Exceptions when a client declares no change in circumstances for Mandatory Review

When a client responds to their Mandatory Review and confirms they have no change in circumstances, MSD must generally continue their New Zealand Superannuation (with a grandparented non-qualified partner included) at the same rate.

However, there are some exceptions when MSD can request further information from the client to determine if they continue to qualify for New Zealand Superannuation (with a grandparented non-qualified partner included) or that the rate of payment is correct.

Exceptions include when, at the time the client responds to their Mandatory Review, they:

• have been getting Disability Allowance and have had no change in their disability related costs for three consecutive years or
• have been getting Accommodation Supplement and have had no change in their accommodation costs for three consecutive years or
• have had no change to their confirmed income amount for three consecutive years

If a client has one or more of these exceptions, MSD must consider if further information is required from the client before deciding the outcome of the Mandatory Review.

The decision to request further information from the client should be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Consider additional factors such as:

• the type of costs the client has (e.g. food, transport, power, and accommodation costs vary with economic conditions and would be unlikely to have no change over an extended period)
• when the client last provided verification of their costs (if it was required e.g. new or increased disability related costs or home ownership costs)
• other resources available to meet their costs (e.g. when the client's income has not changed over an extended period)

If further information is needed to determine if the client continues to qualify for New Zealand Superannuation (with a grandparented non-qualified partner included) or that the rate of payment is correct, MSD must give a reasonable timeframe for the client to provide it.

The date the client is given to provide the information by becomes the client's new deadline to respond to the Mandatory Review. If the client does not provide the information that was asked for, MSD must suspend the New Zealand Superannuation from the new deadline date.

If the client provides the information that was asked for and MSD determines the client continues to qualify for New Zealand Superannuation with a grandparented non-qualified partner included (including the rate payable), the future Mandatory Review date is set 52 weeks from the date MSD completed the review.

In some situations, there may be good reason for the client having no change in their costs or income, and further information may not be needed for MSD to determine whether they continue to qualify for New Zealand Superannuation (with a grandparented non-qualified partner included). For example, the client may have provided recent evidence of their costs or income, or they may have recently discussed their circumstances with MSD.

If no further information is needed for MSD to determine the client continues to qualify for New Zealand Superannuation (with a grandparented non-qualified partner included) including the rate payable, the future Mandatory Review date is set 52 weeks from the date MSD completed the review.

Example

Riley is getting New Zealand Superannuation (with a grandparented non-qualified partner included) and his wife Susan works 10 hours a week as a caregiver with a local employer. Susan is paid more than the minimum wage in this role in recognition of her skills and experience.

Riley's Mandatory Review for New Zealand Superannuation (with a grandparented non-qualified partner included) is due on 12 February 2027 and he responds on 10 February 2027 to confirm they have had no change in their circumstances. This includes no change in Susan's income (which has remained unchanged since she moved into her current role in 2024).

As Riley has been getting New Zealand Superannuation (with a grandparented non-qualified partner included) and declared no change in their income for three consecutive years at the time the mandatory review is returned, MSD must consider whether further information is required before completing the Mandatory Review.

MSD considers their circumstances and notes that Riley recently contacted MSD for a food grant and as part of that conversation, MSD confirmed he has no income and Susan's income hadn't changed.

MSD determines that no further information is required to determine that Riley continues to qualify for New Zealand Superannuation (with a grandparented non-qualified partner included). His New Zealand Superannuation continues at the same rate, and his next review date is set for 52 weeks in the future (9 February 2028).