Fw: Unfrozen pension

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Kay Hourigan

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Nov 6, 2024, 7:53:26 PMNov 6
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From: Kay Hourigan
Sent: Wednesday, 6 November 2024 7:40 AM
To: bapaemail@yahoogroups. com <bapa...@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Unfrozen pension
 
Hi All

I have just received a letter,  via my UK MP, refusing to upgrade my pension as I was in the UK and Ireland for less than a month. I was actually there for four weeks and six days.

In the past I have been paid for two weeks. Has there been a change to our entitlement that I am unaware of?

I shall query with them what constitutes a month.

Kay Hourigan

Melbourne

 

Paul Moore

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Nov 6, 2024, 8:09:03 PMNov 6
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I applied direct to the pension office. Its nothing to do with your MP. I was in Uk less than a month, but I was also in France. It all got paid eventually.
you have to tell them all your flight numbers and entry and exit times and dates though.
regds
Paul Moore


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Kay Hourigan

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Nov 6, 2024, 10:41:49 PMNov 6
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Hi Paul

I involved the MP as I wasn't getting a response from DWP. Plus I was making a point with the MP who didn't understand that as an overseas elector I had the same rights to support as his other electors.

The MP put it through an appeal process with DWP and the response was I was not entitled.  How long ago were you in the UK?

Kay
From: bapa...@googlegroups.com <bapa...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Paul Moore <pandj...@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, 7 November 2024 12:04 PM
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Subject: Re: [bapanews] Fw: Unfrozen pension
 

vivienne bentley walker

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Nov 6, 2024, 11:59:47 PMNov 6
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Not sure why your MP was involved.  If you are talking about your uk pension being increased whilst you are in the uk, you call the international pensions and give then the date you enter and leave with a uk address and it is increased for that period, we did this in August while in England 

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elizabeth cardoo

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Nov 7, 2024, 12:00:02 AMNov 7
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Hi, I find giving them a call works. I was in UK in May and got updated whilst I was there. Many years ago I was told it was for a minimum of 6 weeks, but was surprised I got it for the 4 weeks. 
Cheers 
Elizabeth 
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On 7 Nov 2024, at 12:09, Paul Moore <pandj...@gmail.com> wrote:



Lesley and Bob Maxwell

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Nov 7, 2024, 12:50:12 AMNov 7
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If you are fortunate enough to be in receipt of an Aussie pension too, remember that it will be adjusted downwards whilst you receive the updated UK pension. It took a while too for our Aussie pension to revert to normal as the UK were really slow to advise Australia when the UK pension went back down. Took a lot more phone calls to get it sorted and for us it just wasn’t worth the hassle - we were in UK just over 4 weeks.
Lesley


On 7 Nov 2024, at 12:59 PM, vivienne bentley walker <viviennebe...@gmail.com> wrote:



Kay Hourigan

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Nov 7, 2024, 3:43:06 AMNov 7
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I have just received a copy of the letter to the MP. My request for the additional pension was refused because I didn't apply within one month of my trip.  In fact I applied one month and eight days.

I have never been advised there was a time limit on the applications.

Kay
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Sent: Thursday, 7 November 2024 3:51 PM

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Subject: Re: [bapanews] Fw: Unfrozen pension

Annie Cory

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Nov 7, 2024, 3:47:58 AMNov 7
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I am not sure what merry go round you have been on.  Paul is correct.  You just phone the pensions department.  They take the details of your flights and dates.  There’s no need to confirm in writing.   They are always very chatty and helpful.  I visit Sweden and the UK often and never have a problem with getting the increased pension.

Regards, 
Annie

On 7 Nov 2024, at 13:41, Kay Hourigan <Hou...@outlook.com> wrote:



Ian Jarratt

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Nov 9, 2024, 11:06:44 PMNov 9
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I too have never had any problems getting the UK state pension unfrozen by phone when I am going to be in the UK and other eligible countries.
I did it recently but I had forgotten that they do not want you to contact them more than a month before the requested starting date, so i had to phone them twice.
The unfreezing increased my pension by about 25% and for almost 7 weeks, so it was well worth doing.
I am not aware of any minimum period you have to be in an unfrozen country in order to get your pension unfrozen. 
The point someone made about the implications of unfreezing for oz age pension recipients is very good, but not relevant for me.
When overseas, I also suspend my private health insurance.
Ian J
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Robert Woodward

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Nov 10, 2024, 1:39:53 AMNov 10
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Interesting read, regarding getting your UK pension unfrozen when on holiday abroad.

However, does anyone know if there is a period of time spent in an 'unfrozen,' country, whereby your pension retains its new level, or does this only happen if you permanently return to the UK, or other unfrozen country?

Cheers Rob.

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Paul Moore

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Nov 10, 2024, 2:57:09 AMNov 10
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I got a separate payment extra to my normal paayment which was difference between the frozen and unfrozen for the days i was in Uk and europe.
cheers
paul
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On 10 Nov 2024, at 17:39, Robert Woodward <robertpau...@gmail.com> wrote:



Neil Hillman

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Nov 11, 2024, 9:29:37 PMNov 11
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Hi - 
 
But I understood the question was [paraphrased] 'to what level of payment does the pension revert to when you come back to Australia, after it being increased during your time in the UK?' (which I don't think has been answered).
 
i.e. does it go back to the level of payment you first received when you drew the pension in Australia, or does it remain frozen at the 'new' increased level in force at the time you visited the UK?
 
Secondary question if I may: when you return to the UK for a month of two, do you get a 'backdated' difference payment on what you missed out on by being in Australia? (The net effect of which would be to bring you back up to what you would have received had you stayed in the UK.)
 
I don't qualify in any way for an Australian pension, but my wife and I will shortly be able to claim a full UK state pension.
 
Kindest regards,
 
Neil.
------------------------------
Sent: Thursday, 7 November 2024 12:04 PM
Subject: Re: [bapanews] Fw: Unfrozen pension
I applied direct to the pension office. Its nothing to do with your MP. I was in Uk less than a month, but I was also in France. It all got paid eventually.
you have to tell them all your flight numbers and entry and exit times and dates though.
regds
Paul Moore
On Thu, 7 Nov 2024 at 11:53, Kay Hourigan <Hou...@outlook.com> wrote:
------------------------------
From: Kay Hourigan
Sent: Wednesday, 6 November 2024 7:40 AM
To: bapaemail@yahoogroups. com <bapa...@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Unfrozen pension
Hi All
 
I have just received a letter, via my UK MP, refusing to upgrade my pension as I was in the UK and Ireland for less than a month. I was actually there for four weeks and six days.
 
In the past I have been paid for two weeks. Has there been a change to our entitlement that I am unaware of?
 
I shall query with them what constitutes a month.
 
Kay Hourigan
 
Melbourne
 
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Robert Woodward

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Nov 11, 2024, 9:51:20 PMNov 11
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Hi Neil,

Correct, my question was misunderstood and you understood correctly. 

It could be the case that if you stay on the UK for example, for a year, then when/if you return to Australia it's frozen again, but at the increased level.

Just curious that's all!

Regards, Rob. 


Steve Symmons

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Nov 11, 2024, 10:33:25 PMNov 11
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It goes back to the rate when you first left UK for a “frozen” jurisdiction, or first claimed the UK pension while in Australia (or other frozen jurisdiction).
Only if you 

Jill & Ken Willes

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Nov 11, 2024, 11:30:54 PMNov 11
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My understanding is this. 

When you (and your partner) return to UK, after the appropriate notifications to the UK Pensions office, your pension(s) are increased by the indexed amounts from what you were originally granted, to what you would have received at the date of travel had you remained in the UK and enjoyed full indexation over the years. 

When you leave UK your pension (s) return to the original grant level not the new indexed amount.  The increased payments are only paid for the duration of your stay, not backdated to when you originally left UK

It  used to be the case that even if you travelled to any of the Schengen countries in Europe, the uprating was also paid.  That situation may have changed after Brexit. Someone may correct me if I’m wrong but this is my well researched view.

Don’t forget that if you are on a Centrelink pension, you will need to notify Centrelink of the increased UK payment. Likewise you will need to declare the increased pension payment in your ATO return. Also remember that you can claim the 8% undeducted contribution on the increased amount as a tax deduction 

Ken Willes 

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On 12 Nov 2024, at 1:51 PM, Robert Woodward <robertpau...@gmail.com> wrote:



Gary Rees

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Nov 11, 2024, 11:31:22 PMNov 11
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Ok I’ve done this a few times.

You only get the updated amount whilst you are in the UK or EU, US etc.

You get only for the period you are there.

When you get back to Oz , it reverts back to the amount ( reduced amount) you always get.

If you can get the UK pension and can afford it, delay it a year or two, then when you apply your pension will be paid and frozen at the amount that is applicable at the time you apply.

Pensions are normally increased after 5th of April so timing is crucial and you need to let the pensions dept know what your plans are and your address in Oz, they will then write to you when it’s due.

Hope that helps

Gary


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On 12 Nov 2024, at 11:33, Steve Symmons <stsy...@gmail.com> wrote:



alexander whitehead

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Nov 11, 2024, 11:31:33 PMNov 11
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your pension goes back to your normal amount in australia , bean  there done that trust me AEX

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bapanews/CAHg2RFR1sWXtbULhVzr_V0807B1yTWa99gBVPhedQRd%2BO1Micg%40mail.gmail.com.

Michael Goodall

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Nov 11, 2024, 11:39:33 PMNov 11
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There is so much misinformation in this string of e-mails about you pension while in the UK and deferring a claim. I will respond with the accurate version when I've more time.

Best regards,
Mike Goodall
Tel:-     +61 8 6364 0859


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Sent: Tuesday, 12 November 2024 11:45 AM

Marcus Wigan

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Nov 12, 2024, 2:17:42 AMNov 12
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The way it has worked fir me us as follows

First I set up my wife’s entitlement to a uk pension based on my state oension contributions . This has worked faultlessly for 13 years now. The level has stayed frozen fir the entire period at the level it first started

My state pension component after this step has also worked faultlessly (but for annual yes I can prove I am still alive bureaucratice verifications each year) for 23 years. The level has remained unchanged since the day it started.

On each visit to the UK I have notified oversea state pensions office of the days and flights I arrived and left. My wife has done the same.

During that period the payment jumped to the rate it would have been if I’d been resident in the uk(or the favoured location of the USA)

As soon as I returned to australia it reverted to the frozen rate it has been for 23 years in my case and 13 fur my wife’s.

You need to be aware that although the USA and other locations are not frozen, visiting them as an australian resident does not cause your pension to jump to the unfrozen level although those resident in the USA are indeed unfrozen and continue to be

I hope that answers all your questions clearly
Marcus Wigan
Australia




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On 12 Nov 2024, at 14:33, Steve Symmons <stsy...@gmail.com> wrote:



vivienne bentley walker

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Nov 12, 2024, 4:56:32 AMNov 12
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Whatever pension you receive from the uk when you reach the age requirement, is the amount it reverts back to when you return to Australia.

Whilst you are in the UK you will receive the amount the full pension is at that stage.

On Tue, 12 Nov 2024, 10:29 am Neil Hillman, <neil.h...@theaudiosuite.com> wrote:
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