galexinda wrote:juliesewell wrote:If there's a way the UK Government can save on costs..... you can bet your bottom dollar, they will
I agree - until 2013 my state pension forecast stated I would receive a full pension based on my husband's contributions. Only for the government to rule differently later in the year. So I am not going to assume that any agreements between the UK and Cyprus prior to joining the EU will remain in place.
Galexinda, sadly, those rules changed in the 2011 Act. I agree with you, HiC and Juliesewell that the Gov't will always try to save costs. Sadly, often to the detriment of people (like most expats) who've 'paid into the system' all of their working lives. Like you, I was expecting a (albeit reduced) pension based on my OH's NI Conts. And you know what? I got it in July this year, when I qualified for the SP. (Worked all my life since age 15, but stupidly, took bad advice re the 'married woman's' NICs). Anyway, what I was going to say, what year will you qualify for the SP? It might be worth getting another SP Statement (formerly the Forecast), as there were some 'subtle' changes to the interpretation of the rules - sort of a transitional period. I'm currently campaigning for the Gov't to revisit the whole SP debacle - have a look at WASPI on Facebook, or visit the WASPI website.
I still think the SPs for expats in EU countries (and a few others, like Switzerland.....) will continue to receive the annual uprating of the SP. To be honest, I feel more sorry though, for pensioners in countries like Australia, who have their SP frozen once they move there.