Expats lose out on £26,000 in state pension over 15 years

More than 450,000 pensioners who retire abroad have their state pension “frozen” when they leave the UK. We explain how the policy works and which countries are affected

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UK pensioners living abroad miss out on almost £26,000 in state pension income over 15 years due to frozen payments, according to new analysis.

While British retirees that move abroad still receive a UK state pension, only some of them benefit from the triple lock, as it depends which country they reside in. The triple lock uprates the state pension each year in line with earnings, inflation or 2.5%, whichever is higher.

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Ruth Emery
Contributing editor

Ruth is an award-winning financial journalist with more than 15 years' experience of working on national newspapers, websites and specialist magazines.

She is passionate about helping people feel more confident about their finances. She was previously editor of Times Money Mentor, and prior to that was deputy Money editor at The Sunday Times. 

A multi-award winning journalist, Ruth started her career on a pensions magazine at the FT Group, and has also worked at Money Observer and Money Advice Service. 

Outside of work, she is a mum to two young children, while also serving as a magistrate and an NHS volunteer.