AIBU to think claiming two state pensions seems unethical?

[CoffeeAndCats3]

I wrote about this on another thread, but thought I'd start my own as it irks me and I'm wondering if IABU.

My parents emigrated from the UK in their early/mid thirties and have never lived in the UK since. They are now late 60's. My Mum told me recently that both her and my Dad are claiming a full UK pension, in addition to a full pension in the country them emigrated to. They don't need this money, but she seemed quite smug about how they can 'double dip' and live the Life of Riley while sitting on a load of money, rental properties etc. I told her it seemed a bit unethical to me, but she didn't understand my viewpoint at all.

How is this possible? She said that they only had to pay their (national insurance?) for a period of time after moving, to then be eligible for the full UK pension on retirement? Can someone explain to me if this is correct, as I half think they've scammed the UK system somehow!

Why are h so bitter about ur own parents? Ur mums mistake was telling you, even her own flesh is jealous of her. Owning assets doesn’t necessarily make you rich as your cash is tied up. You don’t really have any idea about their finances and just seem to be jealous.

I assume they paid voluntary National Insurance contributions for whatever period of time they needed to.

It’s a bit of a loophole as they’re likely to be getting way more than they ever paid in, and I think the rules have now been tightened up a little, but I don’t think they did anything unethical if it was allowed by the rules at the time.

It's a loophole. Work in UK for a few years, then pay something like £200 a year to get full state pension from the UK that you left 30+ years earlier. It's an absolute disgrace and I could hardly believe it when I first heard it. But it's all true.

It does seem odd to be entitled to pensions in two different places, or to have worked enough years in each place to qualify.

Are you sure they are both state pensions?

If they’re getting a full UK state pension then they’ve paid the appropriate contributions. If you’re living outside the UK then you can make voluntary contributions to top up your UK pension, and it’s a relatively small amount per year if you’re paying to another country’s pension too.

Obviously I don’t know your parents or their financial situation but I know others who are doing this.

I think it was originally intended for people who may work outside the UK for a few years (in the days when companies moved people to different offices rather than just employing people local to there) and not qualify for state pension in other countries. As with many things, it’s something the government should have looked into much earlier.

And to add, no, this loophole had not been closed. People are currently paying this tiny yearly top up to get the full UK pension in due course.
No other countries are as lax and generous with taxpayers money as the UK.
It's outrageous

That would get right on my last nerve too op. Mainly the smugness.

Voluntary class 3 NI contributions are about £240 quarterly , so for both of them that would have been £1600 per year . Class 2 is a lot less £150 ish per year but it depends what they did before they moved as to which they had to pay

usually just paying class 3 entitles you to this, so about 185 pounds per year.

I've lived in Canada for 17 years and plan on taking a UK pension (that's if there's anything left by the time I'm 67!). I've paid the national insurance contributions.

It has been substantially limited. You always had to pay for the full 30 years or whatever was required to qualify for the full pension, but 1. there used to be a reduced rate for people overseas, I expect because they were paying a local pension, and they have cut that class of payment off, and 2. You don’t get the triple lock, your pension is locked flat at claiming age, so it’s worth significantly less than the indexed amount a uk pensioner is claiming.

I’ve edited my post as it was incorrect , however the fact remains that if they’ve paid in they are entitled and they may well have paid in more than many people who still live here .

There isn’t any access to class 2 for non residents anymore. https://bdhsterling.com/how-uk-national-insurance-changes-from-april-2026-could-affect-you-if-youre-an-expat-in-australia/
I correct my previous comment, EEA residents and another category still get the triple lock. Outside those don’t.

You don’t get the triple lock, your pension is locked flat at claiming age, so it’s worth significantly less than the indexed amount a uk pensioner is claiming.

I was about to post that. Most pensioners abroad get a lot less than they would had they remained in the UK. Their pension doesn't rise at all from the moment they claim it.

Depends which country they live in

They 'closed' it in April this year.

Well more like amended it.

You could previously pay between £160-170 per year and get a full state pension.

The criteria for the previous offer was you has to have lived in the UK for at least 3 years and been either employed or self employed when you moved abroad.

From April 2026, you now need a minimum of 10 years residence in the UK to be eligible for voluntary payments.

You are also no longer able to play the lower Class 2 rate. You can only pay the voluntary Class 3 rate which is £900+ per year.

It's an improvement but still not great.

Very tough to hear, I will be working and pay tax beyond the qualified years but can't get the full pension until another 15 years. All money would be drained by then. Nothing left for people who contributed fully all those working years.

😂

If it is possible, then they are not doing anything wrong. Don't hate the player, hate the game.
I think I replied to you on the other thread too, and said about my ex who left here at 40. Will he be able to do the same? I am not sure if he paid voluntary NI or whatever it is. He is self employed and was putting money into private pensions. I don't really know how it all works.

Ah, sounds like it's all correct then. Not surprised they've had this all worked out as they've always been shrewd with money.

But given the state of the UK finances atm it does seem like a loophole which needs addressing.

I honestly don't know, but there are some knowledgeable posters upthread who hopefully will respond.

It won’t happen, politicians are too chicken to go after anything to do with pensioners. They’ll just take more money off poor people.

There's just so much wrong with our benefits system . Needs a complete overhaul. And people are just happy to keep taking because they can even when they don't need it. The greediness just makes me sick.

The thing is with pensions is people feel they are entitled to it if they have paid in.
If you want to make big changes to the terms etc, then you have to be wise about it. Look at the WASPI stuff for example.
If the Gov suddenly said it was to be means tested, there would be riots.