Retire abroad from the UK: your UK state pension only goes up every year in some countries. Here is where it keeps rising, where it freezes, and what to do if you move or come home.
I plan to live abroad, to Thailand or the Philippines, and the freezing rule was new to me too, so I checked it on GOV.UK. If you are searching for how to retire abroad from the UK, which countries freeze the UK state pension, or whether it goes up in Thailand, the Philippines, Spain, the USA, Malaysia or Dubai, this is what I found.
What I checked on GOV.UK on 10 October 2026: • The UK State Pension is paid worldwide, but it only goes up every year if you live in the European Economic Area, Gibraltar, Switzerland, or a country with a social security agreement with the UK. Canada and New Zealand have an agreement but get no yearly increase • Live anywhere else and GOV.UK says you will not get the yearly increases • The Philippines and the USA are on the agreement list, and Spain is in the EEA, so you will usually get the yearly increase in all three • Thailand, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates (Dubai) are not on either list, so there is no yearly increase • If you return to live in the UK, your pension goes up to the current rate. Contact the Pension Service with your return date and your contact details abroad and in the UK, and call HMRC • To report a new address or new bank details, contact the International Pension Centre by phone or letter, not by email: +44 (0) 191 218 7777, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. You can ask for a call back • You may be sent a life certificate form that needs a witness signature. Payments may be suspended if you do not send it back • I could not find an official rule on splitting the year between the UK and abroad, so ask the International Pension Centre. Your company pension is a separate question that I have not checked
Rules can change, so check GOV.UK before you move. This is what I found, not financial advice.
Thank you to Mr Isles, whose video "5 Countries Practically Begging Brits to Retire There!" shows how many of you are thinking about a move: https://youtu.be/H_9grALyCtA
0:00 Retire abroad from the UK: the pension question 0:28 Where I stand 0:57 Why I checked the rule 1:27 The GOV.UK rule: where the increase stops 1:55 Thailand against the Philippines 2:19 Spain, the USA, Malaysia and Dubai 2:47 If you come back to the UK 3:05 How to tell the Pension Service you have moved 3:44 What you can actually do 4:41 The short version
More from me on Thailand: ▶️ Thailand Visa Changes 2026: 5 Things UK Travellers Still Get Wrong: https://youtu.be/QYndAPQCmQ8 ▶️ Thailand Entry Refused Even With a Visa? What Officers Check: https://youtu.be/lCexvzRNWck
=============================
✅ Important Links ⬇️
🔗 CHECK OUT MY AMAZON STOREFRONT for the latest tech, gadgets, beauty, special offers and more! https://amzn.to/3EyR0Pv
🌟 Get vidIQ to grow your channel faster! 🚀 https://vidiq.com/VlogLife247
🌟 Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=a12fbc 🌟 Smarty Mobile: https://i.smarty.co.uk/j1Bk5cx 🌟 Octopus Energy: use this link to sign up and get £50 credit: https://share.octopus.energy/great-sun-494 🌟 Wise Card: sign up using my link and get a discount on your first transfer: https://wise.com/invite/arhc/paulwilliame2 🌟 Microsoft Rewards: https://rewards.bing.com/welcome?rh=1F24A150&ref=rafsrchae
=============================
🔗 Stay Connected With Me
▶️ Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/people/Vlog-Life-247/61566936920983/ ▶️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vlog.life.247/ 📩 For business enquiries: contactvloglife247@gmail.com
=============================
✅ About Vlog Life 247
Welcome 🎥
I’m taking you along for the ride as I explore my world, one meal and one event at a time. This channel is all about the authentic side of my life, from events and travel to eateries. No scripts, no fake hype, just real life, 24/7.
I upload whenever inspiration strikes, so make sure to subscribe and turn on notifications to join the journey!
=================================
⚠️ Disclaimer: The above links are affiliate links. I will receive a small commission if a purchase is made through one of them. There are no additional costs for you. Where, when and how you buy a product is, of course, up to you.
#RetireAbroad #StatePension #VlogLife247
Watch this video on YouTube: Stop! Check This Before You Retire Abroad From the UK
Reviews have a new home. I’m moving my product reviews to Vlog Life Reviews. Subscribe there for my latest reviews.
For food, travel and everyday vlogs, subscribe to Vlog Life 247.
Leave a Reply