I am going to apply for my state pension. My husband gets £97 a year!! I think I will get even less.

This is interesting. It's clear some changes need to be made.

As I will be arriving in July, will I be exempt from any levies they may impose or will I still be affected because I won't have been in the country long?

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I'm neither desperate nor frustrated. I have rheumatoid arthritis, with the health costs that result from that. I'll be moving from a situation of paying for my health care through my taxes and through private cover, to one of being reliant on a free system of a country I've never contributed a cent to. Whether I'm right or wrong to feel that this is unfair, nevertheless that's how I feel.

I'll continue to research private health cover options.

Don't spend those riches all at once! Scouse won't get a full pension, I think it's round 83 quid per week.

Won't you be paying taxes in the UK too?

Yes. Editha, my comments relate to my own situation and no one else's. I spent 30 years of my life working crap jobs at night while bringing up 3 kids, one with a severe disability, while my ex-husband had one hand out for money and the other one in a fist to punch me. I've gone cap in hand to welfare organisations more times than I care to remember and been made to feel like something that needs disinfecting. If I am able to pay my way now, I want to do so - and I will.

You will be contributing to taxes of the country! Petrol tax, income tax, VAT, booze tax etc. I figure the amount of wine I drink I am probably paying a few pence a day!

The system they have here in Canada is fair. As a returning resident of BC (rest of Canada maybe except Alberta) you have to wait 3 months before you can access health care and you then take on private insurance for those 3 months. This stops Canadians from being ill overseas where they are expats living a nice life and want to come back just to access the healthcare where they are no longer contributing taxes to! Perhaps UK can have something like that.

I also don't have a problem paying something like a levy for the first few years but then it must apply to everyone, including EC as well and some short exclusion for ex=pats coming back to access healthcare.

I think the United Kingdom has one of the most fairest and best systems in the world but like most things in life it is always a few who abuse the system.

I'm sorry, but the principle of the NHS is that healthcare is free for all. It is not 'welfare' and it is not something anyone should feel guilty about receiving. Wanting to pay for it when you don't have to is a bit precious and very perverse IMO. It's like people who leave their money to pay off the national debt.

I don't think you are being 'moral'. I think you are being silly.

It's not a particularly good post, it's just how I feel

Private health cover in the UK is not that comprehensive, I believe. It's usually used for minor issues that have a low priority on the NHS.

Well, no one's ever accused me of being an intellectual giant so perhaps you're right. Nevertheless - my hang-up, my money, my choice.

There is usually a charity attached to each hospital, providing extra comforts for patients etc. Maybe donate to one of those? Just an idea.

Thanks Sally. I hope to be able to do some vollie work in an aged care centre too - only problem is I'm used to being the boss so I'll probably stick my bib in too much and piss everyone off

I'm sure they will be very glad to have you.