Move to another country

When a client intends to live in a country other than New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland for 26 weeks or more, this can affect their entitlement to a New Zealand benefit or pension.

The client may still be entitled to the New Zealand benefit or pension if:

• they are moving to a country, other than United Kingdom or Australia, which has an agreement with New Zealand

Payment of the New Zealand benefit or pension should stop from the payday after the client's departure from Ireland until the client can test their entitlement to a New Zealand benefit or pension in the country that they have moved to.

New Zealand Superannuation or Veterans Pension cannot be paid to a client who leaves Ireland to live in a country that does not have an agreement with New Zealand as the client needs to be ordinarily resident and present in New Zealand at the date they apply for payment overseas.

New Zealand benefits or pensions are not payable in the United Kingdom.

Example

A client in receipt of New Zealand Superannuation with 12 months New Zealand residence has used their Irish period of Insurance to meet the New Zealand Superannuation residence requirement.

The client now wants to live in Canada but has no previous Canadian residence. Although New Zealand has an agreement with Canada the client has insufficient New Zealand residence to be entitled to payment overseas.

For more information contact International Services or see:

• Reciprocal agreements
• General Portability
• Special Portability
• Return to New Zealand