Another concerned Australian

[Banker]

Here is a copy of another email I received from an Australian that is worried about his pension. This is just one of many, so it looks as if the web site is starting to work.

Hi,

I have just found your website and so glad I did. Here's me thinking I am Robinson Crusoe only to find there must be heaps in the same boat.

My story:

I am retired from teaching as I was eligible to retire at age 55, I am now 63 years old. I found work as a teacher in International schools in Thailand and have worked here off and on for about 7 years but always returned to Hobart and stayed there sometimes for over a year at a time. I have a mortgage on my home and get $940 a fortnight in RBF super payments which is my only income. I am a resident for tax purposes. Realistically, I can't afford to live in Australia and pay the mortgage, rates, etc., etc. Currently I am living in Bangkok, not working and living off my RBF pension and have my home rented out. This is really the only way I can keep it. My worry is that when I return to Hobart (which I plan to do just before I turn 65) that I will be required to live in Australia for 2 years to qualify for the OAP because I have lived overseas. The point of course is I MUST live here to save enough money. It is a real catch 22. It is my intention to return and stay in Australia, my sons and family are there. I have been told by Centrelink that I would get about $400 a fortnight in the OAP, which would be just about enough to support me. But, if I have to stay in Australia for the 2 year qualifying period it would be nigh on impossible. I am not married to a Thai or anything and am essentially single.
In August this year I will be returning to Hobart for my son's uni graduation and intend to have some deep and meaningfuls with Centrelink Hobart so any tips, news and / or ideas would be most helpful.

regards

XXX

[baranghope]

What did you advise Banker?? My thoughts are that this shows even non-DSPers are in the residency stranglehold . . . it is just too easy to use a subjective bureaucratic interpretation of residency when there is no charter of individual rights in Australia, which would treat mobility and travel as the same freedom. My argument has been that there should be amendment clauses to the Australian legislation for anyone over 60, given that this is an age where you can take the OAP in some other countries. It is your money they want to keep onshore, simple, because Australia is in a weird geographic 1st world situation, its closest neighbors being "3rd" world.

My advice to cake and eat it: sell up and go live like a king. Two years is a long time in gaol.

[Denis-NFA]

Banker,

pass on my kind regards to that person

[Banker]

I give the same advice to all that contact me through the web site.

1...Contact W.R.

2.....Join our forum and let the think tank here put in the 2 bobs worth, as you know there is a lot of knowledge and experience on this forum.

This guys case reminds me of a guy I helped about 6 years ago. His story is on the forum somewhere.

This residency bullshit is very much a grey area and a lot of it has to be tested.

[Denis-NFA]

Banker

totally agree...

I cannot do or say much at the moment because I found that 'they' had stripped me of my disabilities.

[Banjo]

The problem is financial rather than one of residency.
I'd be inclined to sell up, put the money in trust with an income I can draw from to supplement my super witht he trust going to my kids on my death.
If it falls over in Thailand come back and apply for the OAP.
I can't see Centrelink saying anything other than come back and live in Australia or we will hit you with the 2 year rule when you turn 65.
What I WOULD like to hear is how long you have to be in Australia before you turn 65 to qualify for the normal OAP portability.
Might be worth asking WR that one.

[Denis-NFA]

i'm inclined to burn down parliament house.... ;D

and fight and tell every mungrel gentle loving person that 'supposedly' looks after me..... get *d bitch

[Denis-NFA]

but then i will be arrested by the afp.... the scum that protect arzewoles that run this ry into the ground

[latindancer]

Jan 6, 2013 5:53:06 GMT 7 Banker said:

In August this year I will be returning to Hobart for my son's uni graduation and intend to have some deep and meaningfuls with Centrelink Hobart so any tips, news and / or ideas would be most helpful.

regards

XXX

As you have no doubt advised your friend already, Banker....get everything important in writing.
It's rather like dealing with used car salesmen really. Verbal assurances mean nothing. They can tell you all sorts of wonderful things about the service you will get after you buy the car. But whatever people say....verbally....is not legally binding.

[Denis-NFA]

LD

That's not true.

It does not matter if you have it in writing....

that is a false security...

you need to sit at the office of your request and have someone sign/initial every page...

otherwise it is just bullshit... legally

[peter]

Sometimes we can become so attached to ideas and ideals that instead of living our lives, the ideas and ideals are controlling what we do.

We have all been brought up to believe that a house was the greatest safeguard to have in life..............and undoubtedly it helps a lot to own one, or to own the equity in one in an appreciating house price market.

But house owning personal value meaning its value to an individual, varies with individual circumstances.
People do not assess it that way because they are married to this idea of house ownership as a safeguard and backup.

Well and good at certain srages of life but the scene changes as one gets older.

A house is not a good cash flow yielder, and with a mortgage on limited income, one ends up feeding the house rather than the house feeding the owner.

So the first thing to do at age 65, is to consider whether one still needs a house mortgage around one's neck.........for the remaining ten to fifteen years.

Perhaps there are family influences such as leaving something for the kids...........but do the kids really want the parents to go without on their behalf? Not really I think.

So, the advice I always give is "get rid of attachment".

Look around in Thailand how happy the people are and that is because tomorrow flows freely into today and is not blocked by too much attachment to ideas in the head.

And they have got no pension to rely upon!!!! only the fresh air and their wits and Providence.

Providence is something we have forgotten, and replaced it with the mental plan and the money in the bank approach. Understandable..............but look at how many well laid plans have gone wrong so its not foolproof.

Well, a pensioner has money in the bank every two weeks, so that problem is solved. All he has got left to get rid of is too much planning. Its useless anyway for we all know nature's final plan.

Centrelink is quite generous in its top up provisions for those on already on pensions but they will not top up anything if one is not an Australian resident.

And from the sound of this case............with no permanent home in Australia..............living overseas because Australia is unaffordable.............sounds very much like one is residing overseas or in danger of doing so.

As for the two years residency required in Australia, that is not hard to do at all, provided one has a roof to do it under. That is the hardest part.

But if Centrelink can chip in $400 a fortnight extra, and $120 rental allowance in addition, then it would not be difficult financially at all.

Keeping oneself on the pension is easy once one has accommodation. What is not easy is trying to keep a family or a house in addition to oneself whilst on the pension.

So, the logical suggestion is............lighten the load..........reconsider the attachment to a house that is controlling the owner and not the other way.

[mack]

Hi all, I am the 'Other concerned Australian' and have just joined the forum. It will be interesting to see what they say regarding my 'residency' status when I talk with them in August since over the last 9 - 10 years I have lived in Australia, for at least 4 years, (not consecutively) worked, paid tax etc. It beggars belief that according to C/L a person on approaching 65 and the OAP would have to stay in Oz.

[peter]

Centrelink have a definition of residency based upon "balance of ties" the most important judgement being factual, where one actually spends most of one's time. True, most of one's interests might be in a particular country, but the most important consideration on the scale, is where one mostly lives.
Taxation system is simple by comparison. Six months and one year residence in Australia will make one a captive to them..............less than that is a matter of "balance of ties".
Centrelink do enforce the two year prior residency rule before the grant of a portable OAP.
Its best not to invite questions at the time of application, so its best to be prepared to avoid argument.
Up to August is a long time overseas for someone wishing to maintain residency. Best to check it out.

[Banjo]

Welcome to the forum Mack, we look forward to your input and how you handle this matter.

Hey Peter, that's just a rewrite of the old bargirl admonition "you t'ink too mutt". LOL.

[Deleted]

hi peter, i am one of the so called lucky ones ,and suppose in a way i am,i own my home ,live alone and on a pension,but its getting harder to keep it, with council rates and insurance and water,maintenance cost and every thing,and on a pension,i am considering selling and putting money in bank and getting interest,but you don't get much now,and renting ,that's something i never wanted to do EVER,but I'm starting to think at age 61 it would be better now to do that,but I'm not sure that c/l would give me 120 a fortnight rent assistance ,where did you get that from.