BristolUK

Well, you did say that members were entitled to influence rules.

If pointing out that expat pensioners are members so they ought to be able to influence rules is rabbiting, so be it.

Undercoverbrother

well said my son

TheCanes

Now, I might get some sarcy message, telling me to read all the posts in all the threads related to pensions... Well, I haven't. sorry.

I was just wondering what you are on about? What are these petitions about? Could somebody explain in a short, simple manner, please?

dbd33

Pensioners in the UK get increases in their pensions over time related to inflation. Pensioners who choose to move to specific countries give up the increases, though not the pensions. Some of those pensioners who chose to give up the increases want them anyway. They bleat a lot.

flashman

I was never given a "Choice" to give up my pension. I'm a victim of the UK Governments discrimination against certain commonwealth countries. Just like everyone else I paid into it so I deserve the same treatment.

macadian

Bloody well right...(Supertramp)

dbd33

You haven't given up your pension, at least, you haven't been required to give up your pension. You made a choice to move to a specific location which entailed giving up certain increases in the pension, not the same thing at all. It's your choice since you can go home or move somewhere else and have the increases.

flashman

When applied for my UK pension the UK government never pointed out that it was not indexed and neither did they when I paid into it. No government or organization ever indicated the pension discrimination against certain countries so I did not have any information to make a "Choice" I just made a reasonable assumption that everyone in all countries would be treated equally.

Tanah

I wont expect to get much from my pension from the Uk, Im moving to canada in my 30's. However I have to say, i'd be pretty pee'd off if I had paid into my pension all my working life and then dont get the same credit as someone else, just because i 'choose' to live somewhere else.

Retirement is 'MY' time, If i have worked all my life paying into England / Britain whatever bear in mind if I have been working I have also been paying NI - contributing to the welfare so to speak of my country - If I should 'choose' to live abroad in my retirement ( for whatever reason) that should be my right. It's not always a case of abandoning a country, some people move for health reasons, better air, warmer climate for people with COPD or arthritis. If you have worked all your life and paid into the country helping to take care of it why shouldnt you be entitled to a pension with the same benefits as Uk residents? - Its not like the UK is missing out on contributions if you move away - coz your not contributing anymore - basically youve done your bit.

I think its sad that SOME people are penalised for moving away, if youve worked hard all your life, you should be able to spend your pensionable years whereever you like. I think its unfair that some countries are allowed the increase and some are not - thats very unfair.

dbd33

Why would they say that it was "not indexed"? At the time of your paying into it the concept of indexing didn't exist.

dbd33

Very few of those complaining did this. Most emigrated during their working lives rather than retiring in the UK and then emigrating.




So, campaign to stop indexing for all people who leave. Fair, a saleable idea and one that primarily benefits people who've stuck by their country.

Tanah

Im not too sure why you see leaving a Country to retire as a form of Abandonment - To me sticking by a Country is a full picture view eg/

1) person lives and works in Uk all their working life, pays NI / pension etc. Basically takes care of their Country by contributing towards its 'upkeep' . At retirement its time for the the Country to say - "Thanks" and go towards providing a reasonable quality of life for what youve put into it. Where they choose to spend that retirement shouldnt really come into it. A retirement is about enjoyment and relaxation etc ( to me it is) this is ME time and if I can meet those needs better somewhere other than the Uk, I wouldnt see it as not sticking by my Country - Ive done that bit.

2 ) person lives abroad most of their working life - contributing to another Country etc. Moves back to Uk 5 yrs before retirement, and gets Uk pension and its increments - to me this person should be less entitled to pension increases than person 1

3) person moves abroad mid way through their working life ( like me) or spends most of it not contributing to its welfare ( in UK) - should still get a pension for what they have put in, but to me shouldnt have much reason to moan when they dont get increases

In a nutshell - if you have worked fully in the UK and contributed for MOST of your working life ( remeber females do often time time off at somepoint) you should still be entitled to pension increases no matter where you live

In my opinion maybe pension increases for immigrants should be ' means' tested ( so to speak depending on what youve put into the country) and that should be across the board for any Country not just certain ones.

dbd33

In previous runs around this issue it has come out that very few, if any, of the people wanting indexation retired in the UK. They typically emigrated years ago and now hold their hands out in both the UK and the country to which they emigrated. However, the case of someone who retired before emigrating is less grey than someone who moved late in his or her working life. The UK retiree moves in full knowledge of the consequences of the move; that's a real choice.

I chuckled btw at the idea of someone moving to Canada for the weather, that's one sadly misinformed pensioner.

Tanah

Well Im moving out there years before I retire and i wont be expecting anything much - and I have weighed up the indexing thing too. It is a little 'cheeky' if you move out years before and have pensions in both countries to moan about the indexing thing

i understand what you say about the choice - and thats a fair point, its something i considered ( briefly) when making choices about moving ( more so after reading about it on here lol) I suppose that just coz thats the way it is - doesnt mean its fair especially for those who have retired before moving. I guess if petitioning to death is an answer then so be it. My philosophy is always - "if you dont ask you dont get" so i suppose if they never petition they have 100% no hope of ever getting things changed so even if petitioning only increases their chances by 1% lol its still a 1% chance

Lol in realtion to the weather and my misinformed pensioner eg i didnt necessarily mean Canada, they coulda been moving to Jamaica

Jingle

We did! Hubby had a huge accident about 20 years ago - arthritis pain was dire in UK ... here in Calgary he is like a spring chicken J