[TrentBridge]

Hello Everyone

I've been reading this forum for a while and have got some really useful info already (thanks everyone) and I thought I would say hello and ask my first (of many) questions :)

We are a family of four (plus dog) thinking of stepping onto the roller coaster!! OH and I are mid 40's and have 2 chaps. We couldn't come to NZ (if we are allowed) until Jul 09 when one of our offspring has done GCSE's and the other A levels. As we are 'getting on a bit' I wondered if there are any others who have taken the leap at this stage (wish we had done it years ago)!!

Bit of a dry question I know but we are worried about pensions. I've found that we can still receive UK state pension when (and if) we get to retirement but the payments are not index linked which means we would in effect have a pay cut each year. The other thing is occupational pensions. We are both in NHS. Has anyone transferred over a pension to NZ. I've tried getting info from NHS but they haven't got back to me yet. :(

Any info, experience, advice greatfully received.

S

[Asli&Mark]

Hello TrentBridge

Welcome to the forum:clap . You can find some info about the pensions from the link below
http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=16724&highlight=pension

[JandM]

Hello.:)

[peebles16]

Hello and welcome from us too:D
OH is in his late-ish forties and it didn't stop us - so far so good.. We've left his NHS pension to see what our options are cos kiwi saver thing here is fairly new but obviously we will have to review it future.

All the best with the big rollercoaster ride
Karenx

[shakyle2906]

Hi

Cant help with NHS pensions unfortunately, but just wanted to say hi and welcome to the forum!

Good luck with all your plans.

Sharon

[dusk]

hello :)

mid 40's makes you spring chickens, can't help with the pension stuff as that's still on our list of things to sort out *quakes*

[Kiwi-In-Texas]

Hello and welcome.

[Sam B]

I'm guessing you must live near Trent Bridge, especially now I've read your comments about Notts Forest on another thread ... I was born and lived most of my life in West Bridgford, Wilford Lane, before I escaped to Cornwall, and the NZ. So belated welcome to the forum anyway!

[pinkpiggy]

Welcome to the forum. :)

[Jennispink]

Hello

You can transfer your NHS pension. It basically gets frozen when you leave and then you have to apply to NZ pension scheme and ask them to transfer your funds in. As far as I understand it NZ inland revenue have to approve the new pension scheme as suitable before that can happen but I've been told by NHS pensions that so long as you choice a good provider in NZ all should be fine.

Basically you have to wait til you get there but yes it can be done.

Welcome to the rollercoaster, hold on tight and enjoy the ride!:clap Most of all, don't look down:D

[benandclare]

Clare has a NHS pension of some 28 years standing and thats staying in UK, we'll take our chances with the exchange rate when we retire but thats a while away yet :nice1 :nice1
I've left 2 personal pensions there and we've both opted for Kiwisaver.

[TrentBridge]

I'm guessing you must live near Trent Bridge, especially now I've read your comments about Notts Forest on another thread ... I was born and lived most of my life in West Bridgford, Wilford Lane, before I escaped to Cornwall, and the NZ. So belated welcome to the forum anyway!

Yep, know Wilford Lane quite well!

Thanks for the welcome folks.:D

S