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How can I claim my UK state pension while living in Thailand?
UK State PensionThailandExpat AdviceDWP International ClaimsPension Claim ProcessVisa and Immigration Issues
Feb 23, 2026
2 months ago
Stephen ********
ORIGINAL POSTERHas anyone recently claimed there UK state pension, mine is due this year, I have contacted the international DWP, and they sent me a form electronically which a lot of the questions I have no answer, I was told before I came here in 2023 that I could do the claim over the phone, I was also told this by the DWP in the UK before I came, is this still the situation, many thanks in advance for any advice.
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user is seeking advice on claiming their UK state pension while living in Thailand. They mentioned receiving an electronic form from the DWP with many questions they couldn't answer and were informed they could claim over the phone—a process they want to verify. Several comments suggest that claiming over the phone is indeed easier, with some users sharing their experiences of completing the claim with minimal questions. However, they also caution that living in Thailand will freeze the pension at the rate it is when claiming, and that declaring residence incorrectly could lead to severe penalties. Users advise contacting the DWP directly through their dedicated international number and note the importance of providing proper documentation.
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John *********
A phone call to their dedicated International number. By far the best way todo it. Mine was due in July and I was paid it in late December. Depends on whoever the agent is. Sometimes helpful and efficient. Sometimes not.
I would not advise trying to be smart with DWP, you need to accept that living here WILL freeze your pension. Any due back payment can be either a lump sum or spread over your pension payment. Your choice. Your pension will follow on your designated payment date which relates to your NI number. You will receive a letter shortly after explaining your entitlement.
I would not advise trying to be smart with DWP, you need to accept that living here WILL freeze your pension. Any due back payment can be either a lump sum or spread over your pension payment. Your choice. Your pension will follow on your designated payment date which relates to your NI number. You will receive a letter shortly after explaining your entitlement.
Stephen ********
ORIGINAL POSTERJohn Kenealy can you tell me why they made you wait 4 to 5 months for your first payment, when your first payment should have been August.
John *********
Stephen Morris I have no idea. They promised to send me stuff. I received nothing. There was also an issue of paying up my contributions to enhance my pension. I believe that you can get ahead of the game. Claim your pension as soon as the system allows, or defer it. Which of course is for you to decide on.
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John *********
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Ian ********
When you ask for the letter to be sent to Thailand 555
Claire ************
Ian Carman We told them that the mail system here is appalling and that we don't receive letters for months, if at all. We gave them a friend's address and asked them to note it in their records as our official correspondence address. Our friend scans and emails the stuff to us. Reliable and quicker.
Ian ********
My comment was that they would realize that you’ve moved abroad
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Ian ********
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Dave ******
Wait until after the rise in April....
Tim ***********
Does that work? I am fuel to claim mid march. Thought ir was based on the date of birth not the date of claim but happy to be wrong
Reply to
Tim ***********
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Judy *******
I did mine a couple of months ago over the phone
Joe **********
You have to declare that your living in thailand and yes they will freeze it at the rate it is on the day you claim, can't have you claiming the winter fuel allowance when your living in 30 degrees now can we?
Dave ******
Joe Wongsena or got the aircon on to avoid a heart attack from heat stress.
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Dave ******
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Mike ********
Phone
Paul *****
If you haven’t already, go online and create a GOV.UK account with password, N.I. No. etc.
I found this website portal very helpful.
I found this website portal very helpful.
Eddie ********
Adim have a word with your self
Eddie ********
This web sites is shite
Go to gov Web sites.
I do.
INDIANS do not moan. They get on with it
Go to gov Web sites.
I do.
INDIANS do not moan. They get on with it
Andy **********
Yes , i heard this , that they freeze your payments in thailand.
Dennis *********
Andy Thompson but not the philipines for some reason .
Glenn ********
Dennis Nellany
Or the USA😎
Or the USA😎
Dennis *********
Glenn Murphy nobody want's to go to the USA these days .
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Dennis *********
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Andy **********
Dennis Nellany yes its strange , does not apply to certain countries , i think in europe is ok.!..👍
Dennis *********
Andy Thompson only if you are out of the UK more than 170 days a year so do 6months and a day in the uk / Philipines and 5 months and 29 days in Thailand .
Roy *******
Andy Thompson Benidorm,no problem.
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Roy *******
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Naresh ********
Don't tell them anything or your location those robbing fkers will freeze your pension at the present rate, do your research, many expats from past stuck on same rate they left on,
Naresh ********
Some of people need to chill or go back to UK, just wrote a half funny comment and you're all serious,
Rick *********
Naresh Nataly what a stupid comment
Naresh ********
Rick Blowers why cause I'm telling the corrupt UK govt to fk off
Rick *********
Naresh Nataly no because fraudulently claiming while living abroad could lead to fines and imprisonment 🤡
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Rick *********
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Brian ********
Naresh Nataly
Telling DWP you live in UK when you live over here is benefit fraud and if they find out they will hammer you.
A friend of mine got caught and had to pay back all the overpayments plus a fine equal to the overpayments.
Telling DWP you live in UK when you live over here is benefit fraud and if they find out they will hammer you.
A friend of mine got caught and had to pay back all the overpayments plus a fine equal to the overpayments.
Naresh ********
Brian Cooley I don't live in Thailand,come for long visits, travelling that's the difference
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Naresh ********
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Kevin *******
Naresh Nataly and risk them stopping the pension completely plus fines ! With these new passports they know where you are and where you've! Been !
Ken *****
Kevin Dunne that’s why they were after the I/ d card.
Two choco bars this week. Can’t have more??
Scenario.
Easier to get it paid into your Uk bank.
And just use it when you want it.
It’s not a benefit??
Don’t forget that!!
Two choco bars this week. Can’t have more??
Scenario.
Easier to get it paid into your Uk bank.
And just use it when you want it.
It’s not a benefit??
Don’t forget that!!
Brian ********
Ken Lee
It is classified as a contrbutory benefit by the government and always has been.
It is classified as a contrbutory benefit by the government and always has been.
Rick *********
Ken Lee I think you’ll find it is classed as a benefit so claiming it from abroad while trying to pretend you still live in the UK is benefit fraud, if caught you pay back what what was fraudulently claimed + fines and up to 7 years in prison
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Rick *********
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Stephen *******
Forget the form. A few minutes on the phone, quite painless.
Stephen ********
ORIGINAL POSTERStephen Croft did you do yours recently?
Stephen *******
Stephen Morris about 3 years ago. I saw that form, dozens of irrelevant pages. On the phone it was. NI number. DOB, last postal address. 1st and last employer. Had I served in the armed forces. Name, but I gave that as soon as I got talking to her.
She might have asked if I had another pension, I can't remember that. I was talking about 5 mins. I actually got my NI wrong, but she said I was near enough. I got all the number but mixed the last 2 pairs up. I'd actually checked before I called.
She might have asked if I had another pension, I can't remember that. I was talking about 5 mins. I actually got my NI wrong, but she said I was near enough. I got all the number but mixed the last 2 pairs up. I'd actually checked before I called.
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Stephen *******
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Carol ********
I did mine a couple of months ago via the gov login, not many questions took less than 30 mins
Need NI number, dates of marriage/divorce, military service (if applicable)
Easy peasy
Need NI number, dates of marriage/divorce, military service (if applicable)
Easy peasy
Barney ********
I just phoned em up, they asked for nat ins number and a few security questions and then what bank account and that was it. I guess it depends how kosher you are)
Reply to
Barney ********
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