@Cory *********

I'd appreciate the agent contact info, if you can provide it please.

@Roberto ********

I think the "subsiding" characterisation is specious. While paying taxes for 48 years in Australia, was I "subsiding" people who used government services? No, I was just paying the membership fee of living in a civilized society, as someone once described taxes in general. That others be benefited where I often may not have (from govt policy or services) was not the prism through which I viewed it.

Different complexion governments will have different views on votewinner issues, I'm sure. I don't think this will galvanize the general electorate one way or another. I'd hope it might be seen in contexts other than subsiding or screwing people.

@Roberto ********

Hmmm. Across the whole Centrelink and taxation landscape, there's enough to worry about, that's for sure. I can't imagine it'd be a massive votewinner for any government to be seen to be "going after" pensioners eking out a life in SE Asia be cause Australia itself has become impossible for them to live in with dignity ...

But stranger things have probably happened.

@Michael *****

Also, I just had a bit of a browse through that group (Australians in Thailand Facebook Group), and as always it's a dog's breakfast, but there's some interesting and concerning stuff in there. Taxation of one's pension could be an issue, as one might be considered a non-resident (of Australia) for tax purposes, and therefore not entitled to the tax-free threshold ... meaning that you'd pay approx 32% of your pension in tax. Which would be Not Nice. Of course, once you get into taxation issues, that's a further can of worms.

But the issue of non-residency as an Australian, sounds like a real issue for long term stayers in Thailand or elsewhere. Possibly the ATO determines this, according to god-only-know-what criteria. Returning to Australia periodically might get around the issue. Dunno. This had not been on my radar til today :-(

@Michael *****

I'd also recommend having a detailed chat with someone in the Centrelink international section specifically, not the regular aged pension section. I claimed the pension while in Australia (in June 2022) and travelled for 4 months after that, with no interruption to my pension, except a reduction/loss of the "extras". I returned to Oz in Decmber 2022. No dramas. Just headed off again a couple of weeks ago, and plan to be gone for 6 monthsish again, maybe longer.

I think this "2 year" thing is poorly understood, and much hinges on how long you've been an Aussie resident, where were you when you applied for the pension, and what exactly constitutes "living outside Australia", and what happens upon return to Oz after x years living outside Oz. As Mark suggests, getting non-BS info from multiple sources is always a good idea, and getting it from Centrelink international is as close as possible to the horse's mouth.

@Michael *****

Hey Michael, can I ask what sort of interest rate you get?

@Ken *****

Very sensible comment. I'm probably going to start the retirement visa process soon, but I'll wait to see what happens immediately after the election. I'm no prophet when it comes to currency exchange rates, but I reckon a volatile post-election period could affect them (possibly to my advantage). Would not want to spend 800k buying baht when it's most expensive, and sell a few years later when cheap. But, of course, it may just end up just being another retirement cost that I choose to accept.

@Brook *******

Yes, the two accounts strategy is definitely something I plan to do.

Thanks guys 👍

@Stuart ********

Cool. Thanks Stuart 😀