International Social Security Agreements
New Zealand has bilateral social security agreements with several countries. Each agreement enables New Zealanders access to certain benefits or pensions when moving to these countries and allows for similar entitlements to people who move to New Zealand from these countries.
Countries New Zealand has a social security agreement with
- Australia
- Canada
- Denmark
- Republic of Ireland
- Jersey
- Guernsey
- Greece
- Netherlands
- United Kingdom
Benefits and pensions
If you move from New Zealand to one of these countries your entitlement to a benefit or pension is usually based on the period of time you have lived in New Zealand or that agreement country, from the age of 20 years onwards.
Each agreement outlines whether you are entitled to receive a New Zealand pension or benefit or if you are entitled to receive assistance from an agreement country.
You should tell us about all overseas countries you have lived in as you may also be eligible to receive pensions from those countries.
What benefits or pensions are available and who decides what I will receive?
International Services, together with Work and Income, decide who can get a benefit or pension from New Zealand based on our entitlement criteria. The benefit or pension agency of each agreement country decides who can get a benefit or pension from that country.
In some cases you may be able to receive part payments of both a New Zealand and an agreement country’s benefit or pension.
For more information about receiving a New Zealand benefit or pension and/or receiving an agreement country’s benefit or pension, please refer to the brochures outlining each agreement on the Work and Income website or contact us for a copy. See our contact details below.
What do I have to do before leaving New Zealand to live in an agreement country permanently?
You should check whether you are able to get a New Zealand or overseas benefit or pension before you decide to move.
If you already get a New Zealand benefit or pension you must advise us of your departure before you leave. It is recommended that you apply to have your New Zealand benefits or pensions paid overseas at least four weeks before you are due to leave New Zealand. You can apply for New Zealand or agreement country benefits and pensions from either New Zealand or the agreement country.
If you are not already receiving a pension from the agreement country in which you intend to live, you should ask if you can get a pension once you get there.
What happens if I go overseas or visit New Zealand from an agreement country?
If you receive New Zealand Superannuation and leave an agreement country temporarily, for up to 26 weeks, New Zealand payment overseas terms and conditions, or the agreement provisions, will apply (please see the reference to Social Security Agreement Brochures later on this fact sheet).
If you visit New Zealand temporarily from an agreement country you will continue to get the same rate you are paid while in the agreement country.
If you return to live in New Zealand permanently, you may be entitled to the full New Zealand rate of a New Zealand benefit or pension adjusted by the amount of social security based pension you receive from any other country.
What if my circumstances change while I am living in an agreement country?
Telling us about any changes will ensure that you continue to be paid the correct entitlement of your benefit or pension. Even if you are not living in New Zealand, you must still tell us about any changes to your circumstances including:
- personal details such as your name or address
- living situation - for instance if you begin living with a partner
- if you or your partner move to another country or begin to receive an overseas pension.
Life Certificates will be sent out to you regularly to complete and return to ensure your details and entitlements are kept up to date. Please also tell us if you return to live in New Zealand.
Privacy laws when living overseas
When you, your partner or dependent children are overseas the same privacy laws apply to the receipt of a New Zealand benefit or pension as they would if you were in New Zealand. This means that unless you nominate an agent, you are the only person that can access your information from us.
Any application forms you complete for New Zealand benefits or pensions through an agreement may be compared with information held by the agreement country in order to check your eligibility. Some other New Zealand government agencies may also compare information about you, for example, Inland Revenue or the New Zealand Customs Service.
Further information
Further information can be found in the International Services brochures about the social security agreements. The brochures cover:
- how the payments are made overseas
- how overseas pensions are paid to you in New Zealand
- extra assistance available in New Zealand and agreement countries
- how much you will get from New Zealand when overseas
- how benefit and pension payments are taxed
- how to apply for a benefit or pension in an agreement country
- Frequently Asked Questions
- contact details for the social security agencies of each agreement country.
The brochures can be found at: Social Security Agreements and guides
| Contact us | On… |
|---|---|
| From New Zealand | Ph: 0800 777 227 Fax: 04 918 0159 |
| From Australia | Ph: 1800 150 479 |
| From other countries | Ph: + 64 4 978 1180 Fax: + 64 4 918 0159 |
| International Services Ministry of Social Development PO Box 27 178 Wellington 6141 |
|
| international.services@msd.govt.nz |
Note: When calling from overseas replace the '+' with the international direct dial prefix for the country you're in.
If you are deaf or hearing impaired you can send a message to our Deaf Link free-fax 0800 621 621.
