‘Disgusted’ expat pensioners ‘robbed’ of hundreds a 12 months slam ‘discrimination’
‘We really feel annoyed and robbed’: Expats to protest to finish frozen pension ‘discrimination’ (Image: David Currie)
British expats might be taking to Westminster in September to protest the tip of frozen state pension “discrimination”, as half a million miss out on up-rates resulting from present laws.
David and Elizabeth Currie, 70 and 69, are main the protest subsequent month out of mounting frustrations that they’re shedding hundreds of kilos a 12 months in state pension funds, regardless of making back-dated voluntary National Insurance (NI) contributions.
Mr Currie, who moved to Vancouver, Canada, in 1988 from Glasgow along with his spouse when unemployment charges have been spiralling, advised Express.co.uk: “We are truly disgusted and angry.
“Prior to leaving Glasgow, we were never informed by any Government body that our pensions would be frozen.
“Even when we started back paying missed NI annual payments in 2008, the [Department of Work and Pensions] never made any mention that our pension would be frozen. That was frustrating.”
The DWP mentioned the frozen pension coverage is a “longstanding” one in all greater than 70 years (Image: PA)
British state pensioners obtain their pension primarily based on the extent of their obligatory and voluntary NI contributions and at current, individuals ought to usually contribute round 35 years price to obtain the total state pension.
Every 12 months, pensioners residing in Britain obtain an annual uprating, often called the “triple lock”, which will increase the pension primarily based on the upper work out of inflation, wage progress, or 2.5 p.c. However, if a pensioner strikes overseas and primarily based on the place they transfer to, their pension doesn’t obtain an uprating.
Most international locations which are a part of the commonwealth are included within the frozen pension listing, whereas these residing in international locations which are a part of the European Union, or others, such because the US, will see their pensions rise as regular.
Mr Currie mentioned: “The fact that pensioners in some countries have their pension uprated and some in others don’t is clear discrimination. The UK Government hide behind excuses all the time. One of them being that the policy has been in place for 70 years.
David and Elizabeth say they are currently losing around £3,500 a year worrth of state pension (Image: David Currie)
“A wrong is a wrong, and it’s as simple as that. It’s extremely frustrating. We were made aware of our frozen pensions at least 10 to 15 years after we left Scotland and we did not learn this from the Government, we learnt about this through UK pensioners at the time living close by.”
Mr Currie added that the couple lives simply 10 kilometres from the US border, however their good friend from Glasgow residing simply south of the border will see a rise.
Mr Currie mentioned: “Also at the border is a gentleman I know who is now 97 years of age, fought in World War II as a 17-year-old, was the second pilot to fly Concord is now retired over 30 years. He collects £47 a week when it should be two hundred plus pounds. That awfully frustrating. And there are lots like him, being ignored and forgotten.”
Mr and Mrs Currie mentioned they’ve paid “close to £5,000 each” to backdate NI contribution years and have gathered round 33 and 32 years, respectively.
Work and Pensions Minister Mel Stride additionally froze plans to speed up the state pension age rise (Image: Getty)
Mr Currie mentioned: “After taking into account that Elizabeth has accumulated 33 years of NI payments, and the fact that she collected her first payment on May 6, 2020, she is losing about £1,500 per year. I had worked 15 years in the UK and after I made back payments accumulating to 32 years of NI payments, and started collecting on March 6, 2019, I am losing £2,000 a year.
Mr Currie continued: “We are basically discriminated against, we are ignored, and we are being robbed of what is rightfully ours.”
Mr Currie mentioned that contacting MPs and the ministers for pensions concerning the challenge has been “very difficult”. He mentioned the couple have written to not less than 250 British MPs and have been “effectively ignored”.
He added: “Many pensioners worldwide have paid all NI contributions and not received in kind what they expected at pensionable age. There is a feeling of anger about how Governments can act today, it’s more like they dictate to us, as we cannot even discuss this unjust policy with them.”
Mr and Mrs Currie might be protesting on behalf of British expats with frozen state pensions at Cromwell Green on Monday, September 4, from 9am till 3pm.
A Government spokesperson has mentioned: “Our priority is ensuring every pensioner receives the financial support to which they are entitled.
“We understand that people move abroad for many reasons and we provide clear information about how this can impact on their finances.
“The Government’s policy on the uprating of the UK state pension for recipients living overseas is a longstanding one of more than 70 years and we continue to uprate state pensions overseas where there is a legal requirement to do so.”