UK Pensioner Campaigns for Change After Losing £50,000 to ‘Frozen’ Pensions

State pensioner and war veteran Anne Puckridge claims to have lost over £50,000 as a result of the UK government's state pension “freeze” rule. Due to this policy, her pension has remained fixed at £72.50 per week since she immigrated to Canada in 2001, well below the full £169.50 to which people living in the UK are entitled.

In addition, she is among more than 500,000 pensioners worldwide impacted by this rule, which applies to retirees in countries without a reciprocal pension uprating agreement, such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In contrast, pensioners residing in nations like the United States or EU member.

The Harsh Impact of a Frozen Pension on Pensioners' Daily Life

The financial impact of the frozen pension has been devastating for Ms. Puckridge, forcing her to lead a life of austerity. She describes the profound constraints:

• Basic living costs: Unable to afford new items, Ms. Puckridge relies on thrift stores for essential purchases.
• Social isolation: Financial pressures have curtailed social and recreational activities, turning events like Christmas into painful reminders of her restricted circumstances.
• Emotional toll: She describes the situation as a betrayal by her country, stating, “We feel our country has cruelly abandoned us.”

The End Frozen Pensions campaign group, which advocates for affected pensioners, has called the policy “cruel and unnecessary,” emphasizing the unfairness of penalizing individuals based on their place of residence.

“I can’t remember when I bought anything new, and I have to limit even essential purchases to thrift and similar stores. Social activity and entertainment are mainly only memories, and festive seasons such as the approaching Christmas or birthdays are embarrassing rather than exciting events.” Ms. Puckridge

Ms. Puckridge, who will soon celebrate her 100th birthday, is embarking on a 4,400-mile journey from Canada to the UK. She intends to urge the government to reconsider the policy. She explains:
“I will be 100 years old in a few weeks’ time, and the decision to take the journey back to the UK at this stage of my life is not one I have taken lightly … We feel our country has cruelly abandoned us.”

However, her visit has gained political attention, with 32 UK parliamentarians signing a pledge to encourage the Prime Minister to meet with her during her December trip.

DWP Defends Longstanding Frozen Pension Policy

A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) responded to the criticism:
“We understand people move abroad for many reasons, and we provide clear information on how this can impact their finances in retirement, with the policy on the uprating of the UK state pension for recipients living overseas a longstanding one.”

Frozen Pension Rule Leaves UK Retirees in Commonwealth Countries at a Financial Disadvantage

The frozen pension rule affects over half a million UK pensioners, primarily in Commonwealth countries, creating significant financial disparities based on where individuals choose to retire.

Ms. Puckridge’s case shows the urgent need to address what many view as an outdated and unfair policy that continues to impact British pensioners living abroad.