Travelling 26 weeks or less
You can go overseas on a holiday or travel for 26 weeks or less and if you already receive New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran’s Pension, your payments can continue as normal. You should contact us before you travel and then contact us again when you return.
Who can get it
If you're already getting New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran’s Pension, your payments can continue as if you were in New Zealand for the first 26 weeks, provided that:
- you return to New Zealand within 30 weeks
- you normally live in New Zealand.
How much can you get
Your New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran’s Pension payments continue as normal.
Other payments
If you receive extra financial help from us such as a Disability Allowance or an Accommodation Supplement, you may be able to get this for the first 28 days of your absence from New Zealand.
You should contact us about this before you go
Unexpected delays
If you planned to return to New Zealand within 30 weeks but are unable to, you may be able to be paid for the first 26 weeks of your travel if you were unable to return due to circumstances beyond your control or that you could not have foreseen before you left New Zealand. This can include:
- aircraft breakdowns
- bereavement
- illness/injury to you, your partner or relatives
You may be asked to provide proof of the circumstances which have delayed or prevented your return.
If you don’t return and we don’t hear from you within 30 weeks of leaving New Zealand you may need to pay back the money we paid you since you left.
How to ensure your payments don’t stop
You should contact us before you go and then contact us again when you return.
