Not always possible to work when you aare elderly though, and New Start Allowance isn't really applicable for people looking at old age pensions.

I was watching homeless program in glasgow last night, TV. This guy was getting 70p a week, surely that's not right. Does it go on how much stamps you paid into the system, rather than a set rate if your unemployed.

That is possible. He should also keep in mind that if he moves to Australia his pension is frozen, ie any annual cost of living rises are not paid and he will still be getting £800 a month in 10 and 20 years' time.

It could be dependent on lots of factors. On what he is actually claiming, as well as on what he is entitled to. MAybe he was claiming dole but refused to go for any job interviews, for instance.

Exactly quoll. It is more akin to the dole. Not a pension in the European sense and as such confuses,even angers people.

People are much left to their own devices in Australia. The so called pension does not reward those that save or otherwise invest towards their future in Australia.

Besides that they often change the goal posts. I have come across a few Aussies in Asia hanging out there to return only for their pension as can't afford to live in Australia anymore,who will be hit.

Really something to think about before coming to Oz.

Doesn't matter what the Australian system is in their case as they'll get at age the UK pension,frozen at the amount paid on leaving the country.

You didn't surely expect an Aussie pension did you?

Very big brother and not a little disconcerting. What business is it of government why you left the country?

Most are aware Centrelink and Immigration are linked. Hence they catch those on the dole going to Bali for a break.

Yep I recall the times. Although remember rent was paid seperately besides the fortnightly giro.

Having A polish friend living in St Albans until recently, I can tell you depending on circunstances UK was better.
He and his wife lived in a great house, very close to the station and city,rented out a room, got rent paid from state along with payment for two children and the dole. Wife worked cash in hand and he worked online.
Not bad if you can get away with it. This guy when I lived in London owned two houses....well paying the bank plus property in Poland.

Here in Oz I won't even qualify for a pension. Although as stated it is more a dole payment for those at the bottom. Northern Europe or UK, although I am not up with present changes but I do feel at times would be better off returning to that part of the world and at least qualify for a part pension with some sixteen years of work,perhaps a little less.

It was ok when Oz was a cheapish place but now one of the more expensive with doubts about the future,there is a lot of food for thought.

Perhaps the income of offspring should be looked at and if able to contibute towards parents retirement and possible age care as well as in Germany.

In that case he would have been breached (in Aussie terms) think UK has another word for it.
It came to light very recently a contest between London/Uk offices unsure how widespread to cut people of payments. Govt claims to have have down on this but does make you wonder. Matter was shown light by an employee, upset with how it was conducted. The numbers cut of payment in a year are staggering. It appears to be in the hundreds of thousands,of course for various periods.

Famous (infamous) case in UK currently of Mick Philpott, Derby. Father of 17 children by 5 different women, never worked, no incentive - benefits far greater than any income he could earn from employment. Lives with wife and one of the ladies who fathered some of his other children! Girlfriend takes off with some of the kids and he's down £1K a month in benefits. So he comes up with a witless scheme with his wife and next door neighbour (who he shares with his wife and girlfriends) to set the house on fire then rescue the kids and he'll get rehoused and his kids and benefits back. Goes wrong, 6 poor kids die and he doesn't do anything to rescue them. Turns out he had priors for stabbing one of his other girlfriends 13 times and other violence. Has appeared on reality TV saying how he is villified, is a decent sort, wants to work etc.

I know there needs to be a safety net for the out of work, the less fortunate and the underbelly of society but something has gone wrong when there is such an incentive to procreate and not work.

If people like your friend paid their share of tax, instead of being cheats and liars, then perhaps the UK would be a little better off.

Can I ask why you won't qualify for a pension? Are your assets over a certain value and this is the reason? (Just trying to understand how this works.)

Not really, I'm just trying to understand how it all works. As I investigate things more for my parents, I've realized that the chance of them being able to live in Australia is close to zero anyway sadly.....

Hi Gill. Nothing wrong with asking these questions, if you don't ask, you don't know. This link explains everything about eligibility for an Aged Pension, including the income and assets tests, and residency requirements.
http://www.humanservices.gov.au/cust...nk/age-pension

The Australian aged pension differs to the UK system, in that it's more a welfare payment to people who have limited resources (income and assets) when they reach retirement age. In 1992 the govt. introduced compulsory superannuation as a way for working people to save towards retirement, the employer pays this (currently 9% of salary) into the employees nominated super account. The reasoning put forward at the time was that a declining birth rate, coupled with an ageing population, would result in there being difficulty in funding aged pensions in the future (more people receiving aged pensions, less people working and paying tax to fund these payments).