Retiring in the Phils

[tone]

Hi Guys
I wanted to find out what sort of things you should do to consider retiring to the Phils.

It must admit there must be hundreds of things to think about but the first question relates to pensions and retirement funding.

I recently had a pension review and have identified an amount of pensionable income from "pensions" and my house will be paid up and worth a decent sum I hope - one plan is to purchase another property at some point (cheap) and rent it out to help increase the funds at retirement.

How do we get our income from state pensions and private pensions in the Phils?
I heard on here we can take these tax free over there - how does this practically work?

I am working on getting a job back in SG and that will take a few years to migrate there (maybe 7-10 years) then I'm hoping to work there for another 5 years whilst we purchase something in Phils.

Although none of the above is cast in stone I think with 15 years to go I should plan now.

Cheers
Tone

[lastlid]

If you get paid a private pension it just gets paid straight into your designated bank account. Some before tax, some tax paid. Depending on where you reside and that countries tax regime, its the tax that you might have to iron out as the money going into your account, either UK tax paid or otherwise is straight forward.

If you don't qualify to pay UK tax on a private pension then I believe you can relatively easily organise it to be paid to you free of UK tax.

Give your pension provider a call.

[Terpe]

Just as lastlid says, the pensions are paid directly into your designated bank account.
That applies to private and state pensions.

It's good to plan, but a lot can happen within 15 years.

As it stands right now, your UK income is taxed 'at source'.
However, there is currently an agreement between the UK and Philippines called a “double taxation agreement”

This means that when you receive pension payments, those payments should
only be taxed once if you’re living in a country with which UK has a double taxation agreement.

If there is no double taxation agreement in effect between the two countries,
you can expect to be taxed twice.

Normally, your pension will be taxed at source in the UK but, if you are resident
in Philippines, and you inform HMRC that your pension will be taxed in your country
of residence (Philippines), then tax in the UK will not be applied.

Where that is the case, and you make a claim for relief, HMRC will authorise
payment of your pension without deduction of tax.

You will need to obtain a TIN (Tax Identification Number) from Philippines BIR and
send this to HMRC as evidence.

Here's the really interesting and important part, currently income from pensions is taxed at 0% in Philippines.

[Trefor]

Good information there Terpe!

I think healthcare is the biggest issue with retiring out there. If you can afford to keep a UK address (even if you rent it to family on the side), then at least you'll get NHS care when something nasty happens, which of course is normal when you get closer to the end... sorry to be negative but this is the reality).

[stevewool]

dont get me started, but lots of advice on here and the main thing is save save save, and get out there as soon as possible, rent, buy what do you do, how much do you want, the list goes on , and it changes everyday, i come home after a bad day and think sod it lets go, but really i know its got to be when i hit 60, so not long to go, i shall have enough cash by then, just like you tone i will have a place to rent out here, i was thinking of getting another one but do i want the stress of renting out 2 places here, what happens if they dont rent or get the wrong people in, so i am happy with just the 1 and the rest of the money will be in the bank,heathcare well lets wait and see

[Terpe]

Good information there Terpe!

I think healthcare is the biggest issue with retiring out there. If you can afford to keep a UK address (even if you rent it to family on the side), then at least you'll get NHS care when something nasty happens, which of course is normal when you get closer to the end... sorry to be negative but this is the reality).

Trefor, you'd better do some research on that assumption of qualification for NHS .

[Rosie1958]

Trefor, you'd better do some research on that assumption of qualification for NHS .

Anyone who is deemed to be ordinarily resident in the UK is entitled to free NHS hospital treatment in England. “Ordinarily resident” is a common law concept interpreted by the House of Lords in 1982 as someone who is living lawfully in the United Kingdom voluntarily and for settled purposes as part of the regular order of their life for the time being, with an identifiable purpose for their residence here which has a sufficient degree of continuity to be properly described as settled.

Anyone who is not ordinarily resident is subject to the National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2011. These regulations place a responsibility on NHS hospitals to establish whether a person is ordinarily resident; or exempt from charges under one of a number of exemption categories; or liable for charges.

Nationality or past or present payments of UK taxes and National Insurance contributions are not taken into consideration when establishing residence. The only thing relevant is whether you ordinarily live in the UK.

Been there, done that and got the tee-shirt. The only way that I could ensure that my very sick brother could qualify for free NHS healthcare was for him to return to live permanently in UK and I had to provide evidence of this. I was also told by the hospital that if he subsequently leaves the UK, the costs of his treatment will then become payable.

[Trefor]

Trefor, you'd better do some research on that assumption of qualification for NHS .

[stevewool]

we all are going to die may it be a long time coming for all of us, i agree you have to look at everything if you are planning to leave this country, the NHS for me dont come into my plans for the future, yes may need it one day but if that happens well, we shall see, the biggest problem for me is not having enough money to get by when i am there, but thats being sorted, no work, means no stress, beautiful warm weather, means no colds or sore joints, all in all a better life, just my thoughts

[RickyR]

I'd say one of the most important considerations for living in the Philippines would be adequate Medical Insurance, or at the very very least some kind of repatriation insurance.

[imagine]

strange comparison, you could die in phil from not having the money or med insurance,

here you could die on the waiting list for medical attention, just to see my gp is up to 4 weeks waiting unless you cry out its an emergency,
it seems when you have a medical complaint by the time you have moved up on the waiting list your condition has become urgent

[RickyR]

strange comparison, you could die in phil from not having the money or med insurance,

here you could die on the waiting list for medical attention, just to see my gp is up to 4 weeks waiting unless you cry out its an emergency,
it seems when you have a medical complaint by the time you have moved up on the waiting list your condition has become urgent

The UK's overwhelmed and underfunded NHS.

[stevewool]

strange comparison, you could die in phil from not having the money or med insurance,

here you could die on the waiting list for medical attention, just to see my gp is up to 4 weeks waiting unless you cry out its an emergency,
it seems when you have a medical complaint by the time you have moved up on the waiting list your condition has become urgent

horses for courses, they say,the trouble is you ring the doctor because of this and that, you get in when they give you the apointment, but you are better by the time you go and you cant remember what was wrong anyway,

- - - Updated - - -

pay as you go, go to the doctors he gives you something and you pay him or her, simple, i am told this is what happens in the phils, and for more urgent things you can get a cheaper cover insurance, that covers you for less rather then paying hundreds, even thousands for something you may never use, again this is just my thoughs, we are all differant in what we do and want in each others lives, whats good for one may not be good for others

[tiger31]

on the subject of health if you are a rare blood group and need an operation there is a good chance of dying because the hospitals don,t always have the blood in stock and i,m not joking here i,m a member of a few forums out here and the amount of emergency calls that go out for donations scares me big time

[RickyR]

on the subject of health if you are a rare blood group and need an operation there is a good chance of dying because the hospitals don,t always have the blood in stock and i,m not joking here i,m a member of a few forums out here and the amount of emergency calls that go out for donations scares me big time

Agreed. I've always donated blood in the UK and in Oman (tried in the US but was refused due to CJD risk for all Brits). But in the Phils it's pretty much necessary to donate.
I donated about a dozen times at Chong Hua in Cebu whereby for each unit you donate, when you have an emergency your family are entitled to a unit free and with priority (or at least that's how they explained it to me)

[Terpe]

Anyone who is deemed to be ordinarily resident in the UK is entitled to free NHS hospital treatment in England. “Ordinarily resident” is a common law concept interpreted by the House of Lords in 1982 as someone who is living lawfully in the United Kingdom voluntarily and for settled purposes as part of the regular order of their life for the time being, with an identifiable purpose for their residence here which has a sufficient degree of continuity to be properly described as settled.

Anyone who is not ordinarily resident is subject to the National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2011. These regulations place a responsibility on NHS hospitals to establish whether a person is ordinarily resident; or exempt from charges under one of a number of exemption categories; or liable for charges.

Nationality or past or present payments of UK taxes and National Insurance contributions are not taken into consideration when establishing residence. The only thing relevant is whether you ordinarily live in the UK.

Been there, done that and got the tee-shirt. The only way that I could ensure that my very sick brother could qualify for free NHS healthcare was for him to return to live permanently in UK and I had to provide evidence of this. I was also told by the hospital that if he subsequently leaves the UK, the costs of his treatment will then become payable.

Very informative Rosie
Yep, I know you've been there etc etc. You certainly understand the NHS eligibility now.

I was surprised that you were told that if your brother leaves UK then the NHS costs become payable.
Talk about Sword of Damocles

[Terpe]

on the subject of health if you are a rare blood group and need an operation there is a good chance of dying because the hospitals don,t always have the blood in stock and i,m not joking here i,m a member of a few forums out here and the amount of emergency calls that go out for donations scares me big time

There are shortages in UK also.
I heard some kind of interview on BBC news (for what it's worth) and this Doctor was suggesting that the number of blood donors has decreased significantly and that some blood types were extremely difficult find and then to transport in the time needed.
This was all part of a discussion on rationalisation of NHS services. Many specialist services will be consolidated ( that means closed down and relocated)

Do you happen to know the blood types that are difficult in Philippines.
I'm an A

[Terpe]

Just thinking about the all important medical issues, I have some stories from my own personal experience with family members.
I actually posted here about one of them. My Bro-in-law.

If you're planning to spend significantly on a medical insurance plan, then from my perspective you'd better be prepared to live within a short radius of a top quality hospital.
The only way that serious or emergency medical attention can be administered
is if you are actually at the hospital within a safe period of time.
That kind of limits your residential location

I'm sure that some form of repatriation insurance can be of benefit to some folks.
But do be aware of what Rosie has posted. If you're lucky enough to find your way back to blighty and you're lucky enough to have survived then I doubt you'll get international insurance cover ever again.

[stevewool]

its down to what you think is important at the time, and what you can afford too, life is very important and i understand that you may have to pay a lot to make sure you are ok in the future, but you have to live in the present too, its all about balance, healthy living, exercise, sexercise, sunshine, and a cool drink with a great view,

[Doc Alan]

In Rosie’s situation , everything was done honestly and with all the evidence needed to provide her brother’s healthcare ( #7 ). She and her brother deserve the respect, sympathy,and support given by every forum member.

• Unfortunately the term “ ordinarily resident “ is a grey area. The problem highlighted in the recent Panorama documentary ( http://filipinaroses.com/showthread....MA-(wednesday) #8 ) is that the policy may not be implemented - the true scale being unknown. Department of Health guidance was quoted to the effect that overseas visitors - lawfully in the UK or not - are eligible to register with a GP practice, even if they fail to provide identification or proof of address. Once registered – whether or not arranged by “ fixers “, and depending on acceptance by the practice, hospital trusts may not check their credentials when referred for treatment.


• Everyone in the UK – regardless of immigration or residency status – IS entitled to certain categories of free care. These include treatment in Accident and Emergency; treatment for sexually-transmitted infections, and for conditions such as TB and malaria. NHS staff will treat anyone whose condition is deemed life-threatening or urgent, including women giving birth. “ Walk In Clinics “ are also free to all. It certainly does NOT include the complete range of health care - ranging from MRI scans to hip replacements - which have been fraudulently obtained. The Panorama programme was unable to identify how many such " health tourists " exist and therefore at what cost to the NHS / UK taxpayer.

[Doc Alan]

This is a summary of the topic of blood groups, which I have posted previously.

There are two main systems - ABO and Rh. Receiving blood from the wrong group, inadequately screened, or expired, could be life-threatening .


• A has A antigens on its red blood cells and anti-B antibodies in its plasma.


• B has B antigens and anti-A antibodies in its plasma.


• O has no antigens but both anti-A and anti-B antibodies. Group O red cells can safely be given to most people.


• AB has both A and B antigens but no antibodies.


• Red blood cells may have Rh(D) antigen . If present, group is “ Rh positive “ ; absent, “ Rh negative “.


• Like everything else, it’s more complicated – but you can be one of 8 main blood groups :-


• Philippines ( compared to UK ) as % :-

O Rh-positive --- 46 ( 37 ; 7 negative)

A Rh-positive --- 23 (35 ; 7 negative )

B Rh-positive --- 25 ( 8 ; 2 negative )

AB Rh-positive --- 6 ( 3 ; 1 negative )

Rh-negative --- Less than 1 ( 17 total negative )


• Make sure you know your own blood group, and be aware the groups and transfusion services are different in the Philippines to UK !

[andy222]

Now that is good information doc you just never know.

[imagine]

thats reassuring information , thanks doc alan,

i should be ok being 0 rh positive

[stevewool]

dont know what i am other then a good looking bloke, how do you go about finding out what type you are

[imagine]

dont know what i am other then a good looking bloke, how do you go about finding out what type you are

how about calling in a blood doner centre, get your blood tested a cup of tea and biscuits,
cost only 1 pint of the good stuff

[stevewool]

i use to do that all the time years ago, then suddenly i stopped dont know why just did, i use to try and give my blood and then walk out straight away, what fun they had trying to pin me down,

[raynaputi]

Do you happen to know the blood types that are difficult in Philippines.
I'm an A

According to Red Cross PH...

19. What is the most common blood type?
The approximate distribution of blood types in the Philippines population is as follows (though distribution may be different for specific racial and ethnic groups):

O Rh-positive --- 44-46 percent
A Rh-positive --- 22-23 percent
B Rh-positive --- 24-25 percent
AB Rh-positive --- 4-6 percent
Rh-negative group --- Less than 1 percent

http://www.redcross.org.ph/blooddonationfaqs

[andy222]

i use to do that all the time years ago, then suddenly i stopped dont know why just did, i use to try and give my blood and then walk out straight away, what fun they had trying to pin me down,

Im not 100% sure steve but I think your blood type will be on your donor card.

[Doc Alan]

According to Red Cross PH...

19. What is the most common blood type?
The approximate distribution of blood types in the Philippines population is as follows (though distribution may be different for specific racial and ethnic groups):

O Rh-positive --- 44-46 percent
A Rh-positive --- 22-23 percent
B Rh-positive --- 24-25 percent
AB Rh-positive --- 4-6 percent
Rh-negative group --- Less than 1 percent

http://www.redcross.org.ph/blooddonationfaqs

Thanks for confirming what I said in #21 Rayna

[raynaputi]

​Haha..it just happened that I replied to Terpe's post right away before reading your post Doc Al!