Refusal to apply

Advise International Services if a client refuses to apply for a Maltese pension. International Services will then contact the client to explain the reasons why they must apply.

International Services may suspend the New Zealand benefit or pension if the client does not agree to requests to apply for a Maltese pension.

International Services will talk to clients about the reasons why they must apply, which will include the following factors:

• clients are required by legislation to apply for any benefit they may be entitled to in Malta if they are entitled to a New Zealand benefit or pension
• it is their right if they have periods of contributions to the Maltese social security scheme
• a New Zealand benefit is reduced by the amount a client is entitled to receive from Malta
• if a client leaves New Zealand for more than 26 weeks their New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension may stop, but payment of a Maltese pension will continue and is not affected by the 26 week rule
• if a client is single and their New Zealand benefit or pension is reduced to the hospital rate. If the rate of any Maltese pension is more than the hospital rate, the New Zealand benefit or pension will be suspended but the Maltese pension will continue to be paid

Note that Veteran's Pension is not reduced if the client is in hospital for more than 13 weeks.