Old Age Pension at 65 ?

kazbo


Joined: 05/04/2009
Posts: 208

Message Posted:
29/12/2009 13:02

If you reside in TRNC - and have no permanent address in UK - are you still entitled to draw your pension at 65 ?

bridie


Joined: 18/09/2008
Posts: 308

Message Posted:
29/12/2009 13:16

Of course you are. We have lived here for many years and have had no addres in Uk, or anywhere else.

Geoff


Joined: 25/06/2008
Posts: 1370

Message Posted:
29/12/2009 13:19

Yes, I do. Also we now get the annual increaes. Contact the International Pensions Centre in Newcastle

for full info. You can have it paid 4 weekly, 3 montly, or 12 monthly into your YTL account here. They get a better exhange rate than we would (e.g. by having it paid into UK account and then transferring it out here):



The Pension Service,

Tyneview Park,

International Pension Centre,

Newcastle upon Tyne,

NE98 1BA,

England



Tel: 0044 191 21 87777



Geoff

Famagusta

kaiserphil


Joined: 14/12/2008
Posts: 1096

Message Posted:
29/12/2009 13:19

Yes, I was drawing mine when living there, though at that time they wouldn't pay it into HSBC Turkey.

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
29/12/2009 13:27

That's good news about the fact that you are now entitle to the annual increases because many people keep a UK address to ensure that they get these increases as they were previously not available.



Geoff, do you get your winter fuel allowance? Only joking!!

Geoff


Joined: 25/06/2008
Posts: 1370

Message Posted:
29/12/2009 13:32

Not such a daft question Scoobydoo. I don't get the Winter Fuel allowance because I wasn't getting it when we moved here. BUT, anyone who gets paid it in UK gets it paid here when they move here - it continues.

I do get the Xmas Payment (£10 this time, was £60 Xmas 2008)

Geoff

scruff


Joined: 15/07/2008
Posts: 1070

Message Posted:
29/12/2009 13:41

Hi Geoff

I can never understand why people getting the Winter Fuel allowance in the UK. are able to retain it when moving here, whereas those leaving the UK. before State Pension age, can't. Seems to encourage cheating which I know goes on re. a UK. address. I assume that the only reason for this silly ruling (IMO) is to save the UK. Exchequer a bit of money?

Geoff


Joined: 25/06/2008
Posts: 1370

Message Posted:
29/12/2009 14:05

If you get the Winter Fuel allowance in UK between age 60 and 65 you continue to get it when you move to an EEC country, OR a few others such as Turkey (incl TRNC). Same if you leave the UK after you are 65, goes with you. To get it in UK between 60 and 65 it is a means-tested benefit, so I never received it; I hasten to add I am far from rich, but not that poor, if you follow my drift. I m 66 actually. So, those who got it keep it. Why don't we all get it I asked Help The Aged? They said they were scared to push it as the likely response would be OK, no one gets it. Why spoil it for others? But it is a two-tier system. And as you say the UK Govt

will save money if they can - having blown billions saving the banks.

Geoff

HER INDOORS



Joined: 14/12/2007
Posts: 152

Message Posted:
29/12/2009 14:47

Geoff Are you saying that your pension is paid straight into your TRNC account here and that you also are entitled to the increases.I knew this happened in the South ,but not in the North.Thanks Terri

Geoff


Joined: 25/06/2008
Posts: 1370

Message Posted:
29/12/2009 15:08

Hi Terri,

Yes, that is correct. It has only been possiblesince April this year when Turkey (incl TRNC) was added to the list. I gather it was added to the list as they are negotiating EU membership. For mor details contact the IPC (see Msg 3 above)

Geoff

elkiton



Joined: 15/03/2009
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
29/12/2009 15:31

Hi you mention winter fuel allowance. have you received it for this winter yet may I ask?

Best Regards

TonyE

malsancak


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 2874

Message Posted:
29/12/2009 16:49

yes, the winter fuel allowance arrived at the end of November

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
29/12/2009 16:56

I know my mother, in UK, has received both her winter fuel allowance and her £10 from the government to help towards Christmas! It's almost a joke isn't it .... £10 but as she says 'it's better than a slap in the face with a wet kipper!'

smithy


Joined: 17/07/2008
Posts: 5301

Message Posted:
29/12/2009 18:24

Sue you say the funniest things )

Joe Soap


Joined: 17/10/2008
Posts: 170

Message Posted:
29/12/2009 20:08

Scoobydoo........... are you sure it's better.



I thought the price of a decent sized kipper was more than £10, tax adjusted, in the UK

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
29/12/2009 21:38

Geoff..you say to qualify for the winter fuel allowance in the UK you are means tested.That is odd becaUSE i HAVE BEEN GETTING IT FOR 9 YRS,and i was working for 5 0f those,so why you did not get it is a mystery. I was not means tested,it just started going into my bank and I had a letter off the DWP telling what it was.



Scoobydoo..She will get extra money if the weather gets really bad.Not all countries in the EU pay Winter Fuel Allowance,so be thankful for small mercies,£10 in her purse is better than nothing....

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
29/12/2009 21:49

Coachie - absolutely - better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick!



Happy New Year to you and Mrs Coachie.



Jean and Paul

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
29/12/2009 21:53

Jeannie..Thankyou, and have a good one yourselves...Keep on posting.....

minertor



Joined: 14/02/2009
Posts: 1238

Message Posted:
29/12/2009 22:04

I get the Winter fuel allowance, have done since I was 60. Don't remember having applied for it, it just came.

State pension increases are paid to all expats except those living in Australia and New Zealand, not sure about Canada.



Tony

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
30/12/2009 07:13

I do not disagree with you Coachie, my mum is grateful for whatever she can get as help, as she said above 'its better than a slap in the face with a wet kipper' or 'kick up the bum with a hobnail boot'

kavenkoy


Joined: 10/04/2008
Posts: 1787

Message Posted:
30/12/2009 07:29

you shouldnt get winter fuel allowance in my opinion if you dont live in uk .....i know an article last month in the time s suggests it will go if and when they proove you live ouside uk



having said that you shouldnt pay tax on your pension ,but you have to .



with pension pots going backwards ,tax at source after 40 years of saving and then governements raiding your pot and moving state retirement age up 3 years .....im thinking nah it isnt worth it now .



so i will increase my payments to myself and keep it myself then have the lump sum at the end of 15years .



kav

smithy


Joined: 17/07/2008
Posts: 5301

Message Posted:
30/12/2009 07:37

why Kav shouldnt they get WF allowance, they still need the money for heating here in the Winter and most people have worked all their lives in the UK so why not get what you are entitled to, or shall we give it all to the immigrants

cooper


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 3386

Message Posted:
30/12/2009 08:18

Winter fuel allowance is not means tested but if you are in receipt of Pension credit you do not receive it.



Info here - http://www.turn2us.org.uk/information__resources/benefits/winter_fuel_payments.aspx



Cooper

Geoff


Joined: 25/06/2008
Posts: 1370

Message Posted:
30/12/2009 09:30

Re Msg No.23: Well I stand corrected about WF Allowance being means tested. Thanks for that Cooper.



Geoff

scruff


Joined: 15/07/2008
Posts: 1070

Message Posted:
30/12/2009 11:45

Hi Geoff

I didn't initially pick up on part of your answer in msg. 3

"You can have it paid 4 weekly, 3 montly, or 12 monthly into your YTL account here. They get a better exchange rate than we would (e.g. by having it paid into UK account and then transferring it out here): "

I was aware that you could have your State Pension paid directly into an ROC bank account, but not aware that this was now available in the TRNC too. I'm particularly interested in the bit about "they get a better exchange rate than we would". Can you provide an example of the exchange rate? i.e how much better is the rate? Can we be sure that "they" will always get a better rate than we do? Finally when does a UK. State Pension payment arrive in your bank account in the TRNC? Is it the same date that it would hit your UK. account.

What I really love about HMG is that they keep these changes to themselves. Reminds me a bit about the TRNC Government & the dissemination of information about new rules.

Geoff


Joined: 25/06/2008
Posts: 1370

Message Posted:
30/12/2009 13:14

You can have it paid into a TRNC bank as we are part of Turkey (Mersin 10 and all that).

The exchange rate ON THE DAY THEY CALCULATE IT, USUALLY 10 DAYS BEFORE YOU ACTUALLY GET IT, works out on average at 1.3% better than you can do for yourself. Be sure to check with your local bank they won't charge you, some do, some do not. Ask around - I am not prepared to name banks one way or the other. We have friends in the ROC who have it paid there - and their bank over there charges them 50 euro-cents each time.

For mor info:

1. Contact the IPC and ask THEM.

2. Check with your bank they can arrange it free.



Geoff

scruff


Joined: 15/07/2008
Posts: 1070

Message Posted:
30/12/2009 13:52

Thanks for the info. Geoff. I tend to contact IPC as little as possible.

Are you totally sure that the reason that this now happens is to do with the Turkey connection?

In the past there was a note on pages connected with Turkey which said "excluding North Cyprus"

My feeling was that the changes (re. increases being paid) were more to do with the position of the TRNC vis a vie the ROC or "Cyprus".

It may amuse you to know that when I received letters from the IPC, they were addressed Girne, Mersin 10, Turkey, Cyprus & they arrived here okay.

kavenkoy


Joined: 10/04/2008
Posts: 1787

Message Posted:
30/12/2009 15:42

message 22.



i think its harsh to take £200 from uk governemnt for winter fuel credit and give it somebody who chooses to live somewhere else ,the fact its warmer etc etc .pensioners in uk deserve everything they get ...if living in uk



im not sayig people havent paid in ,i certainly wouldnt give it immigrants (infact the opposite i would round them up and ship them off) ,may be they should give expats more tax breaks to compensate .



the ones that have paid in all their working lives and now choose to live abroad should get something .



kav

Panchocat


Joined: 29/11/2009
Posts: 1333

Message Posted:
30/12/2009 15:55

Does anyone know if there is an e mail address for the Pensions service please? Thanks.

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
30/12/2009 16:01

Kavenkoy..Why give them more tax breaks? They do not give us pensioners here any more tax breaks.When it comes to not getting something they think they are entitled to,we get the "we have paid all our working lives" which they seem to think they ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO HAVE.When it comes to paying taxes,we get the same cry.They want their cake and eat it at the same time.It was ok a few years ago when t6hey went to the TRNC when property and food etc was dirt cheap,now things are a changing and getting dearer they want every thing they can get their hands on.Like you say some do keep bogus addresses in the UK so they can claim free NHS treatment,but that is coming to an end.Everytime you come back to UK and you see your pasport being electronically swiped,not only does it go to customs and legall authorities it now goes on to the DWP computor,so if you are coming back for a "freebie" be very careful you do not get a bill at the end of your stay..

cooper


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 3386

Message Posted:
30/12/2009 16:08

Message 29 you can contact them through this link - https://secureonline.dwp.gov.uk/tps-directgov/en/contact-tps/ipc.asp



Cooper

cooper


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 3386

Message Posted:
30/12/2009 16:09

Sorry i'll try again - http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories/UsefulContactsByCategory/Over50sContacts/DG_178684

everon


Joined: 18/04/2009
Posts: 956

Message Posted:
30/12/2009 16:14

just to let you all know. Pensions can also be paid weekly x

harita


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 1343

Message Posted:
30/12/2009 16:16

Coachie .. Do you want help down off your "high horse" .. Most of the pensioners I know accept the fact we are here & pay for any medical attention we need .. Note pensioners over 60 for women & 65 for men .. We don't want our cake & eat it .. Only what we are ENTITLED to ..

It appears to me that you know so much of what goes on here that if you lived here you would take everything you could get & be on the first plane back for your medical treatment ..

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
30/12/2009 16:20

We have never been notified officially or not about a winter fuel allowance , means tested or not either .

Simbas

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
30/12/2009 16:45

Harita..You get what you are entitled to,but you do not like paying taxes on it.I pay taxes on my pension so why shouldnt you or anyone else who lives in the TRNC pay the same...I have enough arguments on here about the NHS system and what you are entitled to in the way of free medical care but most of you seem to think you are entitled to anything going because you paid whilst you were living here in UK.I probably pay more in the way of direct taxation than you residents out there do.Wrong about me grabbing anything I could get, I am a little more honest than you seem to think.I can think of better and more stable places to live than TRNC,nice for a couple of weeks holiday but thats it. If you lived in the ROC I would not be debating this with you because you would be resident in a EU country and entitled to what you have paid for as far as I know,medical treatment as well. No doubt if I am wrong you will enlighten me...

minertor



Joined: 14/02/2009
Posts: 1238

Message Posted:
30/12/2009 17:14

msg 28: it's £250 this year, just spent mine on 3 tons of logs.

harita


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 1343

Message Posted:
30/12/2009 17:50

Coachie .. What is the difference about where you live .. Cyprus is Cyprus, please explain why you think they deserve everything in the south, there's only a "Green line" between us .. They elected to live outside of the UK also, can't follow you logic ..

harita


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 1343

Message Posted:
30/12/2009 17:56

Oh ! I forgot if you are paying more in direct taxation, then you must be drawing more .. My heart bleeds for you ..

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
30/12/2009 19:23

Harita..The ROC is in theEU The TRNC is not a member of the EU,so if you lived in the South you would probably get free medical treatment under a reciprocal agreement that ROC has with GB,both being EU members.What vat do you pay in TRNC?Do you pay 17.5% on your gas and electric and water,and anything you buy in electrical shops etc.Do you pay £1200 a year council tax,I dont think so,but you seem to think that you should not pay tax on your pensions.Its all these extra taxes we pay that go towards the NHS and the State pension funds. If you lived in the south you could freely apply for work if you wanted to and not have to worry about permits and residency.No problems about coming back here and worrying about if you will not be let in again,perhaps because your residency lapsed whilst you were away.The point I was making about The people who chose to live in ROC is that they have chosen to live in a recognised EU state same as I choose to live here in a recognised EU state..

scruff


Joined: 15/07/2008
Posts: 1070

Message Posted:
30/12/2009 19:40

I'm sure I'm not alone alone in wishing you'd put a sock in it Coachie. You're so holier than thou & a font of all knowledge. You mention the word "probably" when talking about the ROC. How come you don't actually know?

You say you spend holidays here, but you suggest that the TRNC is an illegal country. If so why do you bother to visit at all. Stay in the UK. & remain bitter.

satranc


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 92

Message Posted:
30/12/2009 21:13

Re Msg 23. Just a slight correction needed . If you receive Pension Credit AND live in a care home you DON'T receive WF allowance. Otherwise, if you receive Pension Credit you ARE entitled and probably in great need of the assistance.

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
30/12/2009 22:51

Scruff..never said TRNC was an ILLEGAL country at any time.Have said it is not an EU member state.

Well I said, probably,because the last time I had any medical treatment in Greek administered place I did not have to pay because we had a reciprocal agreement with them and I was not sure if there would be the same in ROC,but being an EU state I would think that it would apply.No holier than thou attitude at all and definitely not bitter.Get a trifle annoyed when some of you get on your high horses about your pension rights and other items,and you should not be paying tax etc.What you lot pay in tax on your pensions will not be a great deal,after all you all plead that this government robbed your pension.Bear in mind that all the taxes you pay over there are going into the TRNC governments pot, not UK economy,where as all my taxes go to support the UK economy, in other words you are not paying anything worthwhile but you still want the freebies. ask the TRNC to give you a pension rise..

harita


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 1343

Message Posted:
31/12/2009 00:26

Sorry Coachie .. Just got in .. Reading message 40 you are so bitter & twisted it is virtually unbelievable ..

Why you bring up VAT & council tax is your problem not ours .. You want all the freebies .. All we want is what we are ENTITLED to .. Now go forth & multiply .. I'm not rising to your bait anymore .. Your'e a plonker ..

Happy New Year ..

cooper


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 3386

Message Posted:
31/12/2009 08:09

Re Msg 42, thanks for pointing that out.



Cooper

smithy


Joined: 17/07/2008
Posts: 5301

Message Posted:
31/12/2009 08:20

No Bickering please iTs New year eve,

so HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
31/12/2009 08:31

Message 34



Unfortunately it is now not the case that women get theirpension when 60 years old. I have to wait until I am 65 if I am still alive then!



Chris

Geoff


Joined: 25/06/2008
Posts: 1370

Message Posted:
31/12/2009 09:41

Re Msg 27 from Scruff: Well I don't have that in writing from the IPC or from anyone else, it is what one of the IPC's staff said to me on the phone was her understanding - there may be other reasons or additional reason/s for the change of policy towards UK State Pensioners like us living in the TRNC.

The 2-tier plicy on WF payments is not just in respect of those now residing here, but residing anywhere outside the UK on the "list".



May I take this opportunity to wish all on Cyprus44 a very happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year 2010.



Geoff,

Famagusta.

Panchocat


Joined: 29/11/2009
Posts: 1333

Message Posted:
31/12/2009 10:48

Thank you Cooper for the e mail links. Happy New year to everyone from another who has to wait until she is 65 for the pension! Well OK 64 years and 9 months!

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
31/12/2009 16:06

Messages 47 and 49



Yes indeed. I was born in November 1950 and will receive my state pension when I reach the age of 60 years and 9 months. Had I been born up to the month of June 1950, I would have received it when I reached my 60th birthday. Calculated on a sliding scale - that slides pretty quickly



Jean

HER INDOORS



Joined: 14/12/2007
Posts: 152

Message Posted:
31/12/2009 16:10

Thanks Geoff for your info - very interesting,although I am not yet ready to draw my pension

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
31/12/2009 21:43

It appears that in 2010 that WFA will only be paid to over 65 yr olds...

cooper


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 3386

Message Posted:
31/12/2009 21:54

Info here regarding WFA for 2010 - http://www.pensionage.co.uk/page_1204740408671.html



Cooper

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
31/12/2009 22:17

cOOPER...No2 ...was interesting..."you reside in the UK"

harita


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 1343

Message Posted:
01/01/2010 01:44

Oh no !! .. We got £250 between us .. Does that mean we have to pay £50 back ..

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
02/01/2010 23:02

Harita..The payment is for 2010,but it says that you noramally live in the UK.Do not think Ozankoy is in the UK so keep your fingers crossed...

harita


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 1343

Message Posted:
02/01/2010 23:41

Coachie/cooper .. http://www.pensionage.co.uk/page_1204740408671.html is wrong



http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/Benefits/BenefitsInRetirement/DG_10018657



How much you can get

The amount of Winter Fuel Payment that you can get varies according to your personal situation.



Circumstances Aged 60 to 79 on or before 27 September 2009 Aged 80 or over on or before 27 September 2009

You live alone or are the only person in the household who qualifies £250 £400

You get Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income related Employment and Support Allowance £250 £400

You live with another qualifying individual £125 £275 if you are the only person in the household who's aged 80 or over





£200 if you and at least one other person are aged 80 or over

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
02/01/2010 23:56

harita. you are stating the allowances for 2009 for age 60 plus but it is changıng from 2010 to 2020 to age 65.

harita


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 1343

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 00:02

So sorry ... But as I understand it .. If you qualified for WFA in 2006 you wont be affected .. The changes are for those who have yet to get it ..

lucienne


Joined: 29/01/2009
Posts: 129

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 00:29

Have just found out that I will not get my pension until 4 months before my 65th birthday. Now in the position where having paid full contribution for 30 years cannot retire as thought at 60 and yet however much more that I pay I will not receive any more pension or be able to claim my state pension when I thought that I may. This works out at about £25000 that i will be losing, if you add up every woman of my age and those born in the four years berore me, think how many £25000s this government has stolen from us, and, on a different theme, where is it all going?

cooper


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 3386

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 00:49

Thanks for highlighting that harita, it would appear they have the rates wrong in the link i provided although the main reason i posted it was in reply to Msg 52 and to show that the age to receive payment of WFA will not change suddenly to 65 but will rise incrementally between the years 2010/20.



Cooper

minertor



Joined: 14/02/2009
Posts: 1238

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 13:14

msg 29, panchocat: received e-mail regarding my state pension. I was 65 last Sunday. The Pension Service website is at: http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk



Tony

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 13:34

Harita ...having looked at the link you posted it is apparent you are correct and EACH OF YOU GETS £125 making £250 in total ,that is providing you are not claiming any other benefits,so you dont have to pay anthing back.



Lucienne..people are living alot longer nowadays so their pension has to be paid over alonger period of time,and seing as how they do not pay NI contributions The only other was is to make future retirees to pay more or defer their payments to a later date.My wife works part time and is over pensionable age but she has to pay NI without any increase in her pension..NI does not just pay for your Pension alone,it pays for NHS and all the increases in pension and extra pension benefits...so I dont think they have robbed you of anything...How can you be robbed of something you have never had....

teatime


Joined: 20/10/2008
Posts: 852

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 13:51

Msg 60. Lucienne, my wife is in exactly the same position. Unfortunately women have been wanting equality with men in the workplace for a long time, this is one of the results, everyone gets pension at 65. It'll then be moved to 68 and then 70, but that won't effect us by then.

Ballyboffin


Joined: 25/08/2007
Posts: 903

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 13:54

Coachie,



I have been reading your views on this post and dopey's question about DLA.



As you say you wouldn't like to live in TRNC, buy property there and it is only good for a couple of weeks holiday, I have to ask why you are a member of this information board ?

harita


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 1343

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 15:28

Coachie .. Most of the people of state pensionable age here, especially the ones I know realise the only benefits are the ones they are entitled to ..



Ballyboffin .. I have been asking that question for months .. Why he shows so much interest as to what people get or dont get here, puzzles me .. He would be much better targeting all the scroungers in the UK and leaving us to enjoy our retirement without reading all his whinging ..



By the way coachie .. Tell your wife to stop working & the NI contributions will stop .. You appear to want to have your cake & eat it .. Double standards I detect

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 16:11

Following on from the above i.e. the sliding scale for women's state pension, will we still be eligible for free prescriptions when we reach 60 or will we have to wait until we are in receipt of the state pension?



Thanks.



J

harita


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 1343

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 16:16

Well Jeannie .. We got free prescriptions when we were 60 (men) cant see any reason why you should not get the same at 60 ..

If you see coachie .. Tell him we pay for ours here .. Not a lot but pay for them ..

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 16:21

Jeannie. Good question. The answer is you will get the free prescription when you reach 60.

everon


Joined: 18/04/2009
Posts: 956

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 16:26

prescriptions are not linked to pensions, so things could change with any future budget/government change etc x

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 17:04

Thanks everyone for your replies. Fingers crossed things won't change regarding prescriptions. Mind you, with the country being so strapped for cash, nothing would surprise me



Harita - not much chance of me bumping into Coachie - we live at opposite ends of the country



J

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 17:08

B allyboffin/Harita..I was at one point considering a purchase in TRNC and was given this website to obtain info..After visiting TRNC and finding out the pitfalls of purchasing there, I decided not to buy.I was not aware that you had to be a resident or owner to be a member of the forum. As for my wife working,that is her decision not mine, so there are no double standards involved.I am not "whinging" as you say,but pointing out some of the pitfalls that are waiting to trap you.I hope you are enjoying your retirement out there and the best of luck to you .I dont have to worry about scroungers back here,the benefits agency is doing a good job there,54,000 cheats caught last year. I think you will find that I have never said that you are not entitled to pensions,but I have said that I do not think you or I should be entitled to WFA. It was brought out with Idea of helping Older people who had not a lot of money through the winter months in this country,not to pay for your a/c in summer.

teatime


Joined: 20/10/2008
Posts: 852

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 17:53

Totally agree with Coachie on WFA (told you I would find something Coachie). It should be scrapped as it's a totally inefficient way of using taxpayers money. Give the pensioners a livable pension in the first place, so that they can afford to heat their homes without extra handouts.

mamachina


Joined: 22/11/2008
Posts: 730

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 17:58

As far as the Fuel allowance goes, it does get colder here too, ok not so much, but the expense of keeping a house warm still mounts up in the winter surely? Extra gas bottle, or wood, or electricity for a/c's. So, if the pensioner was entitled before coming here, yes, let them keep it! And if they are 'real' pensioners, every little helps these days.

harita


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 1343

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 18:02

teatime .. Either way we win .. Our pensions go up here .. Go on say we dont deserve that ..

teatime


Joined: 20/10/2008
Posts: 852

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 19:16

Harita, Yes you do deserve that, as I will when I eventually get my pension. Why I believe the WFA is a farce is because it's paid from the age of 60, whether one has retired or not. So, for example, because someone I work with is a couple of years older than me, they get a payment for WFA, even though they earn the same as me! Does this really make sense?

Ballyboffin


Joined: 25/08/2007
Posts: 903

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 19:21

Message 72 Coachie,



You are quite correct that this is a public forum and anyone can be a member. What puzzles me though is why would someone with no interest in TRNC would want to read and reply to the posts on here which are in the main about North Cyprus.



I once was interested in buying a property in ROC but decided against it, I certainly don't read any of the BB's for there.

harita


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 1343

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 19:23

teatime .. Does anything the Government do make sense

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 19:27

harita - no - just seems to be one hare-brained idea after another, to me.

teatime


Joined: 20/10/2008
Posts: 852

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 20:14

Msg 78. Nope, can't think of a single thing ;-)

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 20:34

Ballyboffin ..the reason I stay on here is because I find it very interesting to see some of the comments that go back and forth.Nothing like a discussion to keep things interesting whether the comments are right or wrong and you will find that I am the first to admit if I have made a wrong comment.What I dont like is people over there continually pulling the Government to pieces when in actual fact to me it should not concern you,after all you do not live here.Worry about what the TRNC/Turkish government are up to and leave us to worry about ours.You may be British by birth right but you have chosen to live in a foreign country and take residency there then you should be classified as Turkish Cypriots. When Turkish Cypriots come to England They try their damnest to marry and English girl so they can get British Citezen ship and all the benefits that go with it..Then when they get it they scarper and leave the girl to pick up the pieces.

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 20:43

jeannie move to wales the percriptions are free there for some reason. Dont knoe about anywhere else in uk xxxxx

harita


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 1343

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 20:47

Coachie .. Quite a lot of what the Government does affects us here & does concern us .. We are & always will be British,we will never be TC's .. Appears to me you want to stay on this forum is to get right up our noses ..

On almost every posting you contradict yourself ..

Oleander


Joined: 03/05/2009
Posts: 302

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 21:04

My feeling is that it would be fairer if it was paid out to qualifying individuals on production of fuel bills for the relevant winter period. Rightstobenefits website confirms the hike in qualifying age:

"The bad news is, THE MINIMUM AGE will rise from 60yrs to 65 between now and 2010! It is also assumed that this age qualification will rise even further after that – maybe to 68 – or so for this fuel allowance!"

Worth mentioning that, if you live abroad and claim it for a UK address - anyone else of qualifying age residing in that UK address will have their WFA reduced proportionately so that only one total payment is made.

I do have a UK address (shared with a UK partner) and a Cyprus address and do qualify in the UK for WFA but it is halved between us. I find the simplest and fairest way to deal with it is to immediately repay what I received back to UK partner who is living in the cold UK and needs to spend more on fuel!

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 21:05

Harita ..damn ..you have sussed me out..but i still aint going away...

Ballyboffin


Joined: 25/08/2007
Posts: 903

Message Posted:
03/01/2010 21:25

Coachie, Message 81



I am only answering this because you have directed this at me, under the assumption that I live " over there" in North Cyprus which I do not. I do own property in Cyprus - Deeds in hand on a pre-74 title, for which I pay my taxes in TRNC.



Myself ? I can choose to be British, Irish or since I was born in Singapore and hold a Singapore passport, Singaporean. However since my main home is in Northern Ireland, I still pay considerable tax to the British Government and have done for the last 40 years, only ever having had family allowance from them. My OAP like many other women my age has been postponed until I am a few years over 60.



What I nor any other foreigner can never be is a Turkish Cypriot, resident or citizen maybe, but one can only be regarded as a TC if born there or marry one.



Your comment about Turkish Cypriots coming to 'England' only to marry to get British Citizenship,

Oh dear, I hope you have a very long shovel to get out of that one.

rsalih


Joined: 01/11/2008
Posts: 306

Message Posted:
04/01/2010 06:26

coachie, İf i move to Japan , i will never be Japanese will i !!!!!!!!

Hippo


Joined: 02/02/2007
Posts: 2070

Message Posted:
04/01/2010 07:37

Hey Roachie- we get our winter fuel allowance bu using a friends address but unfortunately they are now of age that they get the allowance so it is shared out between us.



We got around that by moving into (hypothetically that is) their garage and calling no 11a.



Going back for my checkup and any prescriptions i may need in a couple of weeks my family doctor is of the old school, believes that being British and having paid your taxes and of course fought for your country that you are entitled.



Better here in the sun ,what and still being able to get it all.

Dont you wish you Where here



Whats your weather like?he he