jackytoo

I have caught some really dreadful diseases from google

agoreira

Is that the modern version of catching something off a toilet seat?

Domino

you should try in-private browsing with total block on cookies
so I have been told by the Filipino housemaid

anyway cookies are fattening

Fred James

With blood tests they usually show the normal parameters alongside the results so it is very easy for a non medical person to check their results for abnormalities.

If everything is OK then there isn't much point in consulting a doctor unless you have obvious problems.

It's a bit like taking your own BP - if it's OK no reason to see a doctor.

megmet

When we left the UK I got a printout from my doctor, I only read it as I was about to hand it to my doctor here...
On inspection I was amazed to find that most of the important things were not even recorded there, three operations and a DVT were not on as was twenty years of back problems including C.A.T scans and M.R.I. scans.
So perhaps the Spanish doctors are aware of the shortcomings of the NHS record keeping, it would explain the lack of interest in what is on our printouts.

mikeglover

I know that expats who become resident in Spain get free healthcare under the Spanish system when they reach state retirement age but is that UK or Spanish state retirement age. ( I presume it is Spanish but thought ide still check to make sure) and, if it is Spanish state retirement age, what is that at the moment?

Fred James

It is the UK pension age.

It is actually simpler than that - if you get a UK pension you qualify.

If only one of a couple qualifies the other is included as a dependent irrespective of age.

mikeglover

Many thanks Fred - first time my better half has been glad ime a few years older than her

Rosemary

My husband was two years older than me so I reached 60 before he reached 65, therefore he became my dependant until he was 65.

Rosemary

snikpoh

Any one know what the new ages are (or will be).

I seem to recall reading somewhere that it is 67 for both now?

(UPDATE: Just checked and my wife and I will be of 'state pension age' (different to retirement age) when we get to 66 - I'll get there first).

Mitzyboy

Its a brilliant way for the UK government to cut its costs isnt it. Just keep raising the pension age. Soon it will be in the 70's. I wonder if were able to do a check on the ages people die in the UK between 60 & 80, where the largest proportion of deaths would be.

bobd22

Luckily with the current changes to pension ages mine is still at 65 all be it + 3months. Wife who is 4 years younger and we had planned on getting hers at 60 now has to wait untill 66. So we have to wait for more years to get the free cover.

EsuriJohn

Why?? If you have paid full stamp in UK and have a complete record you can get an S1 which will give a max of 2 years cover before you go on UK pension so for you 63+3mths. As I understand the rules your wife then becomes eligible as your dependent.

Although Kath was eligible in her own right and had a S1 of her own when we registered at the clinic the admin office astounded us by asking for our marriage lines which we did not have in Spain. they were scanned and emailed overnight and we presented them the next day and all formalities were completed. It was only later I realised that she had been registered as my dependent. So make sure you have a copy of your marriage certificate when you go to register and I would think you will have no problems from about 63.

mikeglover

I stopped paying NI a couple of years ago as i had contributed for the full 31 years (under the new rules). I thought though that i would have to keep contributing up to the date i move to Spain in order to qualify for S1. From your post, does this mean as long as i have paid the full stamp , i could get my S1 at any time in the future?

Rosemary

It is not only the UK government raising the retirement age, one of my Spanish friends told me the other day that she has to work until she 67 years old because the government has changed the rules.

Rosemary