Barry Wilson is one of more than 500,000 UK pensioners living abroad who are affected by the policy
Barry Wilson, 84, said decades of service to Britain count for little as his state pension has been “frozen” and is falling further behind rising costs ever since he moved abroad.
The pensioner, who now lives in Australia with his wife, 75, said the UK government treats his pension as if time stood still the day he left the country.
Every year, pensioners living here see their state pension rise under the triple lock, but Mr Wilson’s stays exactly the same – frozen at a rate set years ago – which he said is “deeply unfair”.
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Those on the full new rate currently receive £230.25 per week, requiring 35 years of national insurance (NI) contributions. Those on the old basic system get £176.45 weekly, needing 30 qualifying years.
The triple lock pledge, introduced in 2011, ensures the state pension increases by either inflation, average wage growth, or 2.5 per cent each April – whichever is highest.
This April, it will increase by 4.8 per cent under earnings growth.
Yet Mr Wilson is not seeing this benefit. Speaking to The i Paper, the former petty officer radio electrician in the Royal Navy, said: “I receive a UK state pension of £209.86 per week, which has been frozen at that rate since 12 April 2019, when I moved abroad.
“On top of that, I get a war pension of £71.70 per week for injuries I sustained while serving.”
Mr Wilson and his wife moved to Australia five years ago after their children relocated there.
His wife’s state pension, which is slightly less than Mr Wilson’s, is also frozen. She retired at 67, whereas he retired a little before he turned 65.
Their youngest son and his family moved first, about seven years ago, followed two years later by his daughter and her family.
Because his daughter has a rare, life-limiting condition, he and his wife then made the decision to follow to support her, despite knowing the move would freeze his pension.
Living overseas has brought added costs. Mr Wilson said they now pay for medical treatment, dental care and prescriptions themselves – expenses that would largely be covered under the NHS if they still lived in the UK.
He said: “On top of this, each year, the pension buys less and less, and that really adds up. It makes life harder than it should be after serving your country.
“I put in decades of work, served in two campaigns, contributed fully to NI, and still the pension I earned is shrinking in value every year while costs rise around me.
“I’ve fought bureaucracy all my adult life, often successfully, but this feels like a final blow.”
More than 500,000 UK pensioners living abroad are affected by the frozen pension policy, mostly in countries such as Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Many lose thousands of pounds each year compared with retirees in the UK, leaving them increasingly reliant on savings or family support as the value of their income erodes.
Mr Wilson has tried to highlight the problem by writing to ministers and sending multiple letters to No 10. Some replied, some didn’t. But the policy hasn’t changed for people like him.
He added: “It’s discouraging, but I still hope it will be fixed before I meet my maker.
“I’ve given decades of my life to the country, chaired charities, worked in the Navy and in business, and now I watch the Government strip value from the pension I earned. It’s not right.”
He said speaking out was about more than his own circumstances. He wants to draw attention to the issue and help others facing the same struggle, adding that it might “ease my last few years” if officials finally act, because “people like me shouldn’t be left behind”.
What retirees should know before moving abroad
For older people considering a move overseas later in life, campaigners and advisers say it is crucial to understand how UK pensions and benefits are affected before making the decision.
Check whether your state pension will be frozen UK state pensions only increase each year in the UK and in certain countries with reciprocal agreements. In places such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand, payments are frozen at the rate first paid.
Calculate the long-term cost A frozen pension loses value every year as prices rise. Over time, retirees can miss out on tens of thousands of pounds compared with pensioners who remain in the UK.
Factor in healthcare costs Access to the NHS usually ends when you move abroad. In many countries, retirees must pay for GP visits, hospital care, prescriptions and dental treatment.
Check tax arrangements carefully UK pensions may still be taxable, and HMRC errors can occur. Retirees should ensure their tax code reflects whether their pension is frozen.
Seek independent financial advice before moving Once you have left the UK, decisions are difficult to reverse. Understanding pension rules, healthcare entitlements and residency status in advance can prevent costly surprises later.
Look into visa and residency limits Some countries only offer temporary or bridging visas, which can restrict access to local benefits and long-term security.
Campaigners say better information upfront could prevent many retirees from discovering the full financial impact of a move only after it is too late.