UK benefits for Thai wife.

[davecryan]

Met a retired English guy in Nong Khai recently, who told me that he and two friends of his are receiving Benefits for their Thai wives. They all live full time in Thailand.
Not in need of the money, but as the UK government is giving handouts to every Tom, Dick and Abdul...why not claim? Its money that we have paid in all our working lives.
Any information would be appreciated.

[doo]

Hi,
Yes, that is why I got married to Thai wife. If anything should happen to me, I am 70, She will also get a widows pension from my goverment, and half of my other pension. Also a 2,000GBP death grant, approx. 110,000B lump sum. I have paid into it all my life so am entitled to it. The only thing I cannot claim is the extra 40GBP per person, per week that my goverment pay to retired residents that have paid ten years of stamps in the country before they retire. I could only claim this if I lived in my own country.
As I have bought my house, car, motorbike etc. for cash all she has to worry about is weekly income for living. She will be well of by Thai. standards. It is the least I could do for her since she has looked after me well.

[Paul]

Met a retired English guy in Nong Khai recently, who told me that he and two friends of his are receiving Benefits for their Thai wives. They all live full time in Thailand.
Not in need of the money, but as the UK government is giving handouts to every Tom, Dick and Abdul...why not claim? Its money that we have paid in all our working lives.
Any information would be appreciated.

Any information would be appreciated...........

Why didn't you ask the 'retired English guy in Nong Khai ' who told you about what he gets, for 'any information' ??

[davecryan]

doo
Thanks for the info. Understand everything except your comment about the 45GBP. Would you expand please ?

Paul
As the conversation lasted about 5 minutes and he left quickly, the content of my first sentence is the sum of the information imparted.
But thank your for your helpful comment.

[trubrit]

You might find this helpful . It also includes further links for living abroad .
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsand ... G_10026707

[MALC]

from what i believe to be fact is if one is retired and ur thai wife has a national insurence no from uk she can claim 45 pounds every week paid into her bank account in thailand. ralph is well informed on this subject.

[trubrit]

from what i believe to be fact is if one is retired and ur thai wife has a national insurence no from uk she can claim 45 pounds every week paid into her bank account in thailand. ralph is well informed on this subject.

Not quite correct Malc. While you are still alive, providing your wife is not earning more than a certain amount each month YOU can claim a dependents allowance for her. She has no personal entitlement. The extra amount you get depends on your qualifying payments. If you have paid the full qualifying contributions you will get 52.60 extra per week , payable every 28days , into your account, not hers . For those on marriage visa ,this sum as it is yours not hers, can be added to your total pension to help you qualify for the 40k per month .The wifes permitted earnings vary each budget , so I am reluctant to give a figure but I can tell you its still possible to get some money if she is working. It is calculated on a sliding scale relative to her earnings .
After Death .She will get a one off funeral benefit of 2,000 pounds. If you have been receiving dependent relative benefit for her previously she will also get a widows pension in her own name, for my wife , presently about 300 pounds every 28 days , but this does vary as SERPS contributions are taken into account , but it shouldn't be less than the dependents allowance' This will be paid for life providing she doesn't remarry or have a live in partner .It can be paid into an account in Thailand , without charge .If you haven't qualified for receiving dependent relative benefit for her before your death , then no pension is payable after ..Now on top of this, for one year only. She will get a top up pension equivalent to your full pension, subject to her being at least 45 years on your death. Its on an age related sliding scale . So best to read the links I posted fully .Hope this helps .

[Galee]

Thanks Val. I'll get my wife to read your post. I think she lub me much more.

[davecryan]

Trubrit

Thanks for the link..and even more thanks for your following explanation, in simple English! That will save me reading hours of gobbledegook.
I imagine that my entitlement will be similar to yours.....I have made the full 49 years contribution through SERPS and I look forward to receiving what is legally due to me.

[hey you]

one small problem on getting the pension, all the documents you send must be in thai as they have their own translate rs. the result is it can take some months to process the application. you may have to wait four months. my application took even longer .

[trubrit]

one small problem on getting the pension, all the documents you send must be in thai as they have their own translate rs. the result is it can take some months to process the application. you may have to wait four months. my application took even longer .

Don't understand this . The only documents I sent in Thai were my wifes birth certificate and our marriage license because they needed the originals . I sent English copies as well and the Thai originals were returned immediately .
It does take a long time though , in my case 2 years. I think I must have been the pathfinder as they originally told me I wasn't entitled to it , but after several letters to my MP and other bodies , they eventually agreed. I did get the allowance back dated 2 years though .

[davecryan]

trubrit

Sent you a PM yesterday...you not notice it ?.....thanks

[trubrit]

trubrit

Sent you a PM yesterday...you not notice it ?.....thanks

Yes Dave . Will reply today .Sorry for the delay but received many on this subject and replied to the easy ones first .

[davecryan]

It has taken 10 weeks to obtain a copy of my Decree Nisi from the UK, an horrendous trip to BKK for a Freedom to marry certificate (6 hours at UK Embassy )and 7 hours at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Finally got married at the local Amphur yesterday, returned home and promptly contacted Ministry of Works and Pensions for a form to apply for Benefit.
Was informed that applications for this Benefit would not be accepted after 5th April 2010. Also told that my enquiry yesterday, is considered to be the start point.
Notice to all existing beneficiaries........the Benefit will ceased to be paid after 5 April 2020.

If anyone wants to apply, they had better get their skates on !

MWP phone no.....441912187777.