⌛ British Pensions

Do we have any British pensioners in DI, I just wondered what reporting we have to do if any to the UK? I am due to draw mine in a little over 2 years. Any information will be very useful as the Embassy seem to know so little. Thank You in Advance.

 

State Pensions. Google this jack, the link ain't working

 

I'm in the same boat as you in that I draw mine in 18 months time and will be in Dumaguete within the next few months. Not surprised that the British Embassy knows little and is not helpful. I spent 10 years going to all the British Embassies in the world and know that anything that disrupts their fun routine is considered a nuisance. The embassy in Manila seems to be packed with supporters of the defunct Blair/Brown regime; I'm told that the staff there were ordered not to wear poppies when they had a gathering to present veterans badges to ex-pat UK veterans now resident in the Philippines !!! Yuk.

Either google "uk pensions abroad" or go to direct.gov.uk/en/britonslivingabroad where you will find loads of information. You can get a pension forecast at anytime and you will be advised to claim your pension approximately 4 months before it is due.

International Pension Centre,
Tyneview Park,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
NE98 1BA
United Kingdom.

+44 191 218 7777 UK hours 0800-2000 Monday-Friday

You can also email them from the direct.gov.uk website, and, as far as I understand, you can also submit your pension claim on line. Your pension can be paid direct into your bank account in the Philippines if you wish, or in to a UK bank if you prefer.

Note that there is a reciprocal arrangement between the Philippines and UK with regard to pensions, therefore you will also automatically get any annual pension increases.

Hope this helps.

Roger

 

Well we will see! I have a problem in obtaining a Forecast as yet I am TOO YOUNG. he he what a laugh that is. I will do as you suggest and see what I can come up with, Thank You for this information. Will appreciate any new news on this matter.

 

Some good advice given there Jack
You should be able to get a forecast of your pension at the address given
Something else to consider is Medical Care
I believe if you reside out of the UK for more than 3 months your entitlement to NHS is
ended ! Can anybody confirm that also....regards JB

 

This is a subject with some very confusing grey areas. You can go to dh.gov.uk/en/healthcare and then click overseas visitors. This site does give a lot of information but I found that a lot of it is contradictory. With the new governments intended revamp of the health service, it may become clearer at a later date, but don't hold your breath. The criteria seems to change according to who you are, where you live, and how long you have lived there. However, my understanding of the basics are thus :-

1. There is no reciprocal medical arrangement between the Philippines and the UK, therefore any treatment there must be paid for and cannot be reclaimed from the NHS. Equally, any other nationalities in UK must pay for any treatment in NHS hospitals, unless they are legitimately working here and paying a National Insurance contribution.

2. For UK citizens, free treatment on the NHS ceases after you have been resident in any another country, whether EEC or not, after 3 months. This is regardless of how many years you have paid your NI contributions. Your entitlement is fully restored if you return to UK for permanent residence. But there are certain waivers and exceptions :-

3. Even if you live abroad, it seems that NHS treatment is still free in the UK for State Retirement Pensioners who have previously lived for at least 10 years in the UK.

4. If you are in receipt of a War Pension from the UK government then treatment is also still free. War Pension means any permanent pension paid by the government for injuries received on active service i.e. loss of limbs/sight/noise damage deafness/ impaired mobility etc.

I don't feel that the information is clear enough, so there is a lot of it that is open to interpretation. However, in a nutshell,

yes, you lose your entitlement after 3 months away,
yes, you can still be treated once you become a pensioner,
yes, you can be treated if you are getting a war pension,
yes, your entitlement is re-instated if you take up UK residence again.

Short term solution - if you move to the Philippines, keep a UK contact address !!!:D

It seems that I'm ok now with a war pension, and double ok in 18 months time with the " I made it " pension, but if you intend to live permanently in the Philippines then some form of medical insurance is a MUST, especially if the injury/illness needed you to be repatriated. And on that final point, don't expect any help, in any shape or form, from the Embassy !!!

Cheers,

Roger

 

Thanks Roger for that info. It threw some light on the subject. Like yourself I will soon qualify for state pension. But my biggest concern with a permanent move would be the health issue...regards John

 

"Equally, any other nationalities in UK must pay for any treatment in NHS hospitals, unless they are legitimately working here and paying a National Insurance contribution."

I like that part, the US needs to adopt and enforce such a policy.

 

Then I am very Pleased that My Other ( Better on this occasion ) Half badgered me to get a Good health Insurance. Thank you all for the Advice and comments, Seems the money will be well spent in the event of some disaster, As for the Embassy, well now we have to Go to Hong Kong for a Passport then I see little use it is apart from issuing the CNI. and maybe giving us totally Naff information.
Jack.

 

There is some talk of the time limit being extended to 6 months, because thousands of retirees who sold up and retired to Spain and similar places are missing out on health care, even though they have paid their contributions for all of their working lives. But until that is written in stone, I'd stick to the 3 month limit.

Also, on pensions, the qualifying period changed some time ago. Previously you needed to pay NI contributions for most of your working life ( 44 years I believe ) in order to get a full retirement pension. That has now changed to 30 years of full contributions.

Roger