Written question asked by Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 9 February 2015, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 February 2015. It was answered by Lord Freud (Conservative) on Monday, 23 February 2015 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

State Retirement Pensions: British Nationals Abroad

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to alleviate loneliness among British pensioners who would prefer to migrate to join their younger families overseas but who are reluctant to do so as a result of the prospect of the freezing of their state pension.

Answer: The bulk of individuals receiving UK state pensions overseas voluntarily moved abroad whilst in their twenties and thirties. This means they will have spent the majority of their working lives outside the UK and contributing to the economy of their country of residence. For the small minority of pensioners who decide to move overseas at retirement it is advisable that they check the implications for their state pension before moving. There is no evidence of a proven behavioural link between the up-rating policy for the state pension and pensioner migration. Furthermore, it is not the role of the Government to encourage (or discourage) pensioner migration. The decision to move abroad is voluntary and remains a personal choice dependent on the circumstances of the individual, which will differ from person to person, and of which implications for their state pension is just one factor.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL4774
Session: 2014-15
Grouped for answer: Yes
Subjects: British nationals abroad Pensioners State retirement pensions Emigration Loneliness
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk