Grandparenting non-qualified partner couples
From 9 November 2020, clients who qualify for New Zealand Superannuation in their own right cannot include their non-qualified partner in their payments. A non-qualified partner can apply for a main benefit in their own right.
To be eligible for the grandparented rate, the client must have chosen to include their non-qualified partner before 9 November 2020 and be entitled to this rate from a date before 9 November 2020.
All existing non-qualified partners that were current, suspended or expired on 8 November 2020 were grandparented from 9 November 2020.
Note couples getting the non-qualified partner rate who temporarily left New Zealand before 26 March 2020 and were not able to return to New Zealand before 9 November 2020 will not be grandparented. Assistance during their absence is covered by the New Zealanders Stranded Overseas Support Programme. Couples who left New Zealand after 26 March 2020 have their absence treated under the usual 26 week absence rules and must be entitled to payment as at 8 November 2020 to be grandparented.
Client included non-qualified partner at New Zealand Superannuation application
When a person applied for New Zealand Superannuation and included their non-qualified partner in their payments at the same time, the non-qualified partner rate is grandparented if:
- the client was entitled to get New Zealand Superannuation in their own right before 9 November 2020 and
- they applied for the non-qualified rate before 9 November 2020 and
- they were entitled to the non-qualified rate before 9 November 2020
For more information see:
- When grandparenting ends
- New Zealanders Stranded Overseas Support Programme
Legislation
- Commencement date Schedule 1AA, Part 3, clause 4 New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Act 2001
- Grandparenting of non-qualified rate (non-standard rate) Schedule 1AA, Part 3, clause 7(1)(a) and (b) New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Act 2001
- Treatment of elections Schedule 1AA, Part 3, clause 8 New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Act 2001
- When other elections not processed before commencement date take effect Schedule 1AA, Part 3, clause 10 New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Act 2001
- When elections included in pending applications take effect Schedule 1AA, Part 3, clause 9 New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Act 2001
