German State Pension In The Uk

[Jennykenny]

A friend of mine receives her German State Pension here in the UK but says that if we leave the EU, this will stop being paid here. Her only option is to move back to Germany, which she doesn't want to do.
Is there any way round this problem or anywhere she can get more advice?
Thanks.

[VHG]

I have done a search on the internet about leaving the EU and pensions and it is not clear.

IF we decide to leave then discussions (on all sorts of subjects) would take place between the UK and all the other EU countries that could take 2 years.

These discussions would cover all sorts of things such as pensions, health cover and so on.

So IF we said we would stop paying pensions to UK people in Germany then I assume Germany would do the same in reverse to German people living here.

However IF we said we would carry on paying pensions to UK people living in Germany then I assume they would carry on paying pension to German people living here.

However it is a huge complex subject so at the moment I don't think anyone can say for certain what will happen to pensions or anything else related to us leaving the EU.

p.s. Even though I am in strong favour of us leaving I think the vote will be to stay in so I think your friend will be OK.

[Jennykenny]

Thank you for taking the time to make those points.
Like you I think we will stay in, but I think that would be a good thing.

[Svejk]

I can't see any Government withholding pensions from people, even if it was legal. (which I doubt) Why would they want to?

[Mick-the-Miller]

In these matters I always go with the Bookies say and they've got it at 2/1 on for us to stay in the EU - that'll do for me!

[jomifl]

I get my state pesion in France, it is paid by the UK government,not the French government.

[Mick-the-Miller]

..... sorry I've just looked it up on Oddschecker and the latest odds are 5/2 on to stay in and 9/4 against leaving - odds hardening a bit!

[Mick-the-Miller]

There's reciprical agreements between the Governments - I can't see that it really has much to do with the EU itself!

[Svejk]

I think ,jom, that Jenny is suggesting your pension will be stopped, by our government, if we leave the EU.

[Old_Geezer]

I see you are holding out as long as possible in order to maximise your win when you take the bookies to the cleaners, Mick.

[Dogsbody2]

That's absurd and won't happen. What does happen is that annual pension increases for UK pensions paid abroad are only made where the pensioner lives in the Europian trade area, which includes a few more countries than those in EU.

[jomifl]

Svejk, My pension will be paid wherever I live. In some countries like Canada and New Zealand they are frozen at the rate current when you become a resident in that country.

[Svejk]

I agree, jom. I was just suggesting what Jenny was 'getting at'.

[THECORBYLOON]

As has been said, the UK has various Reciprocal Agreements (RAs) with other countries and they determine whether payments into one country's social security scheme count toward the other's scheme. It also determines whether the rates increase with ours or stay at the rate when the claimant either left the UK or reached pension age.

EU legislation dictates that benefits paid whilst abroad are increased if living in a European Economic Area (EEA) country which means members of the EU and three others. If the UK leaves the EU, I am not aware of the intentions with regard to the EEA. If the UK is no longer in the EEA, the German pension paid to folk in the UK would not need to be uprated and could remain at a fixed rate.

[New Judge]

“…but says that if we leave the EU, this will stop being paid here.”

Yes, all part of “Operation Fear”.

This lady may not have a vote in the referendum but the climate of fear that is being engendered surrounding a “Brexit” will know no bounds. Her friend, Jennykenny, probably does have a vote and this sort of misinformation could well sway her towards the “Stay” camp.

It may seem incredible to some of our more gullible readers, but many, many people live, work and have retired to nations outside the EU. Many more have settled in the EU from elsewhere. In the main they all fare perfectly well. Life works for them regardless of the EU. So it will be for the UK should it leave. Life will not come to a halt. People already here will not be thrown out; UK citizens elsewhere in the EU will not be forcibly repatriated; people will still receive their pensions and salaries. None of this will change. The question that should really be on the ballot paper is this: "Do you want to:

(a) live in a country called the United Kingdom?

(b) live in a country called Europe?

You will get the second option if you vote to remain.

[Peter Pedant]

Blimiey look at this !

scweik grandly states
" I can't see any Government withholding pensions from people, even if it was legal. (which I doubt) Why would they want to? "

which we all know is his usual absolute bullshot

and Jom corrects:
" In some countries like Canada and New Zealand they are frozen at the rate current when you become a resident in that country."

which discerning readers know is the correct position. It is also an example of a govt legally witholding a pension ( and THAT for those for whom subtraction is difficult is the current rate minus the historical rate )

In other words Jom has exhibited an example of the govt DOES withhold a pension and it IS legal

and all Schweik says is " yeah yeah I meant that actually "

Let the irony klaxons klang !


Jenny Kenny we just dont know
DC and Europe have both said - if Brexit is voted in - then all treaties are off !
and I think they will come to their senses and some treaties will be off and some will be continued - with great flourishes and all the bells and klaxons ringing the sweets and boiled sweeties regulations will go down that pan - and the parity of MPs pay and Very Large Pensions regulations will somehow survive

so we will have to wait and see

[tamborine]

I cant see how pension entitlements are affected. My bruvs get their UK state & military pensions paid into their UK bank accounts & transferred to Oz bank.

your friend can do same via a german bank.

[Peter Pedant]

yeah well said New Judge

we are a European Nation ( I agree post colonial but so is France belgium Netherlands and Germany ) and the sooner we realise it the better

[Peter Pedant]

Tambo

How much do they lose int he transfer ? your bruvz and their pensions - I hope they are large - the pensions I mean

Sterling to Oz transfers seem a bit of a rip off to me -as in I think the charges are too great .... ( a thousand went to £930 which I thought was a bit much just to press a " SEND" button )

[Zacs-Master]

Tambo. Exactly what I thought. No idea why it's being debated as theirs such an easy solution were it to happen.

[Zacs-Master]

There's. Tut.