Bananiot wrote:Granted, I am no economist, GR, but last time I looked, neither are you! Let's then look at your claim, from the layman's point of view. You reckon that 50 000 or so old age pensioners are detrimental to our economy and I fail to understand why. They spend their money here, they are regularly visited by their offspring and their grand children and they constitute the most unnoticed part of our society. I know that many of them contribute large sums of money to various charities through different activities they undertake. Tell us GR, how in heaven are these people dangerous?
Just one more thing to get the record straight. If it werent for the British tourists that kept flocking to the island after 1974, our economy would have been severely affected and certainly, would have a much rougher path to recovery.
Bananiot just to put the record straight about health costs for expats those that are recieving the UK basic state pension getting free medical is not true as all the costs they encur are met by the UK NHS at all levels perscriptions included, in fact the hospital here in Cyprus recieves 2000 pounds when each pensioner just registers for the first time.
This does not apply to any under pension age, they have to either be in full time work for at least two years paying into Cyprus,s social scheme or much more likely they will have a private insurance, which if you have an underlying health problem will not cover you entirely. Once you leave the NHS in the UK they will not allow you to be treated there unless you return full time, but they do pay within the reciprical agreement for your treatment in Cyprus. So those that do come to live here under pension age do not do so lightly unlike the UK were treatment is given free after six months residency.
Actually I have found the treatment here far superior. Much more time and care given imo.
I am not one yet (pensioner) and probably won,t be living in Cyprus when I do get to pension age BUT I know a few who are are ex this and that doctors, policeman, teachers, engineers etc and one nuclear physicist
in my village all bring their private and works pensions to Cyprus and spend it, the biggest tax we all pay here is VAT.