Pulaski

I would never make any major or long term decision based on the assumption that any government allowance, concession, or subsidy will continue indefinitely.

Although I picked up making Class 2 NI contributions after a gap of a number of years, my working theory is still that the government will start means testing state pensions and deprive me of most if not all of my pension. Therefore I have been paying Class 2 NI contributions on the basis that either I will retire wealthy and get nothing but not care because the contributions were peanuts or I'll retire with more modest income and be glad that I chipped in a few extra pounds to increase my income.

bobd22

Yes that is true Fred however I am not sure that this petition is clear. Is it that current ex pat pensioners in EU countries should continue to get free treatment or is it that the current arrangements should stand whereby once one reaches state retirement age they get free treatment? There are many people like myself bought pre retiremnt age in the belief that on retirement they could move over and get free health care but after 23 June?? Talk of fairness well we know life isn't fair. However what would be unjust would be if those that are currently retirement age continue to get free treatment whilst those that when they do reach state retirement age don't.After all we have all paid our dues in tax NI etc through our working life. I suppose we just have to wait and see what the outcome is.

iant

As a matter of interest Fred, what happens with UK citizens who are entitled to a full Spanish state pension, having contributed to the Spanish social security system for the requisite number of years, who then move back to the UK and use the NHS? Does the Spanish government have to pay the UK for use of the NHS and, if so, could this change as a result of Brexit?

iant

bobd22

Surely from what you say you mean move back permenentaly ? In that case you would be UK resident and NHS care is residency based so Spain wouldn't come into it.

Fred James

It's a reciprocal arrangement so the answer would be yes. It is an obligation if you are a member of the EU. After Brexit both sides would have to decide whether they wanted to continue it or not. It isn't funded with EU money so there is no reason why it should not continue if both sides agree as it is mutually beneficial.

Fred James

The petition asks "We call upon the Government of the United Kingdom to commit to maintaining the current healthcare arrangements for British pensioners living in an EU country."

As the current arrangement is reciprocal one has to assume that it would work both ways if approved.

bobd22

Hopefully that will be the case for all state pension retirees, obviously one of many issues that need sorting out and yet I still constantly read Brexit voter saying invoke article 50 now! Without any plan being formulated for the follow on negotiations, that to me would be a road to nowhere.

iant

Thanks Fred, that is what I had assumed.
iant

Tadd1966

nothing as been said about renegotiating any agreements with any states or any other agreements with none EU/EEA countries for that matter

these agreements are between individual countries Brexit will not automatically cancel them and it would take decades to renegotiate them all and why fix something that is not broken?

I think this petition is a bit premature

Fred James

I think that the fact that the government speedily removed our right to the Winter Fuel Allowance for very questionable reasons weighs heavily in people's memories.

Tadd1966

Good point but that decision was taken by the UK as a member of the EU and has nothing to do with the EU or Brexit.

CapnBilly

Not sure I agree with that. The decision was clearly politically motivated because the UK was forced to pay winter fuel allowance by an ECJ ruling. Whatever the views of the ruling or even the payment of winter fuel allowance, its that sort of ruling which influenced the thinking of people in the UK, whipped up by the media, towards voting for Brexit.

bobd22

Yes and also a win win situation for the government. Other than trying to get a cheap holiday from expats in the sun, the majority of those in the UK have green eyed monster syndrome.There is little compassion shown for losing any perk as they see it, just envy I'm afraid.

Fred James

Quite right. Just read the comments on such subjects in rags like the Daily Mail and Express. If we all sank without trace they would be cheering.

BEVS

Does feel like that sometimes.