Clients receiving Maltese pensions in New Zealand

A client is required to provide information regarding the rate of any Maltese pension that they are receiving. If they do not comply any New Zealand benefit or pension they may already receive may be refused or suspended.

When a client is receiving payments from Malta you will need to find out the details of the payment in order to determine the effect it will have on the client's New Zealand benefit or pension.

It is important that the information is obtained as quickly as possible to enable the client's New Zealand benefit or pension entitlement to be assessed correctly. This will also minimise any potential debt that could occur.

The following information needs to be obtained and forwarded to International Services:

• rate of payment in Euro and whether it includes any amount in respect of the client's partner and any dependent children
• whether the rate of payment is subject to tax in Malta and if so whether tax has been deducted from the payment
• reason for the grant (eg retirement)
• confirm whether any part of the pension is made up from periods of voluntary Maltese contributions (this may not apply and can be difficult to identify)
• if the client has made voluntary contributions ask how long they made voluntary contributions for (years)
• the name of the organisation or authority that is making the payment - this is usually the Competent institution or Liaison Agency
• the date the payment was granted from

For more information contact International Services or see:

• Direct deductions