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Why is the UK state pension not index-linked for retirees living in Thailand, and what alternatives are there?
UK State PensionPension IndexationThailandPhilippinesExpatriate BenefitsSocial Security AgreementsRetirement Living AbroadPensioner Rights
Mar 2, 2026
2 months ago
Phil *********
ORIGINAL POSTERI don’t understand why the United Kingdom state pension is not index linked when you retire in Thailand , yet if I move to the Philippines it is , who makes these stupid rules and way , is there anyway around this ?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The UK State Pension does not provide index-linked increases for retirees living in Thailand due to the absence of a reciprocal social security agreement between the two countries. In contrast, the Philippines has such an agreement with the UK, which ensures annual increases for pensioners. The discrepancies in pension treatments arise from international agreements and financial considerations set by the UK government. Expats considering retirement destinations should research these agreements to understand their implications on pension benefits.
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Martin *********
It's a State benefit that you're getting when you aren't a UK resident, consider yourself lucky to get anything, and remember, Rachel is looking for ways to cut.
Mike ********
I remember several years ago David Cameron was in thailand having a meeting with someone in government about this very subject, I foolishly had high hopes of some sort of agreement, I’ve not heard or seen a thing about it since ffs,.
Wyn **********
Rather do without it and live happily in Thailand
Vinson *******
The short answer is that Thailand didn’t grant that permission to UK retirees.
Phillipeans granted it.
Soverign countries can allow who they want on whatevee terms that they want.
Phillipeans granted it.
Soverign countries can allow who they want on whatevee terms that they want.
Keith ********
Evidently the philipines and a few other countrys have a reciprical agreement with the uk ( whatever that means )
Herwig **************
Not Thailand
Jim *********
Yes, move back to the UK
Allan **************
Is this something new I see a lot of people from England talking about it if they have just done it that's not very fair 🤔 Hopefully the Government in NZ don't do this.
Adrian *******
Allan Corg Morris This situation has existed for many years. It is not a new policy.
Allan **************
Adrian Hardy . Ok thanks. why are people complaining about it if it's been happening for years and they know about it glad it's not new other wise our Government might get ideas .
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Allan **************
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Mark *********
People say you have to go back to uk for more than 6 months then you will get the increase rate then go back to thailand , could try write to your mp
Andy ********
The way around it is to move to a country with a pension clause such as the Philippines
Phil *******
Worst example if move to the USA get increases move to Canada pension frozen.
If the state pension scheme was a private insurance system it would never be allowed.
If the state pension scheme was a private insurance system it would never be allowed.
Jim **********
It is not stupid or arbitrary. It is down to the countries having reciprocal social security arrangements in place for state pensions.
The Philippines has had such an arrangement with the UK in place for donkey’s years, Thailand has not.
The information re which countries have and therefore which don’t have such arrangements is freely available on the government web-site, to help you make a choice of where you wish to retire to.
The Philippines has had such an arrangement with the UK in place for donkey’s years, Thailand has not.
The information re which countries have and therefore which don’t have such arrangements is freely available on the government web-site, to help you make a choice of where you wish to retire to.
Jeffrey *********
Jim Flanagan Depends what you mean by "arbitrary" (or "stupid", for that matter). The UK is completely free to pay whatever pensions it wants to its own citizens, without the agreement of any other country. The US, for example, has Social Security totalization agreements with many countries, but those have no effect on the amount paid to recipients whose entire work history was in the US. The UK could certainly adjust its laws and policies to do the same if it chose to - nothing in international law would prevent that.
Jim **********
Jeffrey Schwenk the post was not about the amount paid per se, it was a comparison between Thailand and Philippines and specifically the latter supporting the annual rises in pensions.
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Jim **********
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Andrew *********
Because the Philippines is in the commonwealth
Mark *********
Andrew Pledger its not , Australia and newzeland is but you dont get the increase there also
Martin *******
Andrew Pledger Philippines is NOT IN THE COMMONWEALTH
Sarah ******
Andrew Pledger No, it most certainly isn't.
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Sarah ******
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Peter **********
I don’t understand why the US has just bombed Iran.
Was it the Tangerine Turnip?
Was it the Tangerine Turnip?
Robert *********
Peter H Bates TDS syndrome alive and well. Piss off with that rubbish
Gene *********
Yea bring your problems to Thailand. Did you even read the post. Or do you live for negativity. If that’s all you’re going to do in paradise best for you to go back where you came from
Mark *********
Peter H Bates to slow to take the trump deal
Sarah ******
Peter H Bates Because the U.S just needs an excuse to interfere citing 'weapons of mass destruction'... same as it did with Iraq! While the regime in Iran is disliked by many, it doesn't justify the U.S or any other country to go barging in.
However, all this commotion will no doubt take the heat off Tango man's pedo connections and the Epstein files.
However, all this commotion will no doubt take the heat off Tango man's pedo connections and the Epstein files.
Ian *******
Peter H Bates take your head from up your arse and see that Iran is killing thousands of people by firing squad every month,
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Ian *******
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Ron ******
Check the FB page for UK pensioners with frozen pensions. Plenty of unhappy campers out there in the same boat.
Peter **********
Ron Duke Who has frozen pensions?
Ron ******
Peter H Bates Read the comments here and on the page I noted and you'll understand.
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Ron ******
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John *****
Nothing you can do about it. I am lucky I worked in Guernsey for years and receive an index linked pension from Guernsey as well as my fixed rate pension from the UK. With the annual increases from my Guernsey pension that will overtake my UK pension in a few years.
Michael ********
Poor you…everything change about the rules all time.. from one day to another at immigration.. I understand your frustration.
Peter *******
If you keep some property in the UK, you will have a UK address, and keep a UK bank account to have your pension paid into.
Rick *********
Peter Ridal it doesn't work like that its where you actually live that denotes how much you receive
Ken ************
If you go back on occasions and give a UK address and have UK bank account what right do they have to determine where you live you are just a traveller
Rick *********
Ken Hutchinson there are rules about how long you are out of country and wether your classed as a resident and they have every right to determine where you live it doesn’t matter if we like it or agree, it’s UK law, if you get caught claiming fraudulently you have to pay the overpayments back and you can be fined and end up in prison
Peter **********
Rick Blowers Who is “they” ?
Rick *********
Peter H Bates if you know you know
Ken ************
Rick Blowers Glad i am not English then and Australia is not as crazy
Rick *********
Ken Hutchinson I personally think it’s criminal and disgusting as I’ve paid into the state pension for over 35 years but it is what it is and I’ve another 7 years before I can claim anyway 🙏
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Rick *********
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Ossie *********
If I moved to the Philippines I would get £60 per week more but it’s not all about money I choose to live where there are no typhoons Hurricanes like they had in Cebu a few months ago
Stephen *******
Because the UK does not have a Social Security Agreement with Thailand. Shock horror or Australia or several other Commonwealth countries.
Peter *****
Stephen Croft if they did, what difference would it make to the finances of pensioners living in Thailand.
Graham ******
Peter Cox they would get the annual triple-lock pension increases
John **********
@Graham *****
not necessarily. Newer reciprocal agreements specifically exclude pension indexationJim **********
@John *********
regardless, the info re which countries have such an arrangement, and what it provides, is freely available on the UK government website.Reply to
Jim **********
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Daren *********
It's all to do with agreements made between countries and cost.
You can move to the Philippines. Problem solved.
You can move to the Philippines. Problem solved.
Gary *****
Daren English But isn't the cost of living in the Phillipines at least 15-20% higher across the board than Thailand's ?..surely over a 20 year period of retirement the yearly raise would be hardly worth it..
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Gary *****
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John **********
Not legally no. You can lie but but when you're found out the consequences can be costly
Phil *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
I still have a United Kingdom address , bank account , but for 10 months of the year I live in ThailandDave ******
Phil Howarth smart move advertising the fact.
John ********
Be aware there’s a new act of parliament which will link your DWP data with border force. Came into force in the last few months.
The Fraud, Error, and Recovery Act 2025.
You might still get away with it but if you don’t the DWP will fuck you.
It’s retrospective too. 😬
The Fraud, Error, and Recovery Act 2025.
You might still get away with it but if you don’t the DWP will fuck you.
It’s retrospective too. 😬
Mark *********
John Wenman starma been at work again
Peter **********
John Wenman Currently BORDER FORCE does not monitor departures.
Anthony *******
Peter H Bates all passports are scanned now, 180 days or else pay tax in thailand
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Anthony *******
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John **********
@Phil ********
so do I. That means nothingPeter **********
@John *********
yes it is the 190 days odd living in uk which gives UK ‘residence’ so unfreezing pension increments.Reply to
Phil *********
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