Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/pen ... ts-EU.html

May be of interest to those resident in trnc. Do people currently get the annual increases?

I have had pension increases every year since moving here 9 years ago. UK has reciprocal deal with Turkey and I believe we come under that.

The point that should always be borne in mind, is that UK state pensions, ever since the original 1908 Old Age Pension, are classed as a 'state benefit' so can be changed, varied, uprated, downrated or even completely scrapped (unlikely I know, but there again with the roll-out of compulsory work-place pensions, who knows) at the wish/whim of the Secretary of State and the Cabinet, without any serious debate or Act of Parliament being required.

All British governments are very well aware of this tool and use it effectively as a vote catcher. I had to laugh recently when the representative for UK Citizen Advice Bureau in Spain stated in a radio show that she and the ex-pats would 'march in the streets of Madrid should their uprate be scrapped'. As if the Spanish would care - the British in the UK certainly would not, I'm sure.

Hence, to most UK voters, it seems quite reasonable that 'rich' pensioners who have chosen to live in warmer climate can do without annual upgrades or winter fuel payments. The excuse they use of a lack of a reciprocal arrangement being in place is a complete nonsense as it is the originators country that pays the pension and not the host country of course.

cyprus2016 wrote:The point that should always be borne in mind, is that UK state pensions .... so can be changed, varied, uprated, downrated or even completely scrapped .... at the wish/whim of the Secretary of State and the Cabinet.....

My "belief/conviction/obsession" (and perpetual "rant" ) - is that not just pensions but any and all "rights" are NOT "rights" but "concessions", granted by a government at one time, and ( to quote) "so can be changed, varied, uprated, downrated or even completely scrapped .... at the wish/whim..." at any time by the same or any other government...
...And there's nothing you can do about it - "Lie back and think of England...." (look it up... )

I have been trying to get my pension paid in sterling but they say it has to be paid in Lira is that right

It will be paid in Sterling into a UK bank account but if you are having it paid into a local bank then yes it will be in local currency.

I understand from I've read in the past that its the business of paying into foreign banks that the Pensions department object to (presumably it costs them??)

sophie wrote:I understand from I've read in the past that its the business of paying into foreign banks that the Pensions department object to (presumably it costs them??)

No, it costs the receiver of the pension via bank charges, if the bank applies them.

Oh, that's different. It was the Pensions Department that said it more beneficial to have it paid into an English bank. Mind you this was 15 years or so ago and I've never had any reason to change.

I keep mine going into my uk account just to keep it open

Would anyone know if its possible to open a UK bank account while in cyprus? thanks

I wouldnt think so its not easy to do it in the UK now.

I doubt it due to the money laundering prevention procedures. You and your passport or form of id will need to be there in person.

I agree with Christwright03. Impossible I found. I could open another account with an existing bank but not a new bank. Money laundering was the explanation. They also wanted more ID than CW03 suggested. New ISA with a new company equally difficult.

Chriswright03 wrote:I doubt it due to the money laundering prevention procedures. You and your passport or form of id will need to be there in person.

and Utility bill has proof of address