UK Govt advice for UK nationals living in the EU: benefits and pensions in a ‘no deal’ scenario

Government advice issued this afternoon to UK nationals living in the EU...

I have a question about the following statement included:
"we are committed to uprate [state pensions paid] across the EU in 2019 to 2020. We would wish to continue uprating pensions beyond that but would take decisions in light of whether, as we would hope and expect, reciprocal arrangements with the EU are in place."

WHY? These are contributory benefits paid directly to UK citizens by the UK - not via any EU state. So why does it make any difference to them being uprated annually, whether or not an EU country reciprocates for its own citizens? And to say 'reciprocal arrangements with the EU' is surely wrong. The 'reciprocal arrangements' will be with each individual EU state, not with the EU if we are no longer a member of it.

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I am a UK national living in the EU. Will I still get my State Pension?
Yes.

Will UK nationals continue to get their State Pension uprated under no deal?
The UK leaving the EU will not affect entitlement to continue receiving the UK State Pension if you live in the EU, and we are committed to uprate across the EU in 2019 to 2020. We would wish to continue uprating pensions beyond that but would take decisions in light of whether, as we would hope and expect, reciprocal arrangements with the EU are in place.

Will UK nationals continue to get their benefits transferred to EU countries including child benefit and disability benefit?
Yes.

Will I still be eligible for my in-country benefits paid by the host country?
In the unlikely event the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the UK will call on the EU and its member countries to continue their commitments to EU citizens and protect the rights of UK nationals living in EU countries. We want UK nationals to be able to stay in the EU countries that they live in when the UK leaves the EU, and for their rights to employment, healthcare, education, benefits and services to be protected.

I live in the EEA, and have an annuity or personal pension from a UK-based firm. Will I still be able to get payments from my annuity or personal pension?
If you live in the EEA and have an annuity or personal pension with a UK-based firm, your firm should have made plans to make sure you can still get payments from your annuity or personal pension, even if the UK leaves the EU without a deal. If your firm needs to make any changes to your annuity or personal pension or the way it provides it, your firm should contact you. If you have any concerns about whether you might be affected you should contact your firm.

I am a UK citizen living in the EU, will I still be able to receive my UK private occupational pension?

There is nothing in UK private occupational pensions legislation that prevents occupational pension schemes from making pension payments overseas. We do not expect that this will change as a result of the UK withdrawing from the EU.

(Published 18 December 2018, updated 20 December 2018)

Source:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-nationals-in-the-eu-benefits-and-pensions-in-a-no-deal-scenario?