Social security agreement with Canada
Introduction
This brochure is for:
- New Zealanders who have lived, live or are going to live in Canada
- Canadians who have lived, live or are going to live in New Zealand.
The Social Security Agreement
New Zealand and Canada have a social security agreement. The Agreement covers Canadian benefits and pensions under the Old Age Security Programme and the Canada Pension Plan. It also covers the following benefits and pensions from New Zealand:
- New Zealand Superannuation
- Veteran’s Pension
- Invalid’s Benefit
- Widow’s Benefit
- Domestic Purposes Benefit for Widowers.
The Agreement means that:
- Some New Zealand benefits and pensions can be paid to New Zealanders going to live in Canada.
- New Zealanders who live in Canada can have their New Zealand residence treated as Canadian residence and/or “Canadian creditable periods” to meet residence and/or contribution criteria for Canadian benefits and pensions.
- When a person applies for a Canadian benefit or pension, they can apply for a New Zealand benefit or pension as well.
- Canadians who live in New Zealand can use their “Canadian creditable periods” to meet residential requirements for benefits or pensions in New Zealand.
- When they apply for a New Zealand benefit or pension, they must apply for a Canadian benefit or pension as well.
Note: Quebec has its own pension plan and this is not covered by the Agreement.
Quebec pensions paid to people in New Zealand may still affect payment of New Zealand benefits or pensions.
For information about the Quebec Pension Plan
Calling from Canada: 1800 463 5185
Calling outside of Canada: 001 418 643 5185
If you have lived in Canada or New Zealand for some time, you may qualify for benefits or pensions not covered by this Agreement. For more information contact Human Resources and Skills Development Canada or Work and Income
Phrases used
“Ordinarily resident in New Zealand” describes a person who normally lives in New Zealand and intends to continue doing so. As there are a number of factors that prove “ordinarily resident”, Work and Income decides this on a case by case basis.
A partner is your spouse (husband or wife), or a person (of the opposite sex) with whom you have a de facto relationship.
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada is the equivalent of Work and Income in New Zealand.
“Canadian creditable period” means a period of Canadian residence or contributions which can be used to gain the right to a benefit under the legislation of Canada.
Receiving a benefit or pension in Canada
If you live in Canada or intend to, you may qualify for a benefit or pension from both Canada and New Zealand.
Receiving New Zealand benefits or pensions in Canada
Work and Income uses certain criteria to decide who can receive a New Zealand benefit or pension in Canada and how much will be paid.
Can I receive New Zealand Superannuation or a Veteran’s Pension?
You may be able to receive either of these in Canada if:
- you are paid New Zealand Superannuation or a Veteran’s Pension, or you meet the New Zealand criteria (except being ordinarily resident in New Zealand)
- you have been resident and present in New Zealand for more than 10 years since the age of 20 with five years since the age of 50 (your “Canadian creditable periods” in Canada can be used for this but you must have lived in New Zealand continuously for at least one year since age 20)
- you are in Canada or New Zealand when you apply
- you intend to live in Canada for more than 26 weeks
- you are 65 or over
- you have the necessary service and disability qualifications (for Veteran’s Pension).
Note: You can receive either New Zealand Superannuation or a Veteran’s Pension, but not both.
The Living Alone Payment
The Living Alone Payment is not paid to people living in Canada.
Partners
New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran’s Pension paid into Canada do not include payments for partners who do not meet the criteria for either pension eg they are under 65 or do not meet the residency criteria.
Can I receive an Invalid’s Benefit?
You may be able to receive an Invalid’s Benefit in Canada if:
- you are paid an Invalid’s Benefit, or you meet the New Zealand criteria (except being ordinarily resident in New Zealand)
- you have been resident and present in New Zealand for more than two years (your periods of creditable contributions under the Canada Pension Plan can be used for this but you must have lived in New Zealand continuously for at least one year since age 20)
- you are in Canada or New Zealand when you apply
- you intend to live in Canada for more than 26 weeks
- you are permanently and severely restricted in your capacity to work because of sickness, injury or disability or you are blind.
Can I receive a Widow’s Benefit or Domestic Purposes Benefit for Widowers?
You may be able to receive either of these in Canada if:
- you are paid a Widow’s Benefit or Domestic Purposes Benefit for Widowers, or you meet the New Zealand criteria (except being ordinarily resident in New Zealand)
- you have been resident and present in New Zealand for more than two years ( your periods of creditable contributions under the Canada Pension Plan can be used for this but you must have lived in New Zealand continuously for at least one year since age 20)
- the ”Canadian creditable periods” that your late partner contributed to the Canadian Pension Plan can be treated as time you spent contributing to this (for Widow’s Benefit)
- you are in Canada or New Zealand when you apply
- you intend to live in Canada more than 26 weeks
- you are the father of one or more dependent children whose mother is deceased (for the Domestic Purposes Benefit for Widowers).
Note: Partners that died in Canada may be treated as if they died in New Zealand.
Can I receive extra assistance?
New Zealand supplementary benefits and allowances (Disability Allowance, Accommodation Supplement and Family Tax Credit (formerly Family Support)) are not paid to people living outside New Zealand. They will usually stop the day after you leave New Zealand.
If you live in Canada, you may be able to receive extra help. Talk to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada about this.
How do I apply for New Zealand benefits or pensions?
You should apply before you leave New Zealand.
Applying from New Zealand
At least four weeks before you are due to leave New Zealand, you should call Work and Income to arrange an interview.
At the interview, you (and your partner) will complete an application form that includes details of your periods of residence in New Zealand. This will help Work and Income work out how much you should be paid.
These are the things you need to take to the interview:
- your passport
- another form of identification (driver licence or birth certificate, marriage certificate)
- your travel itinerary or tickets
- your New Zealand or overseas bank account details that you want your payments made to (bank book, bank statement or deposit slip)
- any documentation that shows your intent to reside in Canada eg accommodation agreement
- any other information that you think will be helpful.
You may need to take additional items depending on your situation. You can check this when you call to arrange an interview.
When will my payments begin?
If you are already paid a New Zealand benefit or pension, the new payment usually starts from the first pay day after you leave New Zealand.
If you are not already paid New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran’s Pension, payment usually starts from the date of your application or the entitlement date – whichever is later.
If you are not already paid an Invalid’s Benefit, Widow’s Benefit or Domestic Purposes Benefit for Widowers there is a stand-down period before your payments begin.
For more information, contact Work and Income
Applying from Canada
If you apply from Canada, payment does not usually start before the date you make your application. In some circumstances this date may be the day that you applied for your Canadian pension.
To apply for a New Zealand benefit or pension from Canada, contact Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
You (and your partner) will need to complete an application form and provide proof of the time you lived in New Zealand. This can include testimonials, work references and letters from neighbours and friends (please provide their contact details).
You will also need:
- proof of your identity (passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, or driver licence)
- your bank account details so that payments can be made to you (bank book, bank statement or deposit slip).
What if my circumstances change?
Even if you are not living in New Zealand, you must still tell Work and Income about any changes to your circumstances eg you marry or change address.
Life certificates and renewal forms
Work and Income will send you life certificates if you receive New Zealand Superannuation or a Veteran’s Pension, or renewal forms if you receive an Invalid’s Benefit, Widow’s Benefit or a Domestic Purposes Benefit for Widowers.
Make sure you return your life certificate or renewal form to Work and Income promptly. Payments are suspended if they are not returned within eight weeks and cancelled if they are still not returned after 16 weeks.
New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran’s Pension
A life certificate is issued every 12 months if you receive New Zealand Superannuation or a Veteran’s Pension while living in Canada.
In some cases a life certificate is issued every six months eg you use an agent, your payments are made to a New Zealand bank account, or you are over 80.
Invalid’s Benefit, Widow’s Benefit, Domestic Purposes Benefit for Widowers
If you receive one of these benefits, you will be sent a renewal form every 12 months.
Receiving Canadian benefits or pensions in Canada
Human Resources and Social Development Canada decides who can receive Canadian benefits or pensions and how much will be paid.
The time you resided in New Zealand may be treated as “Canadian creditable periods”. This means that you may be able to receive benefits or pensions under the Old Age Security Programme and/or the Canada Pension Plan.
How do I apply for Canadian benefits and pensions?
You should apply while in Canada. For more information, contact Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
How much will I be paid?
New Zealand payments
The rate you are paid depends on the New Zealand benefit or pension you apply for and the number of months you lived in New Zealand since you turned 20.
All New Zealand payments into Canada are at a gross rate in New Zealand dollars. The amount you receive will change each month depending on the exchange rate.
New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran’s Pension
The rate you are paid is based on your date of birth and the number of months you have lived in New Zealand since turning 20.
If you qualify for New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran’s Pension before you leave New Zealand and you have resided in New Zealand for 10 years since turning 20, with five years since turning 50, the minimum you can be paid is 50 per cent of the maximum rate.
Invalid’s Benefit, Widow’s Benefit and Domestic Purposes Benefit for Widowers
- If you lived in New Zealand for 300 months or more since turning 20, you will receive the maximum gross rate.
- If you lived in New Zealand for less than 300 months since turning 20, you will receive an amount based on the number of months lived in New Zealand since turning 20.
Note: The Invalid’s Benefit, Widow’s Benefit and the Domestic Purposes Benefit for Widowers are income-tested. This means that the rate you are paid depends on any other income that you have.
Canadian payments
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada decides how much you will be paid. For more information, contact them.
How are payments made from New Zealand?
You can choose to have your payments made:
- to a Canadian bank account every four weeks or
- to a New Zealand bank account every fortnight.
If you choose to have your payment made to a Canadian bank account, Work and Income will pay the initial cost of transferring the funds. You must pay for any other costs that your bank charges.
If you choose to have your payments made to a New Zealand bank account, you must pay the cost of any transfers to Canada.
What tax will I have to pay?
You may have to pay tax on New Zealand payments when you live in Canada. For information, contact the Canadian tax authorities
What happens to my New Zealand benefit or pension if I leave Canada?
If you move to another country, you may continue to receive your New Zealand benefit or pension depending on which country you move to.
New Zealand has social security agreements with Ireland, the United Kingdom, Jersey and Guernsey, the Netherlands, Denmark, Greece and Australia. You will need to re-apply for your New Zealand payment under the appropriate agreement if you move to any of these countries.
The Agreement between New Zealand and the United Kingdom does not allow for payment of New Zealand benefits and pensions in the United Kingdom. However, you may be able to receive a United Kingdom benefit or pension.
If you move from Canada to live in a country which New Zealand does not have a social security agreement with, your New Zealand payments will stop.
If you visit another country, a temporary absence of up to 26 weeks from Canada will not affect your payments.
Contact International Services to discuss how a move or visit to another country will affect your payments.
What happens to my New Zealand benefit or pension if I return to New Zealand?
If you return to New Zealand permanently, you may be paid the full New Zealand rate less any payment that you receive from Canada or another country. You will need to tell Work and Income about your return.
If you return to New Zealand temporarily, your payments will not be affected.
Receiving a benefit or pension in New Zealand
If you live in New Zealand or intend to, you may qualify for benefits or pensions from both New Zealand and Canada.
If you are paid a New Zealand benefit or pension, you must apply for any Canadian benefit or pension that you may be able to receive.
The total amount you receive will be similar to the amount you would have been paid if you had spent all your life in New Zealand.
Generally, you must have permanent residence or New Zealand citizenship to be paid a New Zealand benefit or pension.
If you already receive a Canadian benefit or pension, you must tell Work and Income.
Receiving Canadian benefits or pensions in New Zealand
Human Resources and Social Development Canada decides who can receive Canadian benefits and pensions and how much will be paid.
If you have “Canadian creditable periods” you may meet the general criteria for Canadian benefits and pensions paid under the Old Age Security Programme and/or the Canada Pension Plan.
How do I apply for Canadian benefits and pensions?
You should apply before you leave Canada. If you already live in New Zealand, contact Work and Income
Receiving New Zealand benefits or pensions in New Zealand
Work and Income uses certain criteria to decide who can get a benefit or pension in New Zealand and how much will be paid.
Can I receive New Zealand Superannuation or a Veteran’s Pension?
You may be able to receive either of these if you have lived in Canada and:
- you meet the New Zealand criteria for New Zealand Superannuation or a Veteran’s Pension
- you have been resident and present in New Zealand for more than 10 years since the age of 20 with five years since the age of 50 (your “Canadian creditable periods” can be used for this)
- you are ordinarily resident in New Zealand when you apply
- you have been granted permanent residence in New Zealand by Immigration New Zealand, or you have New Zealand citizenship
- you intend to live in New Zealand
- you are 65 or over (for New Zealand Superannuation)
- you have the necessary service and disability qualifications (for Veteran’s Pension).
Note: You can receive either New Zealand Superannuation or a Veteran’s Pension, but not both.
More information about New Zealand Superannuation
More information about Veteran’s Pension
The Living Alone Payment
If you live alone and you receive New Zealand Superannuation you may be eligible for the Living Alone Payment
Partners
You may choose to include your partner if they do not meet the criteria for either pension eg they are under 65 or do not meet the residency criteria.
If you choose to include your partner, the married rate of New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran’s Pension will be income tested. This means that the rate you are paid will depend on any income you and your partner have.
Can I receive an Invalid’s Benefit?
You may be able to receive an Invalid’s Benefit if you have lived in Canada and:
- you meet the New Zealand criteria for an Invalid’s Benefit
- you have been resident and present in New Zealand for more than two years (your periods of creditable contributions to the Canada Pension Plan can be used for this)
- you are ordinarily resident in New Zealand when you apply
- you have been granted permanent residence in New Zealand by Immigration New Zealand, or you have New Zealand citizenship
- you are 16 or over
- you are permanently and severely restricted in your capacity to work because of sickness, injury or disability or you are blind.
More information about the Invalid’s Benefit
Can I receive a Widow’s Benefit or the Domestic Purposes Benefit for Widowers?
You may be able to receive either of these if you have lived in Canada and:
- you meet the New Zealand criteria for Widow’s Benefit or Domestic Purposes Benefit for Widowers
- you have been resident and present in New Zealand for more than two years (your periods of creditable contributions to the Canada Pension Plan can be used for this)
- you are ordinarily resident in New Zealand when you apply
- you have been granted permanent residence in New Zealand by Immigration New Zealand, or you have New Zealand citizenship
- you are 16 or over (for Widow’s Benefit)
- you are 18 or over or you are under 18 and legally married or in a civil union (for the Domestic Purposes Benefit for Widowers)
- you are a man whose partner is deceased (for the Domestic Purposes Benefit for Widowers)
- you are the father of one or more dependent children whose mother is deceased (for the Domestic Purposes Benefit for Widowers).
Note: Partners that died in Canada may be treated as if they died in New Zealand.
The “Canadian creditable periods” that your late partner contributed to the Canadian Pension Plan can be treated as time you spent contributing to this (for Widow’s Benefit).
More information about
Can I receive extra assistance?
There are a number of supplementary benefits available in New Zealand. You may qualify for these depending on your circumstances.
Accommodation Supplement
The Accommodation Supplement helps with paying rent or board, or owning a home. The rate depends on the area you live in and your accommodation costs.
Disability Allowance
If you have a disability you may be able to receive a Disability Allowance to help towards any extra costs such as regular doctor visits, medicines, extra clothes, food or travel.
Working for families Tax Credit (formerly Family Support)
If you care for dependent children, you may be able to receive Working for families tax credit This depends on any other income you receive.
For more information about these benefits, refer to Work and Income’s brochure:
If you apply for New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran’s Pension refer to:
How do I apply for a New Zealand benefit or pension?
You should apply at a Work and Income office. To find out about applying, contact Work and Income
How much will I be paid?
As a general rule, the amount you are paid is about equal to the New Zealand benefit or pension you would be paid if you had lived all your life in New Zealand.
Work and Income decides how much you will be paid based on certain criteria. Any Canadian benefit or pension paid to you is usually deducted from your New Zealand payment, as are any other benefits or pensions received from other countries.
How is this done?
Your full gross Canadian benefit or pension is paid from Canada to your bank account. Your gross benefit or pension is converted each month to New Zealand dollars using an average of the previous month’s exchange rates. This amount is directly deducted from your New Zealand benefit or pension.
This means that the payments you receive from Canada and New Zealand will change each month due to fluctuations in exchange rates.
Each month Work and Income will send you a letter explaining how your New Zealand payment rate was worked out. If you don’t want to receive these, please let us know.
The total amount you receive will be the equivalent of your full New Zealand benefit or pension entitlement.
Note: The rate of Invalid’s Benefit, Widow’s Benefit, Domestic Purposes Benefit for Widowers and New Zealand Superannuation (where a non-qualified partner has been included) depends on any other income you have.
How are payments made from Canada?
For information on how payments are made from Canada contact Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.
What tax will I have to pay?
You will have to pay tax on your Canadian benefit or pension in New Zealand, if you also receive New Zealand Superannuation or a Veteran’s Pension.
This is regardless of whether your Canadian benefit or pension is paid into New Zealand or Canada.
Make sure you keep copies of all your banking records, as these may show your gross Canadian pension payments required for tax purposes.
You may not have to pay tax on your Canadian benefit or pension in New Zealand, if you are paid a New Zealand benefit other than New Zealand Superannuation or a Veteran’s Pension.
This is because your gross Canadian pension is directly deducted from your net New Zealand entitlement.
We recommend you discuss your tax liabilities with Inland Revenue (New Zealand).
What happens to my New Zealand benefit or pension if I leave New Zealand?
If you leave New Zealand temporarily, you must advise Work and Income. You may continue to receive your benefit or pension, or it may be suspended or cancelled, depending on the length of time you are away.
If you move to another country, you may continue to receive your New Zealand benefit or pension depending on which country you move to.
Advise Work and Income of your plans so there’s less chance that you will be overpaid and required to make repayments later.
What happens to my New Zealand benefit or pension if I return to Canada?
If you return to Canada temporarily you must advise Work and Income. You may continue to receive your benefit or pension depending on the length of time you are away.
If you move back to Canada, your benefit or pension may be suspended or cancelled depending on the length of time you are away. In certain cases, you can take your New Zealand payment with you, but the rate may change.
Advise Work and Income of your plans so there’s less chance that you will be overpaid and required to make repayments later.
For more information about how leaving New Zealand may affect your payment, refer to Work and Income’s brochures:
If you are paid New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran’s Pension, refer to:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. If my partner is under 65 and is included in my New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran’s Pension and we move to Canada, is my rate affected?
A. Yes. New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran’s Pension payments into Canada do not include payments for partners under age 65.
Q. Will I continue to receive extra assistance or the Living Alone Payment from New Zealand (in addition to my benefit or pension) if I move to Canada?
A. No. Extra assistance (Accommodation Supplement, Disability Allowance and Family Tax Credit (formerly Family Support)) and the Living Alone Payment are only paid to people living in New Zealand.
Q. Who decides how much I will be paid?
A. Human Resources Development in Canada decides who can receive a Canadian benefit or pension and how much will be paid. Work and Income in New Zealand decides who can receive a New Zealand benefit or pension and how much will be paid.
Q. What happens to the information I provide Work and Income?
A. Any application forms you complete for New Zealand benefits or pensions may be compared with information held by Human Resources Development or Work and Income. Work and Income check your identity and residency status.
Work and Income compare information with Inland Revenue, the Ministry of Justice, the Department of Corrections, the New Zealand Customs Service, the Department of Internal Affairs, the Accident Compensation Corporation, Housing New Zealand Corporation and Immigration New Zealand. Work and Income may pass this information on to Human Resources Development Canada as well.
In certain circumstances, Work and Income may approach other governments from whom you may be able to receive a similar benefit or pension.
Under the New Zealand Privacy Act 1993, you have the right to request all information we hold about you and corrections to that information.
Q. What happens if I’m in New Zealand and my Canadian benefit or pension is higher than my New Zealand benefit or pension?
A. You will be paid your full Canadian benefit or pension but not a New Zealand benefit or pension.
If your partner is paid a New Zealand benefit or pension, any excess from your Canadian payment will be deducted from their New Zealand benefit or pension.
Q. I’m leaving New Zealand to live in Canada, but would like to travel first. How is my benefit or pension affected?
A. If you intend to live in Canada for over 26 weeks you may take up to 26 weeks from leaving New Zealand to reside there eg you take a three month holiday in the United States first. In this instance, you would be considered ordinarily resident in Canada for benefit and pension purposes.
If you don’t arrive in Canada within 26 weeks, your payments will stop and you may have to pay back all New Zealand payments made from the time you left New Zealand.
Q. Can I receive back-dated payments for New Zealand benefits or pensions?
A. No. You will be paid from the date that Work and Income receives your application or your entitlement date – whichever is later.
If you qualify for an Invalid’s Benefit, Widow’s Benefit or Domestic Purposes Benefit for Widowers, there is a stand-down period. Payment begins after that period.
Contacts
Contacting Canada International Operations
Income Security Programs
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0L4
CANADA
Calling from Canada
Tel 1800 277 9914
Calling from outside Canada
Tel 001 613 957 1954
(collect calls are accepted)
Fax 001 613 952 8901
Web www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca
When you write to International Operations, you should include:
- your full name, full address and date of birth
- a list of all the countries you have lived in
- your Canadian reference number.
Contacting New Zealand International Services
Work and Income
Ministry of Social Development
P O Box 27-178
Wellington 6141
NEW ZEALAND
Calling from New Zealand
For general benefit enquiries or to arrange a meeting 0800 559 009
For specific enquiries about the Agreement 0800 777 227
Calling from overseas
Tel 0064 4 978 1180
Fax 0064 4 918 0159
