What is the SAABP? In 1915 Kitchener of Khartoum said
“Your country needs you” and the famous picture of him pointing straight at you can still be seen around. In 2002
half a million U K pensioners spread around the world were saying “Country we need you”. In 1915 millions responded, but
none of them is around today. From 1955 to 2002 successive British
Governments had not responded, but there are still half a million UK pensioners out there !! And that is what SAABP is about because we are saying
“come on UK pensioners ... we need you”. In its present form The Alliance was launched in 1994 with the objective, as stated in our constitution, being “To persuade the British Government to pay Social Security Pensions to all pensioners resident outside the United Kingdom at the same rate as those pensioners and widows would receive were they resident in the United Kingdom and certain other countries”
and
“To offer help and advice to all those who are drawing or will in the future become eligible for a British Social Security Pension” We would also welcome help and ideas on possible sources of sponsorship and other support. We need the support of every single U K pensioner
After long deliberation the SAABP decided to go the legal
route having been left no alternative by the continual deafness of
successive British governments to our pleas.
On 6 July 2001 we applied for a Judicial Review of a lead
case, in the name of one of our members, Ms Annette Carson, which was
considered by the legal team in London to be the strongest case and the one
most likely to succeed.
The British Government’s legal counsel indicated they
“Intend to fight the case strongly” and will pursue the line that
“contributors were told of the ‘freeze’” which is disputed. That the
government intends to defend the case is hardly surprising, as we would not
expect the towel to be thrown in on the first bell or surrender following
the first shot!!
As we now know the 3 tiers of UK Courts, The High Court,
The Court of Appeal and The House of Lords ruled against us, with one Law
Lord coming down on our side. Subsequently the Lower Chamber of The European
Court of Human Rights ruled against us unanimously and the Grand Chamber
voted 11 judges against us and 6 for us – a very disappointing result, but
one against which there is no appeal.
Who is affected?
British citizens who have retired and now live in countries other than an EEC country or one from a limited list
(click here for more details) Their families are also affected as in many cases they are obliged to make up the shortfall.
Is it only for South African residents?
We are now one of 5 members of The International Consortium of British Pensioners (ICBP) which includes Australia
and Canada, each of whom have 2 representative bodies. These are the other 2 main countries where thousands of pensions are frozen. At present SAABP has over 11 000 members, including class 3 contributors from an estimated 36 000 British pensioners in Southern Africa. The overall ICBP membership is over 40 000.
For more up to date information on ICBP activities see Newsletters.
Who can help?
We believe any British Pensioners, past present or future, and their dependents would benefit from the work ICBP is doing on their behalf. We would like all British pensioners, or Class 3 contributors towards a pension, living in this country, to identify themselves in order to have as great as possible support base to negotiate against this discrimination. The membership subscription, of R45 p.a., is not compulsory, and no names are withdrawn from our membership list for non-payment of annual dues. However, funds are necessary for stationery, printing, postage, telephone costs, etc., and to keep our members informed on progress with our campaign. We do not have an office, and all work by the Committee is done on a voluntary basis. Our Membership list is confidential, and there is no outside access.
What is the SAABP doing?
Click to read current happenings in the Latest Newsletter How do I apply for a British Social Security Pension?
Write to:
International Pensioner Service
Tyneview Park
Newcastle upon Tyne
ENGLAND NE98 1BA
Or phone 0044 191 218 7777
Send them your National lnsurance number, and any details you can about your
employment while you lived in the United Kingdom. Effective from April 2010
you can qualify for a ‘fully paid’ pension after 30 annual contributions to
the National Insurance Fund and part pensions are calculated on a number of
30ths corresponding to the annual contributions you have paid.
If you are under pensionable age at present you can apply restart annual
contributions. In certain circumstances you may be able to make ‘back
payments’ for missed years, but only the Pension Service can advise the
numbers here.
What is a Life Certificate?
The DWP sends out these forms on a random basis to check vital information and mainly to see whether registered pensioners are still alive. This check is necessary to try to curb fraud and corruption. PLEASE do not ignore these forms as failure to return them within the prescribed 2 months will lead to cancellation or suspension of your pension.
There has been a spate of this recently and the first time pensioners know of it is when checking with their bank!
Unhappily we have had many enquiries from people whose pension has just been stopped even though they either haven’t ever received the Certificate, or having received one, have completed and returned same in time only to be told by the Pension Service that it hasn’t arrived!! The only recourse is to phone 0044 191 218 7777 and ask for a Supervisor to look into your situation.
I hear that the pension is uprated if I go to Britain on holiday. How do I apply?
If you are in the United Kingdom for a period of a week or more, the Department will pay your pension up to your individual current UK level, for that period, on application to them.
This also applies if you go to any of the countries in which pensioners receive upgrading (click to see list).
On return to you ‘home’ country the pension reverts to the frozen level.
We hear that overseas pensions are going to be added to local income and taxed. Is this so?
Under current legislation State Pensions, from wherever emanating, are not subject to taxation. However they have to be declared in a special section of your tax return at the foot of which you insert “UK State Pension”.
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