Clients getting Korean benefits in New Zealand

Clients getting payments from Korea need to tell us the details of any payments they are getting to determine the effect they will have on the client's New Zealand benefit or pension.

If they do not provide this information any New Zealand benefit or pension they are getting may be suspended.

It is important that information is provided as quickly as possible, so the client's New Zealand benefit or pension payments can be assessed correctly. This will also reduce the possibility of the clients getting a debt.

The following information needs to be provided by the client and forwarded to International Services:

• rate of payment in Korean Won and whether it includes any payments for the client's partner and any dependent children
• whether tax has been deducted from the payment in Korea before being sent - only required for the Korean old age benefit
• reason for the payment (e.g. retirement, disability etc)
• confirm whether any part of the benefit is made up from periods of voluntary Korean contributions (this may not apply and can be difficult to identify)
• the name of the organisation or authority that is making the payment - this is usually the Competent institution or their paying agency
• the date the payments started from and any changes in the rate of payment from the date the New Zealand payment is or was granted

When MSD matches a client's information with information from Korea, MSD must send a written notice of adverse action to the client.

A notice of adverse action is only required upon receipt of the first information match.

For more information contact International Services.