Temporary absence

When a client is going to be temporarily overseas (ie they are still ordinarily resident in New Zealand) there are a number of options available to the client depending on how long they will be overseas.

You should also advise the client that while payment can continue for up to 26 weeks, provided they return to New Zealand within 30 weeks, they must remain ordinarily resident in New Zealand. In addition, if the client:

• leaves New Zealand temporarily, eg on holiday, but does not return to New Zealand and decides to live permanently overseas
• is simply returning to New Zealand every 26 weeks in order to remain qualified for New Zealand Superannuation but is no longer ordinarily resident in New Zealand and
• if they decide to remain overseas for longer than 30 weeks

an overpayment will be established.

As payments can continue for up to 26 weeks, provided the client returns to New Zealand within 30 weeks, you should advise a client intending to be overseas for more than 26 weeks that if they are staying in a country that:

• has a Reciprocal agreement with New Zealand they may qualify for a benefit or pension in that country or
• New Zealand does not have a Reciprocal agreement with, they may be able to receive part of their Veterans Pension payments

Note couples getting the grandparented non-qualified rate of Veteran's Pension will lose their grandparenting if the qualified client is not entitled to payment during their absence or any part of the absence.