dbd33

It's not "your" money. It's money that the UK taxpayer may, or may not, pay to pensioners in the future based on the whim of the government at that time. The idea that you have a right to money from the government is part of an unfortunate culture of entitlement in the UK that doesn't transfer well to other countries. You've decided to emigrate and, in considering your destination, the likelihood of receiving pension money is one factor, you can make an informed decision to go to Bosnia or you can choose to go to Canada. If you choose the latter knowing that it means you won't get the money you've no complaint when you don't get it.

Your position is not comporable to people of prior generations who were raised with the expectation that anywhere in the Empire would be equal so far as pensions are concerned. I've some sympathy for people who didn't know that choosing one country over another would matter in this regard though, realistically, the generation who are in their eighties now were just lucky in the pensions they receive; the level of pensions paid in the UK is not sustainable.

Piff Poff

That's how I feel too, especially as I was advised to opt out of SERPS in my early 20's. My hubby and I have put in plans to make sure we are financially independent in our later years - the problems we are having are geting our remaining private pensions out of the UK.

DAVIE_MAC

Thanks for the info.

However If I decide to leave my Military pension in the UK then I will still be a UK tax payer!!! So it will still be my money…will it not??

And I have served in Bosnia back in the 90’s already and seen many atrocities so I think I’ll still come to Canada......

Cheers

MarkG

I'm in a similar position: I opted out once I decided I was probably going to emigrate, plus I've saved the maximum amount that the company would match on pension contributions, so I have a fair chunk of cash sitting in a private pension fund that I really want to transfer to Canada with me. At least that part might be worth something one day...

DAVIE_MAC

Thanks for all the replys so far. Very much appreciated.

As I said at the start it is really to open peoples eyes to this matter some might know the full story some might have no idea....and as various posters have mentioned if you know about it and emmigrate with your eyes open then you have no complaints.

I really can't see this being a major factor in remaining in the UK or moving abroad...not even to Bosnia to keep it...and certainly not the US 0f A.

Cheers Dave

Notiaink...honest

USA, Canada, same thing really in many ways. Just easier to get into one than the other.

MarkG

By walking across the border from Mexico, you mean ?

Notiaink...honest

Probably fewer patrols along the northern border... if you want to be an illegal.

DAVIE_MAC

But then again at the end of the day it is what the government decides if they wanna pay it they will if it saves them money - which it obviously does - they won't. I just don't believe we should just sit back and take it just because they say so....but that also is very British & they did tell us Iraq had WMD !! I don't just have a attitude of expectation. I have served my country for 22 years all over the world and will recieve a military pension and rightly so I do expect that I am afraid.

Why then is it only certain countries then.....can you answer that as nobody has so far.

DAVIE_MAC

I take it this means trying to escape the US and not the other way round.

Liana

And your post exactly proves the lack of equality- thank you.

dbd33

No one "escapes" the US into Canada, good grief!

Well, ok, Bruce Springsteen, in some song on Nebraska, but he didn't intend to stay.

moondevil

so glad you have posted this, as we are n the process of moving to ontario
i honestly thought that our uk pension would freeze and would be-able to claim once we get to that age, well if there was any in the pot!!!!!

its just the standard thing with the uk, come to the uk, we will give you everyting, even if you havent paid into the pot :curse: feel free to take what you want
But if you are hard working etc etc you get nothing when times are bad, one very good reason for leaving i would say
We will leave knowing that we wont get a pension when we retire and if they change the rule at any point then its a bonus, but i will be applying for my tax back etc when we leave, why should i pay someones wages opps sorry social security.

Maybe its about time the uk advised that if you dont put in then you dont get owt out.....................maybe theyd get people to stay
or then again maybe not!!!!!!!!!!!

just my views

fuschiagirl

I don't normally have much time for the European Court of Human Rights but in this case it seems very much that the human rights of pensioners in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are being completely disregarded!

I know a lot of things in life are unfair but to penalise the recipients of a mandatory pension schem just because they chose to live in a certain place seems inexplicable! The fact that the countries involved are all members of the British Commonwealth seems to make it even worse!

It is just a money saving exercise on the part of the British Government!

startwin

I entirely agree with you. It seems to me it is a form of discrimination. Saying go live in the US (or Bosnia, or wherever) instead of Canada is stupid. It shouldn't matter a jot where you live now, what matters is your contributions and everyone being treated fairly and equally. And having backpaid my contributions, I'd like to know more about cousin joe in St. Thomas who only paid 1 pound - another inequity.

As for how long it took for someone to come up with a sarcastic answer, there are people who spend inordinate amounts of time on here every day just waiting to shoot down postings. Evidently they don't have work to do!