@Greg *****

whatever

@Gregory ******

good luck with your holiday

@Greg *****

you didn't answer my questions, so I assume that you're living in Thailand and maybe illegally from your response to me. Though, I'm the case of Thailand, I can't understand why they require all the reporting and paperwork from foreigners who have legally decided to call Thailand 'home' when it doesn't ask the same of it's own Nationals, Natives. If you are living in Thailand and don't like the rules, they won't stop you returning to the country you were born in. If you're in this group and hate Thailand's rules so much, why are you still in the group?

@Sonny *****

foolish advice; that's only going to get people in trouble!

@Paul *******

have you ever lived in Australia? You're quoting Australian pension rates and speak about pension qualifying ages, but don't mention anything about the taxation system and how pensions funds are raised.

This is what I understand: a UK pension is contribution based, meaning a person has to 'contribute' throughout their working life, 'separately' from the tax system which pays for day to day goods and services. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's how I've seem it explained more than once. If that's correct, then if one didn't 'contribute', one wouldn't receive a pension, right?

Australian Pensions are tax based, meaning that pensions come from taxes collected throughout the year. Everyone pays (or at least is legally obliged to) taxes every year, through income taxes and "Goods and Services Taxes" (GST, a tax on such things as foodstuffs, clothing, Utilities etc.). When an Australians start receiving the Aged Pension, they may not be working any longer and therefore, not paying Income Tax. They do however, still contribute towards taxes when paying for things such as foodstuffs, clothing, Electricity, etc. etc. (GST)

If an a Australian leaves the country to live overseas and they're no longer contributing anything to the Australian Tax System, if they no longer qualify as Residents for Tax Purposes, then the Government can rightly say that they're no longer entitled to an Australian Pension.

@Prince******

as

@David *******

said, you'll probably have to be 70 years old to qualify for the Pension. Google "if I'm 55 years old now, what age will I have to be to get the aged pension?" it will give you groups of 'birth years'. And ages those in those groups will qualify. I think those born between 1956 and either 1962 or 1964 qualify at 67 years old, where I fit in. I'm almost certain that the increasing age to qualify for the pension is due to the fact that the population is increasing at a rate where 'experts' believe that sometime in the near future, there won't be enough taxpayers to afford to pay for pensions.

@Paul *******

Australian Aged Pension is tax based, meaning that taxes that are collected throughout the year, pay for the Pension. If Australian Pensioners live in Australia, buy clothes, buy food, etc. etc., they are paying tax on those goods and services and in turn paying for Pensions. If they leave to live in another country, they're no longer paying Australian taxes. The UK and some other countries that pay a 'reasonable' pension have a different system, where they pay contributions on a regular basis, which is then 'paid back' to them as a Pension when they retire. That's separate from the tax system from what I've seen mentioned, but apparently they're not 'restricted' as some might put it, like Aussie Pensioners. Still, they've paid for their pensions, 'on top' of the taxes they've paid throughout their working life. Governments 'get you' one way or another, whatever country one lives in.

@Greg *****

what country do you live in? What country were you born in? Whatever your answer to those two questions, I'm sure that there are rules that have to be followed. For example, if you live in Thailand, there are rules that foreigners have to follow that Thai Nationals don't, like regular reporting of your residence. Forms to fill in after you return from a trip outside Thailand and, from what I've read, even if you visit another Province for more than a day. Foreigners have to get a Visa, such as a 'Marriage' or Retirement Visa, then get an extension every year to be allowed to stay. Once a foreigner comes to Australia and obtains permanent residence, that's it, no more forms for residency status. Every country has it's rules and everyone is 'expected' to live by them, though many don't.

@Gregory ******

just make sure you notify Centrelink ahead of leaving (probably 1 week+) and you shouldn't have any problems for a 3 week holiday. I'm not sure, but I think that it's only if you're gone for something like 4 or 6 weeks plus, that issues arise (I'm only going on what I've read in the Australians In Thailand Fb group)

@Ham *******

if you're not already in the Australians In Thailand group, you might want to join and ask questions there and also search the group for answers on Aged Pension. There's a lot of information available, but keep in mind that everyone's circumstances are different and also that there are some members that seem to be well informed and others that 'think they know'. As some say, if you want accurate information about the Aged Pension and living overseas, queries should be directed to the Services Australia International Department, which is based (only) in Tasmania. Other offices apparently don't always give correct information about living outside Australia & being in the Pension.