Temporary return to New Zealand

When a client is getting New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension paid under General Portability, and they are only returning to New Zealand temporarily, their payments will can continue at the overseas rate as the client has not returned to New Zealand permanently.

For example, if the client has been getting General Portability payments while travelling for more than 26 weeks overseas and travels back to New Zealand temporarily to attend an event or visit a person, their payments should continue at the same rate.

If the client is in New Zealand, International Services will need to ensure that the client is getting the correct New Zealand Superannuation entitlement.

Note a client returning to New Zealand temporarily is entitled to a Community Services Card. Someone who is not living in New Zealand permanently is not entitled to a SuperGold Card.

Clients getting New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension paid under General Portability must still respond to the Mandatory Review before their review date.

Temporary absence from the overseas country they live in (e.g. personal travel) does not pause or defer the Mandatory Review.

Clients must contact MSD before their review date to talk about their situation if they are unable to respond to their review or if they need more time to do it.

There is no Mandatory Review for New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension paid under General Portability when a client is temporarily in New Zealand and they:

• have been hospitalised for more than 13 weeks in New Zealand or
• are in residential disability care or rest home care in New Zealand

The clients must let MSD know before their review date to discuss their circumstances.

If the client notifies MSD they are in one of these situations, the client is not required to respond to the Mandatory Review, and the review date is reset to 52 weeks in the future from their current review date. However, MSD may still review New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension paid under General Portability at any time to check if the client still meets the qualifications and is getting the correct rate of payment.