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Who can get overseas government benefits or pensions

It's up to the benefit or pension agency of the country paying the benefit or pension to decide who can get one.

Our International Services team can help you work out what overseas state social security benefits or pensions you may be entitled to.

Tell us if you get overseas benefits or pensions

If you get payments from us then you must let us know about any benefits or pensions you get from overseas. They may affect the payments you get from us.

Social security agreements may help

New Zealand has social security agreements with some countries that may make it easier to get a benefit or pension from that country, from New Zealand or both.

Getting both overseas and New Zealand benefits and pensions

You may be able to get benefits or pensions from us and from overseas. If you can, then you must let our International Services team know. This is because overseas benefits and pensions may reduce your New Zealand benefit or pension.

Tell us if you've lived overseas

When you apply for a New Zealand benefit or pension you must tell us if you've lived overseas. If you need help our International Services team can help you check your overseas benefit and pension entitlements. 

International Services specialise in international social security. They can help you with your application and explain your payment options.

You must apply for overseas payments

You and your spouse or partner must apply for any overseas state social security benefits or pensions that you may be able to get. If you don't, you may lose your entitlement to a New Zealand benefit or pension.

Spouse or partner entitlements

If your spouse or partner is able to get an overseas state social security benefit or pension it may affect your New Zealand benefits or pensions. The rules differ for overseas benefits or pensions depending on whether you both get a New Zealand benefit or pension in your own right, or if a non-qualified partner is included in your benefit or pension.

Our International Services team are here to help

The rules can be complex but we're here to help. Contact our International Services team and they'll explain how the rules apply to your situation and help you get your correct entitlement.

Guides for getting overseas benefits or pensions

The rules for getting benefits or pensions are different for each country.

Some countries have social security agreements with New Zealand. These agreements may make it easier for you to get a benefit or pension from that country, from New Zealand or from both. For example, an agreement may allow you to count the time you've spent living in that country towards getting a benefit or pension in New Zealand.

Countries that have a social security agreement with New Zealand

Guides for getting benefits and pensions from the countries that have a social security agreement with New Zealand.

Download in PDF format:

Download in RTF format:

Other countries

For more information about getting benefits or pensions from other countries, please contact:

Payment options for overseas pensions

There are two payment methods for getting an overseas state social security benefit or pension in New Zealand, the direct payment method and the special banking option.

You can choose to be paid using the special banking option if you get a New Zealand benefit or pension and also get a benefit or pension from one of the following countries:

• Australia
• The Netherlands
• The United Kingdom
• Ireland
• Jersey and Guernsey

Otherwise you're paid by the direct payment method.

The direct payment method

With the direct payment option:

• your overseas pension and New Zealand payments are separate
• you get your full overseas pension
• your New Zealand benefit or pension is reduced by the amount of your overseas pension (you're paid the difference)
• your payments will vary with exchange rates
• the overseas social security agency pays you according to their payment cycle
• any money you get from us is paid every one or two weeks
• you're responsible for paying tax in New Zealand on your overseas pension.

The special banking option

With the special banking option:

• your overseas benefit or pension is paid into a special bank account that only Work and Income and the bank can access
• you get a single payment which is the full amount of the New Zealand benefit or pension, regardless of how much your overseas pension is
• your payments aren't affected by  exchange rates so you know exactly how much you'll get each pay day
• we deduct tax before we pay you
• you'll need to pay tax on any payments of your overseas pension that continue to be paid directly to you such as:
  • holiday pay
  • private pensions
  • any portion of your pension based on voluntary contributions.

The special Banking option is not suitable if:

• your overseas pension is more than the New Zealand pension or benefit as we can't pay more than the full amount of your New Zealand benefit or pension
• you're entitled to the full amount of your New Zealand pension as well as your overseas pension.

You can find more information in our brochures and factsheets:

Application packs for the special banking option

These packs contain the forms needed to apply for the special banking option. Once the forms have been completed they need to be sent to International Services to be processed.

Australia

The  Netherlands

The United Kingdom

Ireland

Jersey and Guernsey

For more information

These pages are a guide only. For more information please contact:

Contact us

Everyone's situation is different. We're here to help if you need it.

Our International Services team specialise in international social security. They are the best people to contact for questions about getting an overseas benefit or pension in New Zealand. They can explain the rules so you’ll know what to expect.

Although we may refer you to International Services for some questions, please contact us if you:

• would like assistance
• aren't sure if you can get assistance
• are struggling to support yourself or your family
• would like more information.