Move to another country

When a client intends to live in a country other than New Zealand or Jersey/Guernsey 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 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 Jersey/Guernsey 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 Jersey/Guernsey 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.

A client living in New Zealand who has totalised under the Jersey/Guernsey Agreement to qualify for New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension may be able to receive a portable rate if they move to a non-Agreement country.

A proportional portable rate may be paid if they have at any time after the age of 20 been ordinarily resident in New Zealand for more 12 months. The proportional rate will be based on the length of time they have been ordinarily resident in and resided in New Zealand after age 20

For more information contact International Services or see:

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