Absence from New Zealand

Clients getting New Zealand Superannuation in their own right can be absent from New Zealand and keep getting their payments for up to 26 weeks.

If a client is overseas for more than 30 weeks, they do not qualify for New Zealand Superannuation from when they left New Zealand.

However, they may qualify for the payments they got for the first 26 weeks if the client's return to New Zealand is delayed due to circumstances beyond the client's control, that could not have be expected before their departure.

For grandparented couples getting the non-qualified partner rate of New Zealand Superannuation, the grandparented rate ends if the qualified partner is absent from New Zealand, and they do not qualify for payment during the period of absence or any part of the absence from New Zealand. See: Effect of absence overseas on grandparented clients.

The client must remain ordinarily resident during any absence from New Zealand.

Clients may continue getting payment for a longer period if the reason they are overseas is for:

• Overseas medical treatment
• Humanitarian work

Clients who are absent from New Zealand can keep getting their ongoing payments for 28 days.

Extra help cannot continue for more than 28 days when the client is absent from New Zealand. See: Absence from New Zealand in the relevant Extra help.

Only clients getting New Zealand Superannuation with a grandparented non-qualified partner included have a Mandatory Review for their New Zealand Superannuation.

However, all New Zealand Superannuation clients getting Accommodation Supplement or Disability Allowance have a Mandatory Review for this assistance.

Clients who are overseas must still respond to the Mandatory Review before their review date, or the assistance being reviewed will suspend.

Temporary absence from New Zealand (e.g. personal travel or humanitarian work) does not pause or defer the Mandatory Review.

Clients must contact MSD before their review date to talk about their situation if they are unable to respond to the review or if they need more time to do it.