Is there life after aperture block failure?

peterpainter wrote:

I do have Irish ancestors - but not the required paperwork. To get the correct evidence (research on family stuff) requires an open-ended investigation by an 'expert' (and therefore a healthy bank balance) which I'm not prepared to get involved in. However, an Irish passport does not really solve the main problems, it merely helps with freedom of movement and the right to remain in the country. Freedom of movement doesn't worry me because I am not interested in roaming around Europe, and the right to stay here will probably granted because my income for the last 5 years is sufficient.

Being a pensioner, a lot of my (and my wife's) income depends on my UK state pension, the updating of which there is not guaranteed unless the UK either stays in the EU or leaves with a negotiated deal. The current Prime Minister seems hell-bent on leaving with no negotiated deal. This lack of deal, or not staying in the EU, also means that the reciprocal agreement on healthcare may collapse, and although there is some sort of 'backstop' things are not clear. Also, the value of my pensions is very much impacted by the health of the £Sterling, which is looking more and more feeble. The main issue, in reality, is what happens to my wife if I drop dead and pensions / healthcare become a serious issue.

Brutal. I'm very sorry, Pete. Those are too many issues for one person to have to contend with at once.

Thank you, though, for the perspective. I'm sure there must be hundreds, even thousands of expats living outside of the UK, each of whom has a small portfolio of nightmares these days.