Dulloldfart
Squirrel Extraordinaire
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/moneyta...tsandothersupport/on_a_low_income/dg_10018692
A few years ago I wondered about my eligibility for a regular UK state pension, having "volunteered" for 23 years in the Sea Org, and working afterwards for several years and paying taxes, but in the US. I discovered that I only needed to make National Insurance contributions *for a further 30 years* and I would then be eligible.
Not too encouraging.
A few weeks ago I discovered about Pension Credit, for low-income people in the UK.
This is how it would apply to someone who is single, over 60, leaving the SO now with no home, no savings, no income, a not unreal situation. Let's assume they are temporarily being helped and housed by an ex and not homeless on the street. A British citizen like that is eligible for Pension Credit, and Housing Benefit. In general terms, that works out to £132 a week for the Pension Credit PLUS maybe £60 a week for the Housing Benefit. Which is enough to pay food, and rent, utilities, and have a bit of spending money on top. For someone who's been in the SO for years, it's actually a LOT of spending money. In other words, the fact of currently being broke and old(-ish) is NOT a stop on getting the hell out of the SO in the UK.
Paul
A few years ago I wondered about my eligibility for a regular UK state pension, having "volunteered" for 23 years in the Sea Org, and working afterwards for several years and paying taxes, but in the US. I discovered that I only needed to make National Insurance contributions *for a further 30 years* and I would then be eligible.
Not too encouraging.
A few weeks ago I discovered about Pension Credit, for low-income people in the UK.
This is how it would apply to someone who is single, over 60, leaving the SO now with no home, no savings, no income, a not unreal situation. Let's assume they are temporarily being helped and housed by an ex and not homeless on the street. A British citizen like that is eligible for Pension Credit, and Housing Benefit. In general terms, that works out to £132 a week for the Pension Credit PLUS maybe £60 a week for the Housing Benefit. Which is enough to pay food, and rent, utilities, and have a bit of spending money on top. For someone who's been in the SO for years, it's actually a LOT of spending money. In other words, the fact of currently being broke and old(-ish) is NOT a stop on getting the hell out of the SO in the UK.
Paul