Terminal benefit payments to surviving partner or person caring for the child or children
Terminal benefit is paid for 28 days when a client dies and has a surviving partner or children. The surviving partner could be a grandparented non-qualified partner or getting a main benefit.
Surviving partner
When New Zealand Superannuation is being paid to a couple, both the deceased person and the surviving person's portion of New Zealand Superannuation is paid. Payment is the total New Zealand Superannuation payment as well as any ongoing extra help.
The deceased person's portion of terminal benefit is paid to their bank account.
A surviving person can apply to have the deceased person's portion of terminal benefit paid to them. Where an application is received, terminal benefit (or remaining unpaid balance) can be paid to that applicant.
The surviving partner's New Zealand Superannuation or main benefit should be reviewed to determine the best option financially for the person.
Surviving children
When the deceased client has no surviving partner but has surviving children, the payment can be made to the person caring for the deceased client's children.
When an application is received, the remaining unpaid balance of terminal benefit can be paid to the carer.
Mandatory Reviews
There are no Mandatory Reviews when a client with a non-qualifying partner included in their New Zealand Superannuation has died.
Child turns 18
A child will not be excluded from the parent or caregiver's New Zealand Superannuation when the child turns 18 during the 28-day continuation of payment.
For more information see:
Legislation
- Other specified provisions not limited section 310M Social Security Act 2018
- After death of beneficiary section 326 Social Security Act 2018
- Required manner of payment: payment on death of beneficiary section 346 Social Security Act 2018
- Validation of certain payments made after death of beneficiary clause 22 schedule 32, Social Security Act 1964 (as saved by clause 64 schedule 1, Social Security Act 2018)
- exception (definition) section 103A Social Security Act 2018
