Peter Bottomley on expat state pension unfairness.

[anajinn]

Thanks, Mr. Bottomley. Peter Bottomley supports some good causes and speaks out.

[Cliff2955]

The concepts of Justice and blatant discrimination are not compatible. Since British MP's are steadfast in their disinterest in this subject they are the creators of an a system of unfairness that is unjust and thereby devoid of morality. The British voters are shareholders in this immoral system of blatant discrimination. The State is thereby both anti-Christian and corrupt.

[bikerbrianc]

he Liberal Democrats also proposed an amendment to the 2006 Pensions Bill that called for pensions, including for those served overseas, be linked to prices and earnings. We again raised the issue of overseas pensions not being up-rated in debates on the Pension Act 2007. Please rest assured that the party’s long held commitment to challenging and rectifying the situation remains steadfast.

From the Office of Nick Clegg MP

[bikerbrianc]

Extract from a letter from the Liberal Democrats

2nd Dec. 2009

I can assure you that Liberal Democrats firmly believe that pensioners that have paid taxes and contributed towards National Insurance should not be penalised for choosing to live abroad in retirement.

[bikerbrianc]

Latest News:

565,000 pensioners, who live in frozen countries and have frozen pensions,have decided to return to the UK costing the government an estimated £ 400,000,000 per yeay in health care cost and £141,250,000 a year in cold weather payments.The government seems unconcerned and decides to encourage all pensioners to return to the UK.

[alan301055]

I have always known that our goverments do not support British tax paying people who for what ever reason decide to live in other parts of the world. You pay your tax and NI and you get nothing for it if you live outside the uk no pension increases and no Heath care if you return to uk.In most peoples minds what do you call people who take money off you for nothing its called stealing. So I support your efforts. Good luck.

[mrmazinkle]

People come to the UK for many reasons,persecution in their own countries,wars,and yes even to make a better life for themselves.Successive gvmnts have looked after these people with free state handouts contributed by working people and their taxes.Now some of these people retire and are denied equal rights..How did we get here?It seems totally unequitable to me.I have no plans to live abroad but will support you..Good luck..

[nok08021981]

Extract from a letter from the Liberal Democrats

2nd Dec. 2009

I can assure you that Liberal Democrats firmly believe that pensioners that have paid taxes and contributed towards National Insurance should not be penalised for choosing to live abroad in retirement. We believe that the government should meet with groups representing pensioners to discuss how provision of a pension can be secured for those living overseas.

From the Office of Nick Clegg MP

[genwoolfe]

434 views since this appeared a month ago suggests the international consortium of expat British pensioners are losing the battle or not trying hard enough. You (it isn't 'we' yet as i'm not old enough) won't get anywhere unless everyone effected draws attention to your plight, inc those currently receiving increments abroad (see my earlier post).

[Cliff2955]

@genwoolfe

Do you think those affected can all afford the internet, let alone use it to find this site? These are elderly people. We are supposed to be of Christian sensibilities.

[TomCarabao]

The separate office for the pensions overseas section is presumably largely involved with deciding who is ineligible for updated payments. Is it possible that the cost of running this section exceeds the cost of paying the full (i.e. correct) amount to all overseas pensioners? Savings from closure could finance the ending of current discriminatory practices, and payments, if at the same level as to UK-resident pensioners, could be then be administered from the main office.

[Domnliz]

British ex-pats save the Britian a huge amount of money, by not being a drain on the NHS, we are not asking for cold weather payments, or anything else. We only want what we paid into, 30 years contributions is what's need to receive FULL pension, not 30 years = FROZEN pension just because we wanted to be with our family members in our retirement years. Britain has many foreign ex-pats from worldwide, who's pension's are not frozen, why should I have to beg welfare from Canada in my old age?

[Domnliz]

I live in Canada, and yes this law is crazy as it stands. I had an up-date from the UK on my NI contributions, it stated that I have 34 years of contributions, and that I only need 30 years contributions, to claim FULL state pension. The same letter went on to explain that I could pay another 5 years contributions if I wanted to. The letter did not inform me that if I remain in Canada my pension would be FROZEN from the day I reach 65! UNFAIR, you bet!

[Cliff2955]

@Domnliz

Right on - the facts are being avoided by the anti-Christian mob of corrupt and immoral British Mp's.

[genwoolfe]

Having failed in the Carson case why not sue on the grounds of positive discrimination in favour of those living in countries where payments are permitted? This will force ALL expat pensioners to support your cause & give you a much bigger voice.

[nok08021981]

Extract from a letter from the Liberal Democrats

2nd Dec. 2009 Britons living abroad become financially worse off each year despite the fact they may have a full contribution record their pension is not increased with inflation as it is for those pensioners living in Britain. We continue to believe that there is a pressing issue of injustice surrounding frozen pensions.

From the Office of Nick Clegg MP

[Cliff2955]

@nok08021981

So, if Nick Clegg chooses not to appear so evil as his anti-Christian and corrupt brethren, why does not say or do something about this issue of blatant discrimination?

[northernsenior]

Canada is in the British commonwealth then why are we not counted? my pension is banked in UK but because I live in Canada it is frozen!!!

[tinkerbell8877]

Expat British pensioners have paid in all required funds over their working life-time and now in their retirement they are greatly penalized, discriminated against and made to feel that all they were was a cash grab for the UK Government. I hope none of the nay-sayers ever find themselves in this position, and end up living under a poverty level that should not be. These people fought in 2 Wars and are discarded like trash. I am a Canadian but I will continue to help this ongoing battle.

[27blueyonder]

No repsonsible polititon would put his hand on his heart and agree the situation of frozen pensions is just and honest.

All my working life in simple terms of contract, I have paid NI and guarnteed performance, the Uk government have renaged on this contract. However it is unfair to blame politicions when the root cause is the Pension Service., From my dealings with them they need a shake up and be made more aware they are a service to us and certainly Alexis Cleveland should be terminated.

[Cliff2955]

@27blueyonder

Please understand that unfair is what happens to ordinary people. Politicians are not ordinary people. It is their chosen occupation to represent the people and steer and manage the system of government for the people and thereby by the people. When they fail the test of decency in this then they are fairly held responsible.