Frozen UK Pensions petition

[Discomark]

Probably a few members affected by the UK frozen pensions so make sure you sign the following petition if you are affected or a family member is. Actually most Australians probably don't realise that their tax dollars were going to top up frozen British pensions up until a few years ago and still do for those who arrived before they changed the rules in 2003 or 2004.

END THE UNFAIR FROZEN OVERSEAS PENSION POLICY - e-petitions (http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/16387)

[blackbuttdisco]

For every Pound increase in UK pension, Centrelink deduct it from your Australian pension amount. It works the other way too.

[Bigbjorn]

For every Pound increase in UK pension, Centrelink deduct it from your Australian pension amount. It works the other way too.

And rightly so. You would be double dipping otherwise.

The most unjustifiable ability to pension double dip was the privilege enjoyed by War Widow and TPI pensioners prior to 1985. These people, once they had reached age pension eligibility, could receive both a DSS and a DVA pension. Neither War Widow nor TPI pensions were income or asset tested.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

And rightly so. You would be double dipping otherwise.

The most unjustifiable ability to pension double dip was the privilege enjoyed by War Widow and TPI pensioners prior to 1985. These people, once they had reached age pension eligibility, could receive both a DSS and a DVA pension. Neither War Widow nor TPI pensions were income or asset tested.No the most unjustified ability to double dip on the tax payer is the pension paid to ex-politicians while they can still earn mega dollars from the industries they once controlled and now lobby for or sit on their many boards.

I have no qualm on vets, who were injured by their war service.

[Bigbjorn]

I have no qualm on vets, who were injured by their war service.

"Injured by their war service" is the phrase that should be strictly adhered to by the DVA. Unfortunately far too many ex-servicemen receive pensions for little or nothing owing to political lobbying by their organisations, and by coaching by RSL advocates. The epidemic of PTSD amongst Vietnam vets is an example., Far too many of these had no problem whatsoever until they discovered or were advised of the easy availability of a pension.

DVA Pensions should not be granted for lifestyle illnesses or illnesses of the aging. Obesity, diabetes, alcoholism, smoking related diseases, prostate problems are examples.

[Discomark]

For every Pound increase in UK pension, Centrelink deduct it from your Australian pension amount. It works the other way too.

Thats if you qualify for an Aussie pension. New residents/citizens have to have lived in Australia for 10 years before they are entitled to Australian pensioner status. In the meantime they have to live on their dwindling UK pension and that combined with the current exchange rates makes it very challenging.
The UK government should give all its pensioners equal rights regardless of where they choose to retire and they should not be expecting other country's such as Australia to pick up the shortfall.

[Bigbjorn]

10 years residence is one of the criteria for a grant of pension and has been for decades. However, if you are already in receipt of an overseas pension there is a possibility of a grant of pension under a reciprocity agreement with the other country. You do have to meet the Australian eligibility criteria for that pension. NZ Disability pensioners have fallen foul of this requirement on many occasions as Australia has a stricter definition of disability than NZ and the kiwis find they are not able to receive an Australian pension..There are reciprocity agreements in place with many countries and you should enquire of Centrelink International Operations in Hobart. The other thing is, if you spent time in another country and have a possibility of receiving a paymernt from there, then you are obliged to apply before an Australian pension will be granted.

[isuzurover]

"Injured by their war service" is the phrase that should be strictly adhered to by the DVA. Unfortunately far too many ex-servicemen receive pensions for little or nothing owing to political lobbying by their organisations, and by coaching by RSL advocates. The epidemic of PTSD amongst Vietnam vets is an example., Far too many of these had no problem whatsoever until they discovered or were advised of the easy availability of a pension.

DVA Pensions should not be granted for lifestyle illnesses or illnesses of the aging. Obesity, diabetes, alcoholism, smoking related diseases, prostate problems are examples.

Very true Brian, my grandfather is a WWII vet, and some of his friends claimed PTSD/psychological problems to gain financial benefits. They were telling him it was very easy and trying to get him to do the same - he refused.

[85 county]

. You do have to meet the Australian eligibility criteria for that pension. NZ Disability pensioners have fallen foul of this requirement on many occasions as Australia has a stricter definition of disability than NZ and the kiwis find they are not able to receive an Australian pension...

Not quite true Brian, do you wish to amend your post ??

[Bigbjorn]

Not quite true Brian, do you wish to amend your post ??

I worked in DSS as a Review Officer, Field Officer, Fraud Detection team leader, and came across this on a number of occasions where a kiwi in receipt of an NZ disability pension came here and claimed here and was refused on medical grounds as not meeting the standard for grant of an Australian DSP. Usually resulted in lots of complaining, appeals, etc. when the kiwi was told his alternative was to claim Unemployment Benefit and look for work or return to NZ and resume collecting the pension. I don't know what happens nowadays where kiwis are ineligible for unemployment payments until they have achieved two years residency.

In a nutshell, when the kiwi lodged the DSP claim in OZ, they were handed a Medical Report to be completed by a physician and returned. Next step was an examination by a Commonwealth Medical Officer who confirmed or otherwise the diagnosis and prognosis and determined the level of disability. If not considered sufficiently disabled for grant of an Oz pension, the claim was refused. Kiwis could be granted a disability payment in NZ with a much lower level of incapacity than was required in Australia.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

"Injured by their war service" is the phrase that should be strictly adhered to by the DVA. Unfortunately far too many ex-servicemen receive pensions for little or nothing owing to political lobbying by their organisations, and by coaching by RSL advocates. The epidemic of PTSD amongst Vietnam vets is an example., Far too many of these had no problem whatsoever until they discovered or were advised of the easy availability of a pension.

DVA Pensions should not be granted for lifestyle illnesses or illnesses of the aging. Obesity, diabetes, alcoholism, smoking related diseases, prostate problems are examples.Have you read the book (IIRC) "The Rainbow Conspiracy" while DVA have for years denied that Phuc Tuoy Province was subject to the defoliant Agent Orange or any or other colour agents in any significant quantities and and DVA denied claims based upon it. Information from the Pentagon listing the quantities and types of agents sprayed throughout SVN show that Phuc Tuoy was one of the heaviest areas of contimination.

IMHO Good on the Vietnam Vets assn, while these young Aussies were fronting up for duty and being injured and killed doing it, the rest of us were sitting back safe in Oz, when the vets returned they were spat at, called murderers and denied membership of the RSL.

Nothing can compensate or repay them for those actions.

Diana

[85 county]

I worked in DSS as a Review Officer, Field Officer, Fraud Detection team leader, and came across this on a number of occasions where a kiwi in receipt of an NZ disability pension came here and claimed here and was refused on medical grounds as not meeting the standard for grant of an Australian DSP. Usually resulted in lots of complaining, appeals, etc. when the kiwi was told his alternative was to claim Unemployment Benefit and look for work or return to NZ and resume collecting the pension. I don't know what happens nowadays where kiwis are ineligible for unemployment payments until they have achieved two years residency.

In a nutshell, when the kiwi lodged the DSP claim in OZ, they were handed a Medical Report to be completed by a physician and returned. Next step was an examination by a Commonwealth Medical Officer who confirmed or otherwise the diagnosis and prognosis and determined the level of disability. If not considered sufficiently disabled for grant of an Oz pension, the claim was refused. Kiwis could be granted a disability payment in NZ with a much lower level of incapacity than was required in Australia.

a common mistake of many so called knowledgeable Australians, is the thinking that NZ has the same or similar systems as in Australia. there is no disability pension in NZ for starters, you are correct that Kiwis or any other nationality can not claim unemployment benefit for two years. what you are describing is some low class kiwis coming over to Australia on the belief that canter-link is a bit of a soft touch which it is compared to NZ social welfare dept.

[Discomark]

10 years residence is one of the criteria for a grant of pension and has been for decades. However, if you are already in receipt of an overseas pension there is a possibility of a grant of pension under a reciprocity agreement with the other country. You do have to meet the Australian eligibility criteria for that pension. NZ Disability pensioners have fallen foul of this requirement on many occasions as Australia has a stricter definition of disability than NZ and the kiwis find they are not able to receive an Australian pension..There are reciprocity agreements in place with many countries and you should enquire of Centrelink International Operations in Hobart. The other thing is, if you spent time in another country and have a possibility of receiving a paymernt from there, then you are obliged to apply before an Australian pension will be granted.

The agreement with the United Kingdom (UK) ended on 1 March 2001.
Australia's International Social Security Agreements (http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/international/pension_agreements.htm#uk)

[Discomark]

Gillard’s parents back fight against ‘unjust’ frozen UK pensions
Julia Gillard's parents back frozen UK pensions fight | Crikey (http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/04/28/gillards-parents-back-fight-against-unjust-frozen-uk-pensions/)

"As a result of the policy, many British retirees in Australia have become dependent on a supplementary Centrelink pension. The cost to the Australian taxpayer is currently about $110 million a year"


END THE UNFAIR FROZEN OVERSEAS PENSION POLICY - e-petitions (http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/16387)

[Ralph1Malph]

"Injured by their war service" is the phrase that should be strictly adhered to by the DVA. Unfortunately far too many ex-servicemen receive pensions for little or nothing owing to political lobbying by their organisations, and by coaching by RSL advocates. The epidemic of PTSD amongst Vietnam vets is an example., Far too many of these had no problem whatsoever until they discovered or were advised of the easy availability of a pension.

DVA Pensions should not be granted for lifestyle illnesses or illnesses of the aging. Obesity, diabetes, alcoholism, smoking related diseases, prostate problems are examples.

Poppycock!
I am glad our associations lobby for us as the average Aussie punter doesn't.
It is not coincidence that I am hard of hearing in my right ear at the frequency matching gunfire, or in both ears at the frequency matching howitzer fire. I also don't know too many people of my age (44) with knees of similar condition to 70yo's with wear patterns equivalent to jumping with weights or many miles of high impact load carrying.
I could go on.
Using your model, my employer (you) expects me and thousands of others to push ourselves past the performance of most Australians both mentally and physically for 20-30 years and take no responsibility!

The problem is no-one knows at what age, 'age' related or lifestyle illnesses kick in. Luckily, Defence has done some studies. Joint, hearing and mobility illnesses 'begin' in longer serving Soldiers substantially earlier than Aussies with lower impact more sedentary lifestyles. Sure, Soldiering is my choice, but I do it willingly out of a sense of public service and a spash of family historical obligation;).

I'll leave the PTSD discussion alone as I have many friends that have seen stuff in Cambodia, Somalia, Rwanda, Iraq & Afg that good god fearing humans should not see. BTW, these same stressors and stresses are experienced by ambos as well and nobody denies them care! I am not a doctor so won't comment on diagnosis or treatment.

That said I am reminded of a quote:

I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. ~Evelyn Beatrice Hall, The Friends of Voltaire, 1906, a description of Voltaire's attitude, commonly misattributed to Voltaire.

Cheers, as I am unusually emotive regarding this issue.


Ralph

[Bigbjorn]

a common mistake of many so called knowledgeable Australians, is the thinking that NZ has the same or similar systems as in Australia. there is no disability pension in NZ for starters, you are correct that Kiwis or any other nationality can not claim unemployment benefit for two years. what you are describing is some low class kiwis coming over to Australia on the belief that canter-link is a bit of a soft touch which it is compared to NZ social welfare dept.

New Zealand has the following incapacity/invalidity payments:-

Invalid's Benefit, similar to Australian DSP.

Disability Allowance, no direct equivalent to an Australian payment other than it can be paid to a carer.

Sickness Benefit, similar to Australia's Sickness Allowance except that the Australian payment is for person's who have a job but are temporarily and totally unable to work, and have exhausted all leave entitlements,whereas the NZ payment can be received by persons able to work part time but not full time.

NZ Disability Allowance seems to be an extraordinarily generous payment in that it can be paid in addition to Invalid's Benefit. Try this on at Centrelink. Staff will either be startled or highly amused.

Look at Welcome to Work and Income - Work and Income (http://www.workandincome.govt.nz) then find Going to Australia and scroll down to Invalid's Benefit. Clearly stated there is that Centrelink has a stricter test of disability than NZ.

[Bigbjorn]

Probably a few members affected by the UK frozen pensions so make sure you sign the following petition if you are affected or a family member is. Actually most Australians probably don't realise that their tax dollars were going to top up frozen British pensions up until a few years ago and still do for those who arrived before they changed the rules in 2003 or 2004.

END THE UNFAIR FROZEN OVERSEAS PENSION POLICY - e-petitions (http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/16387)

There is a way around this. I know how it can be done and I knew people who did it. It involves a considerable degree of subterfuge, lying, cheating, and downright fraud. A gaol sentence could be an end result if detected. I am not prepared to pass this knowledge on.

[85 county]

New Zealand has the following incapacity/invalidity payments:-

Invalid's Benefit, similar to Australian DSP.

Disability Allowance, no direct equivalent to an Australian payment other than it can be paid to a carer.

Sickness Benefit, similar to Australia's Sickness Allowance except that the Australian payment is for person's who have a job but are temporarily and totally unable to work, and have exhausted all leave entitlements,whereas the NZ payment can be received by persons able to work part time but not full time.

NZ Disability Allowance seems to be an extraordinarily generous payment in that it can be paid in addition to Invalid's Benefit. Try this on at Centrelink. Staff will either be startled or highly amused.

Look at Welcome to Work and Income - Work and Income (http://www.workandincome.govt.nz) then find Going to Australia and scroll down to Invalid's Benefit. Clearly stated there is that Centrelink has a stricter test of disability than NZ.

i think you need to read a bit more as you are not really comparing apples with apples here. but as you said some kiwis get a shock when they apply at centerlink just as aussies get a shock when they apply at the Dep of labour and are handed a work chit to turn up to work the next day, Lazy buggers