Australia from the UK, as long as you have been resident (in Australia) for 10 years then you will be eligible for an Australian aged pension, which is means tested.Those going from Australia to the UK, are eligible for a big fat nothing from the Australian government regardless of how much tax you might have contributed over the years you lived here. That doesn't seem right either. I am not sure that is totally correct, my uderstanding is that if you have already been given a pension after 10 years whilst living here it can continue and if you have lived and worked for 20 years you may be able to claim it overseas. I may be wrong but it may be worth investigating. try this link to start. http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/seniors/payments/Pages/pension_changes-InternationalPensioners.aspx :confused: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yorkiegirl 65 Posted March 16, 2012 Thanks winter1, I haven't seen that page before, we're not at pension age yet for a good few years, but it's something we have been looking into for the future. The info I've seen gives the impression that you can get your Aus aged pension (if you're eligible) paid in a lot of places overseas, but not in the UK as the reciprocal agreement between the UK & Australia ended some years ago. Will definitely look into it further just in case we need it when the time comes to retire. If they keep increasing retirement age though you wonder how many of us will get that far! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
winter1 23 Posted March 22, 2012 Come on Please sign the petition, this is important every former UK person who has paid National Insurance contributions is affected. Even if you go on to earn an Australian Pension you will still be entitled to extra that you will actually receive. Maybe not yet but in the future you may regret not signing this. http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/16387 :confused: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindor 3,927 Posted March 22, 2012 Just signed. I drink, therefore I dance..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
winter1 23 Posted March 25, 2012 The latest article from the UK Daily Telegraph Please read and sign the petition. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/offshorefinance/9153849/Over-half-a-million-expats-denied-full-pension.html https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/16387 :confused: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flag of convenience 3,987 Posted March 26, 2012 My understanding was that Australia ceased the Social Security Agreement with United Kingdom somewhere around 1992. Since then they have signed or updated pension agreements with a number of countries. For example one can get the Australian Pension paid out in Macedonia, Malta. Germany, Poland, Japan and a swag of other countries mostly in Europe. I believe this is in response to the UK failure to ratify and pay British pensioners accordingly living in Australia. More information on Australian Social Security Agreements Overseas....or something similar. Don't have the exact address but shouldn't be hard to find on the govt.com.au website. I looked at it somettime bach and it does go into some detail the agreements signed. Rather sad flags from all over Europe above each nations information sheet with the UK being the big absentee....... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
winter1 23 Posted March 26, 2012 Hi flag of convenience, I believe it ceased in 2000. Frozen Pensions are not restricted by Social Security Arrangements as admitted by numbers of UK Ministers over the years. for example Minister of State Nicholas Scott in 1988. please see the link below section 4. http://www.britishpensions.org.au/legal_brief.htm Many untruths have perpetuated over the years. However there is some light emerging and some in the UK parliament are realising that many people would; 1 Actually leave the UK to return to their country of origin. 2 Join their children who have emigrated. This would at last estimates save the UK a vast amount in NHS and other social security costs. The main argument from many expats is one of fairness having paid the same National Insurance contributions they now get a second class pension. Also see this link below with further information. http://www.britishpensions.org.au/pension-guidelines.htm So the more people who sign the petition the more liklehood of Parliament listening. :confused: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pegs 10 Posted March 26, 2012 Signed. IELTS 15.09.11: L8.5, R8.5, W8.0, S9.0 Overall 8.5; Skills Application: 20.09.11; Skilled Approval 01.11.11: WA SS applied 13.11.11, WA SS Granted 14.11.11 (!); 176 visa applied 18.11.11, PCC & Meds 17.12.2012, CO 13.01.2012, 176 VISA approved 03.02.2012 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan Collins 10 Posted April 5, 2012 Winter1 Many thanks for adding the link. With just over 18,000, there's a way to go. I don't think the UK will want to be hit with an increased bill right at the moment, but who knows, maybe in a few years we might see some progress between the politicians. UK Financial Planner to British expats living in or going to Australia. Now offering FREE managing money webinars on (budgeting, pensions and retirement planning). Great if you're moving countries. Find out more at www.poppyredifa.co.uk or call us on 01260 430011. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
summerskybird 12 Posted April 10, 2012 I am thinking of joining my son and his family in Aus. Would I be able to live on my UK pension plus a small private pension? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
winter1 23 Posted April 10, 2012 I am thinking of joining my son and his family in Aus. Would I be able to live on my UK pension plus a small private pension? That's a tough one I am not sure but I think you would have to be what is called a self funded retiree to get a visa. It also depends on where you lived here Sydney would be far more expensive than say a small country town in rural australia. Also whether you have funds to buy a house or rent or if you were living with your son. Remeber at present your UK aged pension would not receive any more annual cost of living rises and would be frozen at rate on the day you arrived here, hence the request to sign the UK epetition http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/16387 to end the discrimination of over 500,000 pensioners in mainly Commonwealth countries who do not receive the uprating. If you live in the USA you get uprated but in Canada you don't. Back to the question though some pension funds state a modest retirement for a single person would be available for $20,000 per year and a good retirement on $40,000 and higher levels for couples $30,000 to $50,000. Also remember you may have to fund your own medical bills etc. There is a lot to think about but have a good search for the pros and cons and Good Luck. :confused: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mumoffour 76 Posted April 10, 2012 Signed with fingers crossed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Verulam 27 Posted April 10, 2012 If you come to Australia from the UK, as long as you have been resident (in Australia) for 10 years then you will be eligible for an Australian aged pension, which is means tested.Those going from Australia to the UK, are eligible for a big fat nothing from the Australian government regardless of how much tax you might have contributed over the years you lived here. That doesn't seem right either. Yes. Correct. Aussie hubby worked in Australia from leaving school until leaving Australia at 41, and paid into their pension scheme. He wont get anything from Australia except his Super, but he WILL qualify for a UK state pension when he retires. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
summerskybird 12 Posted April 11, 2012 Thanks Winter1. To get a visa as a parent I would have to pay the Aus gov $40,000 but I don't know if that entitles me to any concessions. I would be 62 when I arrived so get both my UK pensions but they would only give me around $20,000 per annum. I thought about maybe buying two small houses to live in one and rent out the other for extra income or rent myself and buy something bigger to rent out to someone else. I would live on the Queensland Sunshine coast. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Guest31881 Posted April 11, 2012 Hi Summerskybird. We have a long standing thread running about parent visas, http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/migration-issues/77756-brand-new-pio-parents-visa-thread.html if you take a look at that you may find the answers to all your questions, You can always post a question on that thread and hopefully someone who has gone through the same procedure will have some answers for you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
winter1 23 Posted April 17, 2012 the e-petitions were offline over the weekend for maintenance but are now back on line. :confused: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fizzybangs 11 Posted May 8, 2012 My husband (Australian age pensioner) will be paid when we go to UK. Me (disability pension) will not be paid after 6 weeks (2012 Budget). To claim the aged pension in Oz, I must be 'resident' in Australia at 65 (according to my birth date) AND must remain a resident for another 2 years before it becomes portable. If I go back to UK permanently now at 62 years of age I will get no Aussie age pension despite having worked here for 30 years. However, for any UK citizen who applies for Aussie Pension here (once a resident or citizen and of pension age and having fulfilled resident requirements) they are automatically asked to put in a claim for any UK age pension entitlements and the Aussie pension is reduced dollar for dollar depending on income test. Seems unfair that it does not work both ways. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Perthbum 5,714 Posted May 11, 2012 (edited) No way will the uk goverment ever reverse this pension policy, the uk is skint and although it is not fair they will never do it!, they would ave to pay billions as claims would come in from people who have had their pension frozen for decades and want it back dated, waste of time even signing it. Edited May 11, 2012 by Perthbum Drinking rum before 11am does not make you an alcoholic, it makes you pirate.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_shel 281 Posted May 11, 2012 True, its never going to happen, more so with this Government. They are cutting pensions, benefits and everything else for people who actually live and work here so they're going to do anything for those overseas who they do not believe they have a loyalty too. 05/09/09 Mailed my 309/100 app 17/09/09 CO 05/10/09 Meds 08/10/09 PCC 09/10/09 Xray, 18/12/09 Extra Medical report recieved by CO 14/01/10 Hep B test, 09/02/10 New CO aggh 18/02/10 309, Baby visa needed now for our move in Sept 2011 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kimsdu 10 Posted May 11, 2012 No way will the uk goverment ever reverse this pension policy, the uk is skint and although it is not fair they will never do it!, they would ave to pay billions as claims would come in from people who have had their pension frozen for decades and want it back dated, waste of time even signing it. Very true, My Gran has got £13.50 per week for the last 30 years !! Shes 94 if she recouped all thats been frozen she would be quite rich LOL !! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites