Eligibility and deduction of overseas pensions
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Overseas pensions and benefits are benefits, pensions and periodical allowances paid under a programme that:
- pays for benefits, pensions and periodical allowances for similar purposes as those paid in New Zealand, e.g. old age/retirement, survivor's and disability pensions; and
- is administered by, or on behalf of, an overseas government.
You and your spouse/partner are legally obliged to apply for any overseas benefit or pension to which you may be entitled if you want to receive New Zealand benefits and pensions.
Eligibility for overseas benefits and pensions
If you or your spouse/partner apply for, and receive, an overseas benefit or pension it may be deducted from your New Zealand benefit or pension.
In your New Zealand benefit or pension application form you must advise us of any:
- time you and your spouse/partner have spent living overseas
- overseas pension either of you can claim or receive.
The rules for getting overseas pensions are different for each country. Some countries have social security agreements with New Zealand which:
- may make it easier for you to get an overseas pension from that country
- make it easier for you to get a benefit or pension from New Zealand
- allow you to get benefits or pensions from both countries.
An agreement may allow you to count the time you've spent living in that country towards getting a benefit or pension in New Zealand.
If you or your spouse/partner have lived overseas and are unsure about eligibility contact us.
Deduction of overseas pensions
Deduction of overseas benefits or pensions ensures that people living in New Zealand get an equitable amount of state retirement pension.
If you are eligible to receive both an overseas benefit or pension and a New Zealand benefit or pension, the amount of the overseas benefit or pension is deducted from the amount of New Zealand benefit or pension you can receive on a dollar for dollar basis.
Overseas benefits or pensions funded by voluntary contributions are deductable under section 70 of the Social Security Act. Currently all voluntary benefits or pensions have been deferred for deduction until further notice.
More information about Direct Deductions here
If you or your spouse/partner are unsure about eligibility contact us.
What overseas benefits or pensions are deducted from New Zealand benefit or pension payments?
The majority of overseas benefits and pensions paid into New Zealand are from Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Netherlands. New Zealand also has social security agreements with these countries. More information can be found by clicking on the following links:
In most cases any overseas benefit or pension received from our Agreement countries are deductible under section 70 of the Social Security Act 1964.
Overseas benefits or pensions received from a country with which New Zealand does not have a social security agreement may be deducted from your New Zealand benefit or pension. However these will be assessed on a case by case basis.
For more information on the deduction of benefits and pensions from a country with which New Zealand does not have a social security agreement contact Senior Services.
Spouse/partner obligations and overseas pensions
If your spouse/partner receives and overseas benefit or pension it may be deducted from your New Zealand benefit or pension. How the overseas pension will be deducted depends on:
- whether both of you are receiving a New Zealand benefit or pension in your own right; or
- if you are receiving a married rate of New Zealand benefit or pension for a spouse/partner who does not qualify in their own right
Review and changes in circumstances
Your New Zealand benefit and pension may be reviewed at any time. This is to ensure that the combined amount you receive from your New Zealand benefit or pension and overseas benefit or pension is the same as you would receive if the New Zealand benefit and pension was your only pension source. This applies to individuals and couples. You can ask for a review if you do not agree with any decision we make.
To ensure you receive all you are entitled to you must keep us up to date with your circumstances. If there are changes to you or your spouse/partner's living situation, personal details, overseas benefit or pension amount or you go overseas, you need to contact us.
For more information on the deduction of non-agreement country benefits and pensions contact Senior Services.
Leaving New Zealand and taking your overseas entitlement
