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Will my dad keep his pension increase after returning to Thailand from the UK?
UK State PensionPension IncreasesResidency StatusVisa Requirements in ThailandExpats in ThailandUK Tax Residency
May 14, 2025
a year ago
Candice ********************
ORIGINAL POSTERHi all, a question on behalf of my dad who's living in Thailand on a UK state pension.
He has come back to the UK after 6 years in Thailand and plans to stay here for around 6 to 8 months. He has let his residents visa expire in Thailand before coming back home to England.
If and when he returns to Thailand, will he permanently keep his pension increase that he will have received for over 6 months here?
He has come back to the UK after 6 years in Thailand and plans to stay here for around 6 to 8 months. He has let his residents visa expire in Thailand before coming back home to England.
If and when he returns to Thailand, will he permanently keep his pension increase that he will have received for over 6 months here?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The main question concerns whether the individual will retain their increased UK state pension upon returning to Thailand after a period in the UK. Comments indicate that if he establishes UK tax residency by staying 183 days within a tax year, he can receive the pension at the increased rate for future claims, although further increases will be frozen once he returns to Thailand. It's advised to keep documentation related to residency and travel for reference.
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Alastair *******
Best keep evidence of return to uk, visa stamps in passport, etc. The rules are quite clear regarding being in the uk 6 months and regaining residency status and thus bring your pension up to date. Some folks go to the Philippines to achieve the same thing.
Lester *********
Do you know anyone in the Philippines. You could just give an address in the Philippines. They have an agreement so that you receive the annual increases
Paul **********
@Lester ********
The UK State Pension is indeed classified as a benefit within the United Kingdom's social security framework.Here's a more detailed explanation:
* Legal Definition: UK legislation, specifically the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 and the Pensions Act 2014, describes the State Pension as a "contributory benefit." This legal classification roots it within the existing social security system, funded through National Insurance contributions.
* Contribution-Based: The amount of State Pension a person receives is directly linked to their National Insurance (NI) contribution record. To be eligible for any State Pension, you typically need at least 10 qualifying years of NI contributions. To receive the full new State Pension, 35 qualifying years are usually required. These contributions are generally made through employment, self-employment, or by receiving certain benefits that provide NI credits (such as Child Benefit, Universal Credit, or Jobseeker's Allowance).
* Not Means-Tested: Unlike some other benefits, the State Pension is not means-tested. This means that your entitlement to it does not depend on your income or savings. Everyone who meets the National Insurance contribution criteria and has reached the State Pension age is eligible, regardless of their other financial circumstances.
* Part of Retirement Income: For many individuals, the State Pension forms a crucial part of their retirement income, often alongside private or workplace pensions.
* Annual Increases: The State Pension amount is typically increased each April. This increase is determined by the "triple lock" system, which ensures it rises by the highest of:
* Average earnings growth
* The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) measure of inflation (from the previous September)
* A guaranteed minimum of 2.5%
Current State Pension Amounts (for the
*********
tax year):* Full new State Pension: £230.25 per week (requires around 35 qualifying years).
* Full basic State Pension: £176.45 per week (for those who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016 and met the qualifying conditions).
In summary, while the State Pension is earned through National Insurance contributions over a person's working life, it is legally and functionally classified as a benefit provided by the government as part of the social security system to provide income in retirement.
Lester *********
@Paul *********
You copied and pasted that from where exactlySteve ********
@Lester ********
It's a benefit. You're wrong, just accept it and thank the persons responsible for enlightening you.Lester *********
@Steve *******
Absolute nonsense and anyone who describes it as a benefit should be ashamed of themselves. All of the people who have contributed to a state pension by working damn hard should see it as something they are entitled to and not something given as a benefit. There’s a reason why the UK is in disarray and the UK pension is a scandal and theft from the majority of British workers.Pete *******
@Lester ********
your opinion is irrelevant. It is enshrined in UK law as a benefit.Lester *********
@Pete ******
Thank You for finding this piece of Legislation. It just further enhances my perfectly reasonable opinion that the British Government brainwashes the average citizen. How can someone who pays into a system for 40 years of his or her life receive money back as a benefit. Its title is laughable and gullible people believe the propaganda. Also I would like this question answering as it relates to the original post. Why should any person who has paid his stamp in full have his or her pension capped because they choose to leave Britain. They have paid there dues and they should be ENTITLED to the increases, should they not?Pete *******
@Lester ********
your opinion is irrelevant. Start living in reality.Lester *********
@Pete ******
My apologies for trying to engage in conversation. Clearly it’s beyond youSteve ********
@Lester ********
Don’t make us all laugh. We are the ones engaging in conversation, you are the one that can’t comprehend fact. The issue of not being entitled to annual increases based on your country of residence is a completely separate one, which, you might find, if you had the mental agility to comprehend facts, most of us agree is unreasonable and unjustifiable. But that doesn’t distract from the fact that it is a benefit. Please get that into your head.Lester *********
@Steve *******
Sigh 😔Reply to
Lester *********
Reply
Pete *******
@Lester ********
that would be fraud.Robin *******
@Pete ******
sounds good to meLester *********
@Pete ******
Go figure! Remember, the UK state pension is not a benefit. It’s a payment made to people who paid into the system. It’s scandalous that you don’t receive the increases, regardless of where you liveDave *********
@Lester ********
I think you'll find that the UK state pension is classed as a benefit.Lester *********
@Dave ********
To the people who have spent their entire working lives paying into this system, they will see it as an entitlement. For the bums in this world they will see it as a benefitDave *********
@Lester ********
They can see it how they like. It's classed as a benefit.Lester *********
@Dave ********
By whom exactly?Dave *********
@Lester ********
The UK Government.Lester *********
@Dave ********
Can you please guide me as to where on the Government Websites they class it as a benefit or it’s even mentioned on the government website that it’s a benefitPete *******
@Lester ********
just do some basic reading and research.Lester *********
@Pete ******
I don’t believe that it is on any government websitePete *******
@Lester ********
*********************************
Pensions Act 2014 Chapter 19 Introduction Part 1State Pension
(1) This Part creates a benefit called state pension.
Do some basic reading and research.
Dave *********
@Lester ********
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7Reply to
Dave *********
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Peter **********
he has to phone 0191 218 7777 (short wait). They will ask for proof of address eg bank statement
Steve ********
Yes he will, but he will not receive further increases once he returns again to Thailand. If he had a Thai visa extension, for the purposes of retirement, he could have retained that as long as he got a re-entry permit before he left Thailand and the extension did not expire whilst he was out of Thailand. If not he will have to go through the visa application procedure again to get a Non-Immi ‘O’ or ‘OA’ which can then be extended for the purpose of retirement.
Roger ********
Writing to the UK pension service? I have been writing for 3 years. Not had an answer yet. Found an online messaging service. Sent a message. Got an email back telling me l had to write to them!
David ************
@Roger *******
here's a number to call +441912187777 ,I have lived abroad for over 20yrs any queries on my pension and they've sorted me out everytime, plus last time I called I told them I was in thailand, they called me back save putting me on hold...**********
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77 ,I have lived abroad for over 20yrs any queries on my pension and they've sorted me out everytime, plus last time I called I told them I was in thailand, they called me back save putting me on hold...Roger ********
Thank you David, but as they raise my pension every year, against my reasoning that they should not, I draw the line at spending a period of my old age actually speaking to an operative (I am a little deaf which does not help).
Reply to
Roger ********
Reply
Sylvia ********
@Roger *******
give a friend/family uk address for a reply, majority of non registered mail coming here is never delivered. Register your letter and track it online tooRoger ********
I wait, and hope. I'm actually trying to tell them that they are paying me too much. And yet .... ?
Sylvia ********
@Roger *******
Whilst the rest of the population grabs every penny, fairplay I love honest peopleReply to
Sylvia ********
Reply
Roger ********
@Sylvia *******
Did that. Pleaded in my letter not to send anything to Thailand. Tracked my letter. Arrived 9 weeks ago.Sylvia ********
@Roger *******
I recall dealing with them once, they told ne queue for answer was 2 to 3 months. Maybe hear soonReply to
Sylvia ********
Reply
Michael *******
A question for DWP it’s linked to residency, if he resumes UK residency, he will be entitled to future increases, it’s not backdated……and he can’t simply go back claim his pension increase and leave again…….only DWP will be able to give you the details….
John **********
It depends on whether or not they view his return to the UK as permanent or not
John *********
Yes he will.
Markie ******
Hes lucky getting an increase us in Australia never get an increase
Howard *******
@Markie *****
Really? Maybe you should check why you haven’t when everyone else has .Reply to
Howard *******
Reply
Pete *******
He must first become UK tax resident so stay 183 days in the UK in a tax year. Be careful with the dates. Once tax resident then if he returns to Thailand his pension will be once again frozen but at the current higher rate. Make sure you inform the Pension Service of his travel dates as he is entitled to the uprated pension from day 1 of entry into the UK.
Candice ********************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Pete ******
thank you!Graham *****
@Pete ******
what you mean become a tax resident.He will probably pay tax no matter where in the world he lives.
UK pension is nearly taxable now at source.
Any extra pensions savings etc all taxed at source.
+ self assessment to do
Thought tax avoidance was to go non-dom
Or am I missing something here.
Pete *******
@Graham ****
yep you are missing the fact that he is a Thai tax resident on a frozen state pension. To permanently unfreeze his frozen pension he must divest himself of current Thai tax residency and gain residency in another compatible jurisdiction. 183 days in the UK in a tax year will do that. The question is not about paying tax on the pension but about unfreezing a frozen state pension. Once he gets UK tax residency if he returns to live in Thailand his pension will again get frozen but at the uprated rate.Tony *********
@Pete ******
Thanks for your advice. It helps me a lot. You are au fait with the tax/pension rulingsNick ************
@Pete ******
and if he is not tax resident in Thailand in any year income received in that year is not taxable when remitted to Thailand. Ie pension payments and anything else earned. Not sure if pension payments are taxable or not.Pete *******
@Nick ***********
he has been in Thailand for the last six years so pretty sure he is Thai tax resident. The state pension is taxable on remittance.Nick ************
@Pete ******
I will be in Thailand for less than 180 days this tax year. I plan to sell a property in the uk and believe that the proceeds from the sale will never be taxable when remitted to Thailand because I was not tax resident when i got them. That's how I understand it anyway. Same goes for pension or any other income.Pete *******
@Nick ***********
that’s correct you must first become Thai tax resident. Any income received prior to the tax year in which you become tax resident will not be taxed on remittance.Graham *****
Reply to
Graham *****
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