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Reciprocal Canada : Contents

Clients entitled to Canadian pensions

Under the Social Security Act 2018 a client must apply for any pension that they may be entitled to from Canada if they are applying for a New Zealand benefit or pension.

If a client has Canadian creditable periods they will need to complete an application for a Canadian pension. Contact International Services to have an application pack sent to the client.

When the client completes the application it is important that you check the following details before forwarding it to International Services:

  • all questions on the form have been answered
  • all supporting documentation is attached (these should be sighted, photocopied, and authorised as true copies)
  • the application form, bank authority form and both sides of the 'Authority to release information and adjust Canadian arrears' form are signed and dated

If the client refuses to apply for any Canadian pension to which they may be entitled you should contact International Services.

For more information see:

Legislation

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The contact details for International Services are:

From New Zealand 0800 777 227 (free calling within New Zealand only)

From Australia 1800 150 479

From other countries +64 4 978 1180

Email international_services@msd.govt.nz

Postal

International Services
Ministry of Social Development
PO Box 27178
Wellington 6141
New Zealand

Fax 04 918 0159

Note when calling from overseas replace the '+' with the international direct dial prefix for the country you are in.

'Canadian creditable period' means a period of residence or contributions which can be used to acquire the right to a benefit under the legislation of Canada, and includes a period during which a disability pension is payable under the Canada Pension Plan.

Note that Canadian creditable periods accumulated under the Old Age Security Act which coincide with creditable periods accumulated under the Canadian Pension Plan shall only be taken into account ...