We have just returned from Sydney having made our compulsory 6 monthly trip back. Every six months we must return to either Australia or New Zealand to keep our age pension. We get part pensions from both countries. Are there any other Australian expats who have been able to find a way to get around this ridiculous law? Oddly enough if we were to remain in Australia they give us more money than if we are away.
No, British pensioners do not and neither do people from the USA or any European country. This is particular to Australia and NZ.
Seems you are having a slight problem, just click on reply and type, or type out side of the Quote you want to answer.
What is Particular to Aus & NZ, Did you mean going back at times to satisfy things? If so, you are right but we would (UK) get more money and other help if we were resident in the UK. Overseas Residents have always been targeted for the Lower payment, I guess the UK is lucky as we have the SS Agreement which gives us a yearly increase (not sure if the US has this)
Yes but the amount is based on inflation so some years the increase can be zero %. In case of deflation a negative increase (decrease) is not allowed.
I think it would have something to do with you only getting a part pension from 2 countries.....I dont have to return every six months, but after four weeks away from aus they do reduce it to the basic pension...they take off all the add ons.....
You are wrong here, the Minimum Increase is 3% and the maximum is 5% This is guaranteed and has been so for many years and is true today, Now what happens to new pensioners in the Future who knows but as it Stands now this is the case.
AlwaysRt said: ↑ Yes but the amount is based on inflation so some years the increase can be zero %. In case of deflation a negative increase (decrease) is not allowed. PJ: You are wrong here I believe. AlwaysRt is correct as I think he is talking about a U.S. Social Security pension, not the U.K.. Some years we get zero increase and other years it is adjusted based on inflation. Also we get the same amount of S.S. pension whether in country or out of country.
Maybe that's why we have to do this. Maybe it is a requirement for NZ. No matter, at present we are stuck with it. What I was really asking was, has anyone found a way to avoid it at least once a year! All this chatter about US and UK pensions is off subject somewhat.