Full Breakdown
Gurkha Pension Struggle: The Case of Indumati Thapa
8/26/2026, 2:09:03 AM
The Personal Impact
Indumati Thapa, an 87-year-old widowed former Gurkha family member, lives in a modest two-bedroom flat in central Reading with her friend Devisara Rana. After her husband—a former Gurkha who served alongside the British in southeast Asia—died in 2020, she survived on a pension that she describes as “so small” that she must rely on the generosity of friends and roughly £100 a week in state benefits to meet rent, bills and food costs.
Background on Gurkha Pensions
Gurkhas who retired before the 1997 settlement receive pensions calculated on Nepalese living-cost standards, not on the higher costs of UK towns such as Reading. Consequently, their payments are markedly lower than those received by British Army veterans of comparable service. This disparity has long been a point of contention among the Gurkha community.
Official Government Position
The statement underscores an official pledge to address veteran welfare while acknowledging the existing pension framework.
Voices of Concern
Many Gurkhas, including local advocates, argue that the current pension levels are inadequate. “She thinks they've been let down a bit and says she would be grateful if the pension was bigger than it is as that would make her living conditions and financial situation better,” — Pratikshya, local labour councillor
Financial Snapshot
Indumati’s pension, combined with the £100 weekly benefit, barely covers essential living expenses. The limited income forces her to depend on informal support networks, highlighting the broader financial strain faced by pre-1997 Gurkha retirees in the United Kingdom.
