How much does it cost to live in Phills

[Arthur Little]

Steve, I have been back her for almost 6 weeks now, I cant find any work suitable for me to do (its not my top priority) but i do apply when i see something thats suitable. I dont have family, and i live in a retirement block, Im probably the youngest here at 64 and to be perfectly honest i dont think i can stay here,the feeling i get and its how i feel somedays, is that Im living here and just waiting till its my turn to pop my cloggs (you did ask) so i know for a fact Im not going to hang around waiting for that day. A very close friend that i know down here, is moving away later this month (to Stowmarket) in fact i am moving them, so that again doesnt help. I will either move back to the Midlands where my roots are, or the other option is the Philippines Im not saying the Philippines is second choice far from it, its been on my mind for a few years now, thats why Im a member on here.

I divorced a few years ago, and since that time i have had a couple of relationships with Filipinos, I went there to meet them, 3+ years ago and recently, getting them here is not an option now due to the Income stipulation, 3 years ago it was but when i got back to the UK the lady that i had been to visit told me she was already married so that was a major set back for many reasons, not least every year that went past my option of getting anyone here diminished. I was working at that time so forming a new relationship wasnt easy as we all know, and doesnt happen overnight, eventually i did, and went to meet her back in January i always told her that getting her here to the UK was not an option for reasons i gave above. Yes we met and got along well up to a point, she has a lovely family up in the mountains of Mindanao, but theres always a but in my life, we also had disagreements, and since i have been back i have decided that its not what i want for numerous reasons.
Yes i obviously want to form a relationship but it has to be for the right reasons, meanwhile i will carry on and have 12 months weighing up the options. Jeez Im rambling on here hope Im not boring you all.

Harry/Paul: ...you're NEITHER rambling - NOR being boring - in the slightest. You have helped many, many members here with your wise counsel so, in turn, it's our pleasure - wherever possible - to try our level BEST to help you!

You mention being *64 ( ... a mere stripling compared to myself! ) *which means you'll soon qualify for State Pension. Hence, that got me pondering as to whether you might be eligible for ... ... at least partial exemption from the Government's stringent Minimum Income Rules once you reach retirement age. Therefore, with this in mind, I've spent some time trawling the internet ... eventually coming across [what I hope] a will prove a useful link to the undernoted Government website:

https://www.gov.uk/government/upload...equirement.pdf

Although reading between the lines, it doesn't look like there's any special dispensation for State pensioners, I suggest it's well~worth browsing through ... and would draw your attention to Section 8.1. Category 'E' For Pensions Requirements - specifically 8.1.3. - where it indicates the source can be combined with income from [any or all] of the other listed categories. Moreover, the information has been updated to as recently as May 2016.

[grahamw48]

Harry... sounds like you are in a similar position to myself (and same age)... other than I married the girl I met.

For the foreseeable future I will split my time between UK and the Phils. I will not give up my OAP bungy here, or my right to free healthcare. That would be stupid IMO.

We have just made a start on building our little house. It won't have aircon. Don't need or want it.

So, after the investment in that... no rent.

I will do without the hassle of vehicle ownership. We are lucky in being very close to good transport. links though.

I would hope we (me , Mrs + baby) can get by nicely on 30-50,000 pesos a month... always bearing in mind that exchange rates can make a lot of difference... as can 'the unexpected'.

[Michael Parnham]

Steve, I have been back her for almost 6 weeks now, I cant find any work suitable for me to do (its not my top priority) but i do apply when i see something thats suitable. I dont have family, and i live in a retirement block, Im probably the youngest here at 64 and to be perfectly honest i dont think i can stay here, the feeling i get and its how i feel somedays, is that Im living here and just waiting till its my turn to pop my cloggs (you did ask) so i know for a fact Im not going to hang around waiting for that day. A very close friend that i know down here, is moving away later this month (to Stowmarket) in fact i am moving them, so that again doesnt help. I will either move back to the Midlands where my roots are, or the other option is the Philippines Im not saying the Philippines is second choice far from it, its been on my mind for a few years now, thats why Im a member on here.

I divorced a few years ago, and since that time i have had a couple of relationships with Filipinos, I went there to meet them, 3+ years ago and recently, getting them here is not an option now due to the Income stipulation, 3 years ago it was but when i got back to the UK the lady that i had been to visit told me she was already married so that was a major set back for many reasons, not least every year that went past my option of getting anyone here diminished. I was working at that time so forming a new relationship wasnt easy as we all know, and doesnt happen overnight, eventually i did, and went to meet her back in January i always told her that getting her here to the UK was not an option for reasons i gave above. Yes we met and got along well up to a point, she has a lovely family up in the mountains of Mindanao, but theres always a but in my life, we also had disagreements, and since i have been back i have decided that its not what i want for numerous reasons.
Yes i obviously want to form a relationship but it has to be for the right reasons, meanwhile i will carry on and have 12 months weighing up the options. Jeez Im rambling on here hope Im not boring you all.

Good post Harry, so I've sent a request with my rep

[Michael Parnham]

Harry... sounds like you are in a similar position to myself (and same age)... other than I married the girl I met.

For the foreseeable future I will split my time between UK and the Phils. I will not give up my OAP bungy here, or my right to free healthcare. That would be stupid IMO.

We have just made a start on building our little house. It won't have aircon. Don't need or want it.

So, after the investment in that... no rent.

I will do without the hassle of vehicle ownership. We are lucky in being very close to good transport. links though.

I would hope we (me , Mrs + baby) can get by nicely on 30-50,000 pesos a month... always bearing in mind that exchange rates can make a lot of difference... as can 'the unexpected'.

Another good and sensible post, rep on it's way Graham

[Michael Parnham]

Hi Peter thanks for your input, but you explain your meaning of Visa conditions, do you mean costs Of ?
Secondly i got through 200.000 php during my three month stay, so are you saying its more expensive or less.

Fortunately i dont have a Special Det or Medications, thought i do have a Medical past, in that i have twice come through a Cancer Illness.

Yes i realise the sense of living close to a City where its reasonably easy to access Healthcare and Equipment, which is why Bohol seems perfectly suited to that.

P200,000 is what we spend on our three week holiday including our flights and hotel so for three months that's not bad £230 per week for thirteen weeks

[Harry T]

I really appreciate some of the comments on here, its nice to see that most of the respected members have taken the time and trouble to offer there help, and advice on my situation. Thanks also to the people who sent me Reps, i really didnt expect that as Im asking for advice on my situation.
It makes me feel a little bit humble to read all these great replies, i realise my original question now expanded upon, was a little bit "How longs a piece of Stringish" but the general opinion seems to be its do-able on my Pension, providing that i make the right choices, However i still feel the Healthcare issue may still be a possible fly in the ointment so to speak.
When i was in Phills i met and became friends with an American guy, who moved to Samal, and shortly after had a stroke, and his medicinal expences i was told are 30k per month, and he is basically housebound now.

[stevewool]

Harry I understand how you feel too.
Paying out so much per year for the just in case is hard plus what happens if you cannot get to the hospital.
Lots of thinking on this, yes you need it but if you have enough cash and have no medical history, well it's a chance you have to take

[scott&ligaya]

fao SteveK

there are good private schools but they are getting a bit crowded as the city has expanded a lot over the last five years. Hope Christian school is where our two go and they do love it there but as I say class sizes are rising. the kindergarten we used to go to SV Montesorri has just opened a new elementary school but it seems to me that we noticed a money driven motive first there.

Secondary wise there are again good private schools with a lot of the ex pats and local worthies seem to send their kids to Hope Christian ( perhaps for continuity) or the National Science High School or Salve Regina. I am not familiar with those schools but parents of kids there that we know seem happy enough.

As it happens we are moving back to the UK as I have had enough of contracting and want to be home every evening with the children as they are getting older I believe they need both mum and dad at home to bring them up. So we are selling our main property and keeping our farms and rubber plantation for retirement income when my wife and I will eventually return after the kiddos are educated.

I cannot get my kind of work in the corporate world even in Manila and as I say I want to be home so easier for me to come back to a nice part of the UK (maybe up north in Scotland where I am from) and get back into a management role.

if you are seriously considering PP as an option I am happy to find out more , we know several teachers and a deputy head.

cheers

Scott

[Harry T]

Im just working my way slowly through Arthurs Link, this seems very interesting

Total Savings held Entry Clearance/Leave to Remain Indefinite Leave to Remain
Amount which can be used
Income needed from other sources (that can be combined with cash savings)
Amount which can be used Income needed from other sources (that can be combined with cash savings)
£62,500 (62500 – 16000) ÷ 2.5 = £18,600 None (62500– 16000) = £46,500 None
£40,500 (40500 – 16000) ÷ by 2.5 = £9,800 £8,800 (40500 – 16000) = £24,500 None
£33,000 (33000 – 16000) ÷ 2.5 = £6,800 £11,800 (33000 – 16000) = £17,000 £1,600
£25,000 (25000 – 16000) ÷ 2.5 = £3,600 £15,000 (25000 – 16000) = £9,000 £9,600
£17,500 (17500 – 16000) ÷ 2.5 = £600 £18,000 (17500 – 16000) = £1,500£17,100
£16,500 (16500 – 16000) ÷ 2.5 = £200 £18,400 (16500 – 16000) = £500 £18,100

That table doesnt copy out right, but its this link Paragraph 7.2 and particuarly 7.2.4 i think this is of very great interest to others in my predicament, especially for those with a Pension pot, because if i read it correctly the Pension pot can be combined with the State Pension, or any other Income thereby bringing down the Income requirement, so anyone over 55 this might apply to.
I dont know if Iv explained it correctly but take a read.

https://www.gov.uk/government/upload...equirement.pdf

[Terpe]

Not sure I understand what you are thinking Harry
Just to be clear. There's really no change in the rules for pensioners or for those with cash savings.

It's still about actual cash savings and actual
Pension income.

Nothing to do with 'pension pot' which is a notional asset.

Sorry if I misunderstood something.

[Arthur Little]

Not sure I understand what you are thinking Harry

Tbh, ... from the content of #18 it looked to me (still does!) that he's "weighing up" his options -one of which, includes the prospect of bringing a potential partner to the UK - and I'd been keen to offer what I believed to be useful help, bearing in mind he is approaching State Pension age.

Just to be clear. There's really no change in the rules for pensioners or for those with cash savings.

It's still about actual cash savings and actual
Pension income.

Nothing to do with 'pension pot' which is a notional asset.

Sorry if I misunderstood something.

Hmm ... rightly or wrongly ... I've always been under the impression that there would be some relaxation of the income rules for sponsors who were 65 or over; I mean ... ... there cannot be many who will even gross *£18,600 a year as an Occupational Pension - far less anything like that from the State, surely! Heaven forbid, it's not so long since I checked with the present equivalent of the local authority with whom I worked for 181/2 years ... only to discover that even now, my salary would barely equate to the *minimum figure this draconian Government is stipulating.

[Harry T]

No from the way i read it Peter, with last Aprils pension Freedoms, anyone over 55 can access these "Pension Pots" in anyways that they want, Pension savings Accounts from which savings can be immediately withdrawn are considered to be savings NOT notional now..

Here is the info taken from the Link

1 The bank/savings account is a current, deposit or investment account
2 The account is held is a financial institution regulated by the appropriate regulatory
body for the country in which that institution is operating
3 The financial institution is not on the list of excluded institutions under the Immigration
Rules
4 Regular bank statements are provided
5 The statements cover the necessary time period required in the Immigration Rules
6 The savings are held in cash (or their cash value is clear)
7 The savings can be immediately withdrawn (with or without penalty)
8 The funds are under the control of the person and/or their partner for the necessary
time period required in the Immigration Rules
9 The source of the funds is legal
10 The source of the funds has been declared


7.4.4. For example, in the UK a ‘stocks and shares’ Individual Savings Account (ISA) does
meet the definition of a savings account and the funds can be considered as cash
savings if all the requirements above are met. Likewise, a pension savings account from
which savings can be immediately withdrawn.


So by looking at the Table in 7.2.4 someone who has savings of lets say £5k and a Pension Pot if over 55 of lets assume £25K those two added together will give total savings of £30k and therefore an income of only £9600 is needed, If you have £5k savings and a £30k pension pot the income needed becomes even less at £1600, now Im a bit thick, but thats how i read this..

7.4.4 Is the relevant Paragraph, i dont know how to highlight it, and in 7.2.4 there are two Tables one is for Entry Clearance/Leave to Remain, and the other table for my quoted figures is for Indefinite Leave to Remain i dont know the difference, but i would appreciate if someone who has more knowledge could please read the link above, and see if they come to the same conclusion as me, this could be very important for lots of people out there.

So through Arthurs Link, and my ignorance we may have helped not only Income needed to live in Phills, but others who may be struggling to meet Income requirements for the UK, this could be a loophole which the UK Gov have not yet realised was opened up with Pensions freedoms 2015.

[Terpe]

8. Pension
8.1. Category E: Pension – requirements
8.1.1. The gross annual income from any State (UK Basic State Pension and Additional or Second State Pension, HM Forces Pension or foreign) or private pension received by the applicant’s partner or the applicant can be counted towards the financial requirement.
8.1.2. The annual pension income may be counted where the pension has become a source of income at least 28 days prior to the application.
8.1.3. This source can be combined with income from Category A: salaried and non-salaried employment, part (1) of Category B: salaried and non-salaried employment, Category C: non-employment income and Category D: cash savings in order to meet the financial requirement.
8.1.4. The gross amount of any State (UK or foreign) or private pension received by the applicant’s partner or the applicant in the 12 months prior to the date of application can be combined with part (2) of Category B: salaried and non-salaried employment.

8.1.5. Where an application relying on pension income also relies on cash savings liquidated from the pension pot on which this income is based, the specified evidence from the pension provider of the ongoing pension income will need to reflect the cash withdrawal from the pension pot.

[Harry T]

Arthur you read Post 18 Correctly, Peter i think we are discussing two seperate things here, there is no Doubt 8. Pension is correct, as you pointed out its in Black and White.


Let me try and explain a little better, up until a few hours ago i (and many others) was under the assumption i needed an income of £18.600 per annum to bring a person to the UK.
However having gradually reading through Arthurs Link i eventually came down to Section 7 Cash Savings Paragraphs 7.2/7.2.4/7.4.4 those are the sections which drew my attention..

As an example lets assume a person (over 55) has a Pension Savings Account (Pension Pot) of £35k, and a maybe 2/3 thousand Cash at the bank how much further Income would such a person need ? Table 7.2.4
to meet the Income requirement.

Please bear in mind i am specifically referring to Section 7... /7.2/7.2.4/7.4.4

It seems to me this Notional (Pension Pot) is now regarded as Savings, which i know only to well, as i am having to use mine to top up my Pension Credit, therefore what other Income do i, and others need. I realise i am being somewhat stubborn over this, but its an important point because Table 7.2.4 seems to be telling me, that i dont require £18.600.

[Terpe]

....... It seems to me this Notional (Pension Pot) is now regarded as Savings, which i know only to well, as i am having to use mine to top up my Pension Credit, therefore what other Income do i, and others need. I realise i am being somewhat stubborn over this, but its an important point because Table 7.2.4 seems to be telling me, that i dont require £18.600.

1. Unless exempt from the financial requirement then a couple must meet the minimum income threshold of £18600

2. There are 5 permitted sources to meet the financial requirement.

a) Income from employment

b) Non-employment income such as from property rental or dividends from shares etc

c) Cash savings above £16,000 held for at least 6 months

d) Income from State pension (UK or foreign) or private pension

e) Income from self-employment / director of a UK limited company in the UK

Some of the above permitted 5 sources may be combined under the financial requirement rules in order to reach the stipulated threshold of £18600 for a couple

IF any funds held in deposit/investment accounts, or in what you call a pension-pot, meet the published requirements of UKVI to be eligible as cash-savings then of course they may be used either alone or as permitted combined sources in meeting the £18600 requirement.

[Harry T]

1. Unless exempt from the financial requirement then a couple must meet the minimum income threshold of £18600

2. There are 5 permitted sources to meet the financial requirement.

a) Income from employment

b) Non-employment income such as from property rental or dividends from shares etc

c) Cash savings above £16,000 held for at least 6 months

d) Income from State pension (UK or foreign) or private pension

e) Income from self-employment / director of a UK limited company in the UK

Some of the above permitted 5 sources may be combined under the financial requirement rules in order to reach the stipulated threshold of £18600 for a couple

IF any funds held in deposit/investment accounts, or in what you call a pension-pot, meet the published requirements of UKVI to be eligible as cash-savings then of course they may be used either alone or as permitted combined sources in meeting the £18600 requirement.

Thank you Peter, so it seems My Income of £5700 + my SIPP (Self Invested Personal Pension) is enough for me to meet the financial requirement.

Example:

Rachel earns £15,000 per year. She wants to sponsor her husband for a settlement spousal visa. Her husband has no dependents. Rachel would need to have £25,000 in savings to meet the shortfall: floor amount of £16,000 + £3,600 (shortfall) x 2.5 = £25,000.

[grahamw48]

All totally wrong of course. It means we are BUYING a bride.

The government should simply have disallowed benefits for a stipulated period... so allowing time for the inçoming partner to find employment. Wasted words I know, but it has to be said.

[Harry T]

All totally wrong of course. It means we are BUYING a bride.

The government should simply have disallowed benefits for a stipulated period... so allowing time for the inçoming partner to find employment. Wasted words I know, but it has to be said.

Yes i fully agree Graham, but this is where peoples lives have been hurt in an ill conceived to attempt to limit Immigration, why the heck should someone who was Born here was educated here, spent all my working life here, paying Taxes all my life, now be forced more or less to leave all that behind, in search of happiness?.
Which is why i asked the original Question of how much does it cost to live in Phills, because thats an Option that Im forced to look at due mostly to the Immigration rules. I dont want to spend the rest of my life looking at 4 walls, waiting for the day i pop my Clogs, rightly or wrongly Ladies of my own age do not attract me. Thanks to all the replies that i have received on here they are all going towards helping me make up my mind where my future may be. Its a big big decision to move abroad, especially so far away, i think financially its doable except for the one big question of Healthcare. I will today start looking at options on this there have been Topics started on this, but as i have said i have previous on this (having had The Big C on 2 occasions) and i know for a fact most Insurance Companies run a mile when this is mentioned, and will consider this as pre existing, though right now it doesnt exist .

[Arthur Little]

All totally wrong of course. It means we are BUYING a bride.

's just about what it amounts to, Graham ...

The government should simply have disallowed benefits for a stipulated period... so allowing time for the inçoming partner to find employment. Wasted words I know, but it has to be said.

... true words though, !