UK State Pension

[Tafia]

Copied from the Directgov website (pensions) which may interest some members:-

How the State Pension is paid if you live abroad
If you live abroad then your State Pension can be paid directly into one of the following:

a bank in the country in which you live
a bank or building society in the UK
Payment to a bank in the country where you live

Your State Pension can be paid electronically into any of the following countries: Antigua, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Belgium, Canada, Channel Islands, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominica (Commonwealth), Dominican Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Grenada, Guyana, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, South Africa, Spain, St Kitts – Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, United States of America.

From October 2009 additional countries will be: Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Colombia, Egypt, Greece, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey and Yemen.

Payment will be made in the local currency of the country in which the bank account is held. No charges are made for this service.

[BobHelm]

Interesting find Tafia. A bit too early for me yet but useful information none the less.

[Tafia]

Same for me Bob,
I was checking out something else and came across it, then saw a post in TV which some posts said it didnt happen, which made life a little difficult for those without a UK bank, relying on cheques, post etc.... so had to rack thro the brain to remember where I saw it, so thought it maybe useful to pass on here.

[arjay]

I noted that from October 2009 it can be paid into a bank account in Thailand. Does anyone know if there are to be any changes in the fact that those living overseas do not receive subsequent increases (in pension).

[Tafia]

No Change

[JimboPSM]

Caveat - although no charges are to be made, I could find no reference with regard to the exchange rate they will apply in calculating the foreign currency - if a poor forex rate is applied it could cost more than the charges saved.

For further reference, the website address is: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsand ... G_10026714

Another useful part in this for some people is:

If you divide your time between the UK and abroad you'll have to choose which country you want your State Pension paid into. You can't choose to have it paid in one country for part of the year, and a different country for the rest of the year.

[trubrit]

Jimbo. Funnily enough,although its not listed I have had my UK pension paid into my account with a Singapore bank for several years now. It is paid in sterling to a sterling account in full. I subsequently when required , transfer it to my account with Bangkok Bank. I get the T/T rate for the day of arrival minus a fixed charge of 200bht per transaction.

[Rod & May]

Lads good news on the pension.... sterling account would work to manage exchange rate issues.

How about requirement to register Thai wife, and anyone know procedure for little lady to continue on pension after Hubby departs ?

[seymourbutts]

i wonder if this will apply to war pensions and medical pensions payed by the uk govt?

[konstabel els]

Lads good news on the pension.... sterling account would work to manage exchange rate issues.

How about requirement to register Thai wife, and anyone know procedure for little lady to continue on pension after Hubby departs ?

If its any help, any Military service pension , Royal navy etc , gets paid to the person that you were legally married to at the time , they are quite strict about that, you will need your Thai wife to have some legal marriage certificate that the Uk government recognises.

[Fawn]

Yes, I believe the Dragon gets half my HMF pension if I was run over by a bus tomorrow and she's even entitled to half in the event of a divorce. We did have a Blitish Forces marriage certificate but some Halfwit at the Home Opfit lost it when Madam applied for her Blitish citizenship back in 1993. We still have our Thai certificates and the Embassy translation for her first visa though.

[konstabel els]

Yes, I believe the Dragon gets half my HMF pension if I was run over by a bus tomorrow and she's even entitled to half in the event of a divorce. We did have a Blitish Forces marriage certificate but some Halfwit at the Home Opfit lost it when Madam applied for her Blitish citizenship back in 1993. We still have our Thai certificates and the Embassy
translation for her first visa though.

Saint, I know we dont traditionally get on , but this is sound advice, , my advice ,is to anybody concerned about the ' Pension situation' is to have have your marriage legally registerd - -bit of a pain the ass i know ,- and one hell of a gamble, but if you have your marriage legally registered , nobody can touch it ( well until this ' government' decides otherwise) as it stands , who ever you are legally married to , has full entitlement to that pension, and dont let any ' bent ' Solicitor tell you different

In the event of a Divorce, who you legally next marry is the one who gets the pension ( I have explained this time and time again to a lady in nong bua - and did actually show her the 'Governments' explanation of this situation - poor lady actually thought she would get his pension, it went back to his ex - because she still had the marriage certificate

[vlad]

Just out of interest how much is the uk state pension and is it paid weekly, or monthly.

[BobHelm]

I don't think there is an easy answer to the "how much" question vlad.
£95.25 a week for a single person and £152.30 a week for a couple, but there are all sorts of things that can increase or decrease the amount...For a pretty full list of what can be done to increase it & what would decrease it....
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsand ... G_10014671

[MALC]

hi vlad i retired in jan 08 my state pension is over 200 pounds. if u did not opt out off serps. and there more u earn the more u pay in. and i think u have to pay in 44yrs. i hope this helps. malc

[Zidane]

On their website it says that currently men need 44 years to qualify for the full basic state pension and women 39 but changes from 6th April 2010 will mean you need 30 years to qualify for the full pension if you retire on or after that date.
So I interpret that as good news only having to do 30 years to qualify now ??

[Galee]

hi vlad i retired in jan 08 my state pension is over 200 pounds. if u did not opt out off serps. and there more u earn the more u pay in. and i think u have to pay in 44yrs. i hope this helps. malc

As of April next year, qualifying years are to be cut from 44 years to 30 years.
Suites me fine as I only paid into 38 years.

[Galee]

Beat me by 2 minutes Zidane.

[Tafia]

go into the pension website (www.pensionservice.gov.uk) ; pension age calculator, fill in the details, this will tell you when your pension is due and how many qualifying years you need ie 30 or 44.
Or you can obtain a forcast online, tho I think they send you a pin number by post to activate your details.

[BobHelm]

This is a complex issue - especially if you are married.
Your pension qualifying years do indeed come down from 44 years to 30 years. The Bereavement Benefits however remains at 44 years for maximum entitlement.
Some reading here for anyone who qualifies.....
http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Cus ... 1.xml.html
HMR&C are very open to answering personal queries (i.e. answering questions about your individual circumstances) if anyone is nearing retirement & is married it is well worth while talking to them directly .
www.thepensionservice.gov.uk
www.dwp.gov.uk
Offer general advice. However it is possible to "talk" to them via e-mail about personal details & get advice...