Death of a client with a partner or child

New Zealand Superannuation can continue to be paid for 28 days after the death of a client when there is a surviving partner or child, and the surviving partner (including a grandparented non-qualified partner) is not entitled to a survivor's grant from ACC.

New Zealand Superannuation can also continue to be paid for 28 days following the death of a single client who is a:

• liable person and paying Child Support payments or
• caregiver getting Unsupported Child's Benefit or Orphan's Benefit

Continuing payments after the date of death is known as terminal benefit.

When New Zealand Superannuation is being paid to a couple, both the deceased person and the surviving partner's payment continues to be paid.

The total amount, including the surviving partner's portion, plus any on-going extra help continues for 28 days.

Sometimes the surviving person, or the caregiver of the child would get more money (based on their new circumstances) on:

• a new main benefit or
• their existing benefit or New Zealand Superannuation at a higher rate

instead of getting their portion of their current assistance for 28 days.

If the surviving person’s New Zealand Superannuation or main benefit is reviewed and they qualify for a higher rate, they may be granted the new rate instead of terminal benefit from the day after a client's death.

If the deceased person qualified for terminal benefit, their portion will continue to be paid.

If the surviving person's New Zealand Superannuation or main benefit is reviewed and they qualify for a higher rate, their rate increases from the day after their partner's death. MSD pays this instead of their portion of the terminal benefit if they get more money.

If the deceased person qualified for terminal benefit, their portion will continue to be paid.

The effect the client's death has on the surviving partner's payments will depend on whether the surviving partner:

• qualifies in their own right for New Zealand Superannuation or
• is included in New Zealand Superannuation as a grandparented non-qualified partner or gets a main benefit 

If the surviving partner is a grandparented non-qualified partner they will need to apply for a main benefit as they will not qualify for the grandparented non-qualified rate of New Zealand Superannuation.

If the surviving partner gets a main benefit the rate and type of benefit should be reviewed to check they are getting the correct benefit and rate of payment.

When the death of the person was the result of an accident, entitlement to a survivor's grant from ACC needs to be decided before terminal benefit can be paid

If the surviving person or child is entitled to a survivor's grant from ACC there is no entitlement to terminal benefit.

If the New Zealand Superannuation payments have continued after the date of death, an overpayment is established and the debt should be recovered from the estate.