Couples getting overseas pensions

From 9 November 2020, the process for deducting an overseas pension changed for couples where either one of them, or both get an overseas pension depending on the benefit or pension they get.

If a client or partner get an overseas pension, that pension cannot reduce the amount of their partner’s rate of New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran’s Pension including Winter Energy Payment.

The changes apply in the following client situations:

• couples where both clients qualify for New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension in their own right, and either the client or their partner has an overseas pension which they get in excess
• New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension client whose partner does not get any benefit and, either client has an overseas pension which they get in excess
• New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension client whose partner gets a main benefit and, either client has an overseas pension which they get in excess

There is no change to the way overseas pensions are deducted for the following client situations:

• couples both qualified for New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension in their own right but whose overseas pensions do not result in an excess
• single clients getting New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension
• couples getting a main benefit
• grandparented non-qualified partner rates of New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran's Pension