British state pension of more than half a million people around the world is frozen without inflation uprating. This means that these pensioners could miss out on up to 50% of their rightful pension.
The latest figures were revealed by Government welfare minister Lord Freud in an answer to a written question from Lib Dem peer Lord Jones.
Countries where people are receiving frozen pensions include: Nigeria (3,360 people); Trinidad and Tobago (1,590); Grenada (1,450); St Lucia (1,280); Dominica (980); and Ghana (960). There are over 100 countries in which people are living with frozen pensions.
Pressure is growing on the government to stop the practice of freezing pensions for those who retire outside of the EU and the USA.
At the end of 2011 it was revealed that a government working group on the issue had been set up.
This comes at the same time as a government e-petition (bit.ly/BritPensions) on the issue has reached over 17,000 signatures – making it one of most popular petitions in the country.
A Parliamentary motion (Early Day Motion) calling on the government to end the unfair freezing of pensions passing 100 signatures has further added to the momentum to finally get justice for British pensioners everywhere.
The MP to take it over the 100 mark was the veteran Liberal Democrat and former leader of the party Sir Menzies Campbell. So far 51 Labour MPs, 24 Liberal Democrat MPs and 11 Conservative MPs have backed the motion.
Commenting, Tony Bockman, Chair of the International Consortium of British Pensioners said: “These latest figures show the shocking scale of the frozen pensions scandal. Over half a million people who have worked hard and contributed to the life and health of Britain are being discriminated against because of where they have chosen to retire.”
A poll by International Consortium of British Pensioners has revealed that half of 45-64 year olds would consider moving abroad. However, 62% of them do not know that their pensions will be frozen if they move to one of the 120 affected countries worldwide.
“The injustice of frozen pensions grows every year as more people are affected and their pensions lose more value. It’s time for the government to take real steps towards unfreezing pensions, ” Mr. Bockman said.
