New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran’s Pension client outside New Zealand for more than 26 weeks

Clients (and partners) receiving New Zealand Superannuation can be absent from New Zealand and continue to receive payment for up to 26 weeks. 

Where a client (and partners) receiving New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran’s Pension are absent from New Zealand between 26 and 30 weeks, the client is entitled to receive their New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran’s Pension for the first 26 weeks. They can also receive any Winter Energy Payment they were entitled to while they were overseas for the first 28 days. Payments for New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran’s Pension should not continue beyond 26 weeks. 

If the client is overseas for 30 weeks or more there is no qualification from when the client left New Zealand, unless the client's return to New Zealand is delayed due to circumstances beyond the client's control, that could not have been foreseen before departure. This includes any Winter Energy Payment that had been paid as a client will not be entitled to any Winter Energy Payment if a qualifying benefit is not paid.