Mandatory Review for New Zealand Superannuation with a grandparented non-qualified partner included

Client getting New Zealand Superannuation with a grandparented non-qualified partner included in the benefit have a Mandatory Review for their New Zealand Superannuation. Both the client and partner's circumstances are included in the review.

MSD must review the client's New Zealand Superannuation within 52 weeks from when the client's last Mandatory Review was completed.

Clients must respond to the Mandatory Review before their review date, or their payments will suspend.

The purpose of a Mandatory Review for New Zealand Superannuation is to:

• check for any changes to a client's circumstances and
• review the rate of New Zealand Superannuation payable

Note clients who do not have a grandparented non-qualified partner included in their benefit do not have a Mandatory Review for their New Zealand Superannuation.

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

Clients who are getting New Zealand Superannuation with a grandparented non-qualified partner included will have a Mandatory Review for Accommodation Supplement and Disability Allowance at the same time as their Mandatory Review for New Zealand Superannuation.

For New Zealand Superannuation clients who only have a Mandatory Review for Accommodation Supplement or Disability Allowance, different rules apply.

Clients are notified at least 20 working days before their Mandatory Review date, unless their Accommodation Supplement is suspended due to the client being temporarily overseas or in prison.

Note if a client's New Zealand Superannuation is suspended when the Mandatory Review notice is sent, they are not required to respond to their Mandatory Review until their New Zealand Superannuation is to be resumed.

To respond to the Mandatory Review, the client must:

• confirm or provide current information about their circumstances and
• provide further information to MSD if requested

Clients must confirm the information MSD holds is correct or provide any new information before their review date.

When a client has responded to the Mandatory Review and MSD has determined they continue to qualify for New Zealand Superannuation, their next review date is 52 weeks from the date their Mandatory Review was completed.

When a client does not respond to the Mandatory Review before their review date, the New Zealand Superannuation (with a grandparented non-qualified partner included) will suspend.

If the client does not respond to the Mandatory Review to confirm their circumstances within 2 years after their payments have suspended, their benefit will be cancelled.

A client can still do their Mandatory Review during those 2 years. However, once the benefit has cancelled, the client will need to apply for New Zealand Superannuation if they still want this assistance.

A client's New Zealand Superannuation cannot be resumed before they have responded to their Mandatory Review during the 2-year suspension period.

If a client's New Zealand Superannuation (with a grandparented non-qualified partner included) suspends as a result of the client not responding to their Mandatory Review, all of their assistance will also suspend, except for the following payments:

• Child Disability Allowance
• Orphan's Benefit
• Unsupported Child's Benefit
• Childcare Subsidy
• OSCAR (Out of School Care and Recreational Subsidy)
• Guaranteed Childcare Assistance Payment

The Mandatory Review is completed when MSD makes a decision about whether the client continues to qualify for New Zealand Superannuation (with a grandparented non-qualified partner included) and the rate of benefit payable.

MSD will either:

• continue paying the benefit at the existing rate
• adjust the rate of benefit so the client is getting the correct rate
• suspend the benefit if there is no rate payable for a period (e.g., client has variable income)
• cancel the benefit if the client no longer qualifies