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Introduction

This information is for:

• New Zealanders who have resided, reside or are going to reside in the Netherlands
• former Dutch residents who have resided, reside or are going to reside in New Zealand.

Note: If you intend to only travel around the Netherlands and then return to New Zealand or intend to travel around the Netherlands and then to a third country please refer to Retired and going overseas.

The Social Security Agreement

New Zealand and the Netherlands have a social security agreement. The Agreement covers the following benefits and pensions:

New Zealand

• New Zealand Superannuation
• Veteran's Pension
• Invalid's Benefit
• Widow's Benefit
• Domestic Purposes Benefit for Widowers

The Netherlands

• Old Age Benefit
• Survivors Benefit
• Invalidity Benefit
• Sickness Benefit
• Unemployment Insurance (in certain circumstances regarding secondments to New Zealand)
• Children’s Allowances.

The Agreement means that:

• New Zealanders who have resided in the Netherlands and have periods of Netherlands residence or insurance may qualify for benefits and pensions from the Netherlands as well as New Zealand.
• People from the Netherlands who reside or have resided in New Zealand may qualify for benefits and pensions from New Zealand as well as the Netherlands. 
• When former Netherlands residents apply for a New Zealand benefit or pension and may also qualify for a Netherlands benefit or pension, they must apply for that Netherlands benefit or pension as well.

Note: If you have resided in the Netherlands or New Zealand for some time, you may qualify for benefits or pensions that are not covered by the Agreement.

Phrases used

“Ordinarily resident in New Zealand” describes a person who normally resides 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 with whom you have a de facto relationship or in a civil union with.

Note: If you are in a same sex relationship and residing in the Netherlands, we cannot pay you a married rate.

Uitvoering Werknemersverzekeringen (UWV) looks after sickness, invalid, disability and employment insurance schemes. The Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB) looks after Netherlands Old Age pensions, Survivor's Benefits and Children’s Allowance schemes. They are the equivalent of Work and Income in New Zealand.  UWV and SVB are collectively referred to as the Netherlands social security agencies in this booklet.  Unemployment Insurance is payable by the Netherlands social security agencies. Contact them for more information. See below for contact details.

Receiving a benefit or pension in the Netherlands

If you reside in the Netherlands or you intend to, you may qualify for benefits or pensions from both the Netherlands and New Zealand.

Receiving New Zealand benefits or pensions in the Netherlands

Work and Income uses certain criteria to decide who can receive a New Zealand benefit or pension in the Netherlands 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 the Netherlands if:

• you are being 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 periods of residence in the Netherlands and/or periods of Netherlands insurance attained after the age of 20 may be able to be used for this but you must have resided in New Zealand continuously for one year since age 20; only periods of Netherlands insurance attained after the age of 50 can be used to meet the residency criteria in New Zealand for after the age of 50)
• you turn 65 on or after 1 November 2003 and have resided in New Zealand continuously for one year since turning 20 or you have resided in New Zealand for at least 10 years if you turned 65 before 1 November 2003
• you are in the Netherlands or New Zealand when you apply
• you intend to reside in the Netherlands 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 rate

The Living Alone rate is not paid to people residing in the Netherlands.

Partners

New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran's Pension paid into the Netherlands does 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 the Invalid's Benefit in the Netherlands 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 in New Zealand for at least two years continuously (your periods of residence in the Netherlands and/or periods of Netherlands insurance attained after the age of 20 may be able to be used for this but you must have resided in New Zealand continuously for one year since age 20)
• you are in the Netherlands or New Zealand when you apply
• you reside or intend to reside in the Netherlands 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.

Partners

When we pay the Invalid's Benefit in the Netherlands, we may also be able to include payments for partners, even if they work or have never resided in New Zealand.

Can I receive a Widow's Benefit or Domestic Purposes Benefit for Widowers?

You may be able to receive either of these in the Netherlands 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 in New Zealand for at least two years continuously (your periods of residence in the Netherlands and/or periods of Netherlands insurance attained after the age of 20 may be able to be used to meet this but you must have resided in New Zealand continuously for one year since age 20)
• the periods of time that you and/or your late partner accumulated insurance under Netherlands Social Security laws may be treated as time resided in New Zealand (for the Widow's Benefit)
• any overlapping periods can only be counted once (for the Widow's Benefit)
• you are in the Netherlands or New Zealand when you apply
• you reside or intend to reside in the Netherlands for 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 the Netherlands may be treated as if they died in New Zealand (for the Widow's Benefit).

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 residing outside New Zealand.  They will usually stop the day after you leave New Zealand.

If you are residing in the Netherlands, you may be able to receive extra help from the Netherlands.  Talk to the Netherlands social security agencies about this. See below for contact details.

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, 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 may be paid.

These are the things you need to take to the interview:

• your passport
• another form of identification (driver's license or birth certificate, marriage certificate)
• your travel itinerary or tickets
• the 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 the Netherlands 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 payment date 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 may be a stand-down period before your payments begin.

For more information, contact Work and Income. See below for contact details.

Note: Special Banking Option: If you receive an overseas pension and you have taken up the Special Banking Option in New Zealand, your special banking option account will be closed when your application for payment in the Netherlands is processed. This is because the Special Banking Option is only available for clients who reside in New Zealand. You will need to arrange with the overseas agency to have your payments made to your personal bank account. We suggest you arrange this prior to your departure from New Zealand.

Applying from the Netherlands

To apply for a New Zealand benefit or pension from the Netherlands, you must contact the Netherlands social security agencies. Payment cannot start before you make your application.

You (and your partner) will need to complete an application form and provide proof of the time you resided 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’s licence)
• your bank account details so that payments can be made to you (bank book, bank statement or deposit slip).

See below for contact details.

What if my circumstances change?

Even if you are not residing in New Zealand, you must still tell Work and Income about any changes to your circumstances eg you marry or change address. 

You also need to advise Netherlands Social Insurance Bank of these changes.  See below for contact details.

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.  Your benefit or pension 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 a Veteran's Pension

A life certificate is issued every 12 months if you receive New Zealand Superannuation or a Veteran's Pension while residing in the Netherlands.

In some cases a life certificate is issued every six months eg you use an agent, your New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension 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 Netherlands benefits or pensions in the Netherlands

The Netherlands social security agencies decide who can receive Netherlands benefits or pensions and how much will be paid.

You may be able to receive a Netherlands benefit or pension if you have periods of Netherlands insurance.  You will need to speak to the Netherlands social security agencies about this.

How do I apply for Netherlands benefits and pensions?

You should apply while in the Netherlands. For more information, contact the Netherlands social security agencies.  See below for contact details.

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 resided in New Zealand since you turned 20.

The amount you receive will change each month depending on the exchange rate used to convert your payments from New Zealand dollars to Euro.

New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran's Pension

The rate paid is based on your date of birth and the number of whole months resided in New Zealand since turning 20.   New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran’s Pension are paid into the Netherlands at the gross rate.

If you are paid a Veteran’s Pension and you are under the age of 65 any other income you receive may affect the rate you are paid.  This is because Veteran’s Pension for those under the age of 65 is an income-tested payment.

If you turned 65 before 1 November 2003 you must have at least 10 years New Zealand residence.

If you qualify for New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension before you leave New Zealand (if this was after 1/4/1990) and you have resided in New Zealand for 10 years since turning 20 (with five years since turning 50), then the minimum you may be able to be paid is 50% of the maximum gross rate.

Invalid's Benefit, Widow's Benefit and Domestic Purposes Benefit for Widowers

• If you resided in New Zealand for 300 months or more since turning 20, you may receive the maximum rate.
• If you have resided in New Zealand for less than 300 months since turning 20, you may receive an amount based on the number of whole months resided in New Zealand since turning 20.

 These benefits are paid at the net rate.

Note: Invalid's Benefit, Widow's Benefit and Domestic Purposes Benefit for Widowers are all income-tested. This means that the rate you are paid depends on any other income you have.

Netherlands payments

The Netherlands social security agencies decide how much you will be paid. For more information, contact them.  See below for contact details.

How are payments made from New Zealand?

You can choose to have your benefit or pension payments made:

• to an overseas bank account every four weeks, or
• to a New Zealand bank account every fortnight.

If you choose to have your benefit or pension payments made to a Netherlands 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 benefit or pension payment made to a New Zealand bank account, you must pay the cost of any transfers to the Netherlands.

What tax will I have to pay?

You may have to pay tax on New Zealand benefit or pension payments if you reside in the Netherlands. For more information on paying taxes in the Netherlands, contact Netherlands tax authorities.

Note: If your New Zealand benefit or pension payments are being made into a New Zealand bank account you may need to pay tax to New Zealand Inland Revenue.  Please contact them for more information, you may find their website address www.ird.govt.nz a useful place to start.

What happens to my New Zealand benefit or pension if I leave the Netherlands?

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 Australia, Canada, Denmark, Greece, Jersey and Guernsey, Ireland and the United Kingdom. You will need to re-apply for your New Zealand benefit or pension 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 the Netherlands to reside in a country which New Zealand does not have a social security agreement with, your New Zealand benefit or pension payments will stop. 

If you visit another country, a temporary absence of up to 26 weeks from the Netherlands will not affect your benefit or pension payments.

If your temporary absence from the Netherlands is for more than 26 weeks, your payments will be affected from the date you leave the Netherlands.  You may have a debt which you will need to repay.

Contact Senior Services International to discuss how moving or visiting another country will affect your benefit or pension payments.  See below for contact details.

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 the Netherlands or another country. You will need to tell Work and Income that you have returned to reside in New Zealand. See below for contact details.

If you return to New Zealand for 26 weeks or less, you will receive the same rate of payment that you were getting in the Netherlands.

Receiving a benefit or pension in New Zealand

If you reside in New Zealand or you intend to, you may qualify for benefits or pensions from both New Zealand and the Netherlands.

If you are paid a New Zealand benefit or pension, you must apply for any Netherlands benefit or pension that you may be able to receive.  You must also apply for any other overseas benefit or pension that you may be able to receive.

The combined amount of your New Zealand and overseas payments receive will be similar to the amount you would have been paid if you spent all your life in New Zealand

Generally, you must have permanent residence in New Zealand or New Zealand citizenship to be paid a New Zealand benefit or pension. If you are already receiving a Netherlands benefit or pension, you must tell Work and Income.

Receiving Netherlands benefits or pensions in New Zealand

The Netherlands social security agencies decide who can receive Netherlands benefits or pensions and how much they will be paid.

If you or your partner have resided in the Netherlands between the ages of 15 and 65, you may be able to receive:

• Old Age Benefit
• Survivors Benefit
• Invalidity Benefit
• Sickness Benefit
• Children’s Allowances. 

For more information about Netherlands benefits and pensions, contact the Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB) or the Uitvoering Werknemersverzekeringen (UWV). See below for contact details.

How do I apply for Netherlands benefits and pensions?

You should apply before you leave the Netherlands.

If you already reside in New Zealand, contact Work and Income. See below for contact details.

Receiving New Zealand benefits or pensions in New Zealand

Work and Income uses certain criteria to decide who can receive 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 resided in the Netherlands 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 periods of residence in the Netherlands and/or periods of Netherlands insurance after the age of 20 may be able to be used for this. Only periods of Netherlands insurance obtained after the age of 50 can be included to meet the residency requirements in New Zealand for after the age of 50)
• 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 reside in New Zealand
• you are 65 or over (for New Zealand Superannuation)
• you have the necessary service and disability qualifications. If you need to use your periods of Netherlands insurance to meet the residential criteria, you will need to be 65 or over (for Veteran's Pension). 

Note: You can receive either New Zealand Superannuation or a Veteran's Pension, but not both.

If you are under the age of 65 and receiving a Veteran’s Pension, any other income you receive may affect the rate you are paid.

For more information about New Zealand Superannuation, refer to Services for Seniors guide

For more information about Veteran's Pension, refer to: War Veterans’ Entitlements guide

The Living Alone Payment

If you reside alone and you receive New Zealand Superannuation you may be eligible for the Living Alone Payment.  There may be other circumstances where you may be eligible for the Living Alone rate.  For more information contact Work and Income, see below for contact details.

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 the Invalid's Benefit if you have resided in the Netherlands and:

• you meet the New Zealand criteria for an Invalid's Benefit
• you have been resident in New Zealand for at least two years continuously (your periods of residence in the Netherlands and/or periods of Netherlands insurance attained after the age of 20 may be able to 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 totally blind.

For more information about Invalid's Benefit, refer to: Invalid's Benefit guide

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 resided in the Netherlands and:

• meet the New Zealand criteria for a Widow's Benefit or Domestic Purposes Benefit for Widowers
• you have been resident in New Zealand for at least two years continuously (you and your partners periods of residence in the Netherlands and/or periods of Netherlands insurance attained after the age of 20 may be able to be used for this)
• the periods of time that you and/or your late partner accumulated insurance under Netherlands Social Security laws are treated as time resided in New Zealand.  If you both accumulated a period at the same time, the period will be taken into account once (for the Widow's Benefit)
• 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 the Widow's Benefit)
• you are 18 or over, or you are under 18 and were 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).

For more information about Widow's Benefit or the Domestic Purposes Benefit for Widowers, refer to: Domestic Purposes and Widow's Benefits guide

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 reside 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.

Family Tax Credit (formerly Family Support)

If you care for dependent children, you may be able to receive Family Tax Credit. This depends on any other income you receive.

Community Services Card and Super Gold Card

If you reside in New Zealand and receive a benefit you may be entitled to a Community Services Card to help with health costs. 

If you are returning to New Zealand temporarily and you meet the entitlement criteria, you may be able to get a Temporary Community Services Card.

If you reside in New Zealand and are 65 years or over, or under 65 and receiving a Veteran’s Pension, or you have been included in your partners New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran’s Pension, you will be eligible for a Super Gold Card. It gives access to discounts from a wide range of businesses nationwide and facilitates easy access to government entitlements and local authority services and concessions.

Super Gold Cards are only available to people who are ordinarily resident in New Zealand. 

For more information about these benefits, refer to: Need Extra Help with Costs

If you apply for New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension refer to: Extra Financial Assistance

For more information on the Community Services Card, refer to: Community Services Card

For more information on the Super Gold Card, refer to the SuperGold Card website www.supergold.govt.nz or phone 0800 25 45 65

How do I apply for New Zealand benefits and pensions?

You should apply at a Work and Income office.  To find out more, call Work and Income. See below for contact details.

When you make an application for a benefit or pension in New Zealand, you need:

• proof of your identity (passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate or drivers’ licence)
• your bank account details so that payments can be made to you (bank book, bank statement or deposit slip)
• any other information that you think will be helpful.

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 resided all your life in New Zealand. Work and Income decides how much you will be paid based on certain criteria. Any benefit or pension similar to a New Zealand benefit or pension from another country including the Netherlands is usually deducted from your New Zealand payment.

Other income you have may affect the amount paid to you if you are applying for an income-tested benefit.

Note: Netherlands holiday pay and Netherlands benefits based on voluntary insurance are treated differently.

How is this done?

This depends on how you choose to have your Netherlands payments made.

How are payments made from the Netherlands?

You can choose to have your Netherlands benefit or pension paid by the Direct Payment Method or the Special Banking Option.

Direct Payment Method

If you choose the Direct Payment Method, your Netherlands benefit or pension is paid directly from the Netherlands to your bank account every month. You may need to pay tax on this.

Your Netherlands benefit or pension is converted each month to New Zealand dollars using the exchange rate provided by the Netherlands social security agencies.  This amount, less any Netherlands taxes, is directly deducted from your New Zealand benefit or pension.

This means that the payments you receive from the Netherlands and New Zealand will change each month due to fluctuations in the exchange rates used to calculate the New Zealand dollar value of your pension.

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 will 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, New Zealand Superannuation (where a non-qualified partner has been included), and Veteran’s Pension paid to those under 65 (and where a non-qualified partner has been included) depends on any other income you have.

Note: Holiday pay and benefits based on voluntary insurance are not directly deducted and will only affect income tested payments such as those detailed above.

The Special Banking Option

If you choose the Special Banking Option, your Netherlands benefit or pension will be paid into a special bank account that only Work and Income and the bank are able to access.

Work and Income will pay you the full New Zealand benefit or pension weekly or fortnightly.  Your payment isn’t affected by exchange rates and the tax is already paid for you.

Note: Holiday pay is transferred into your own bank account.

For more information, refer to: Payment Options for Overseas Pensions

What tax will I have to pay?

When I may have to pay tax

You may have to pay tax on your Netherlands payments in New Zealand if:

• you are paid New Zealand Superannuation or a Veteran's Pension, and
• you are paid your Netherlands payment by the Direct Payment Method.
• you took up the Special Banking Option part way through a tax year

This is regardless of whether your Netherlands payment is paid to a New Zealand or Netherlands bank account.

Make sure you keep copies of all your banking records, as these may confirm your gross Netherlands payments required for tax purposes.

You may also have to pay tax on holiday pay and Netherlands benefits or pensions based on voluntary contributions.

You may have to pay tax on any part of your Netherlands payment that exceeds the normal amount of New Zealand benefit payable if:

• you are paid any New Zealand benefit or pension
• you are paid your Netherlands payment by the Direct Payment Method
• the rate of New Zealand benefit paid to you, when combined with your Netherlands payment is more than the normal amount of benefit.

When I may not have to pay tax

Generally, you do not have to pay tax on your Netherlands payments in New Zealand (excluding holiday pay and benefits based on voluntary insurance), if:

• you are paid a New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension, and
• you are paid through the Special Banking Option or
• you are paid a New Zealand benefit or pension other than New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension, and
• you are paid your Netherlands payment by the Direct Payment Method.

You may need to pay tax on any Netherlands benefit or pension payments you received prior to choosing the Special Banking Option.  You may also need to pay tax on your holiday pay.

Note: If you are a Netherlands citizen residing in New Zealand, you may need to pay Netherlands tax and New Zealand tax on your Netherlands pension. 

However, you may be able to get a tax credit that will reduce the amount of New Zealand tax you need to pay on your Netherlands pension.  For further information on this, please contact Inland Revenue in New Zealand.

We recommend you discuss your tax liabilities with Inland Revenue (New Zealand).

Claiming a rebate

If your Netherlands payment has had tax deducted in the Netherlands, you may be able to claim a rebate from Inland Revenue (New Zealand). Please talk to them to find out more.

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 but it may be paid at a different rate or not be paid at all depending on the length of time you are away and the country you are in.

Note: If you only intend to travel overseas temporarily, please refer to Retired and going overseas if you are receiving New Zealand Superannuation or a Veteran's Pension, or Are you Going Overseas if you are receiving a benefit.

If you move to another country, you may be able to continue to receive your New Zealand benefit or pension depending on what type of benefit or pension you are receiving and 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.

Carrying out full-time voluntary humanitarian work

If you go overseas temporarily to do full-time voluntary humanitarian work, you may be able to receive your New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension for up to 156 weeks.  You need to check with Work and Income before you go.

What happens to my New Zealand benefit or pension if I return to the Netherlands?

Note: If you return to the Netherlands temporarily, you must advise Work and Income before you leave New Zealand. You may continue to receive your benefit or pension depending on what benefit or pension you are receiving and the length of time you are away.

If you move back to the Netherlands, your benefit or pension may be suspended or cancelled, depending on what type of benefit or pension you are receiving and the length of time you are away. In certain cases, you can take your New Zealand payment with you, but the rate may change.  You can apply to receive payments in the Netherlands before you depart New Zealand.

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:

• If you are paid New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension, refer to: Retired and Going Overseas
• If you are paid a benefit, refer to: Are you Going Overseas?

Frequently asked questions

If my partner is under 65 and is included in my New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension, and we move to the Netherlands, is my rate affected?

Yes. New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran's Pension payments into the Netherlands do not include payments for partners under 65.

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 the Netherlands?

No. Extra assistance (Accommodation Supplement, Disability Allowance and Family Tax Credit (formerly Family Support)) and the Living Alone Payment are only paid to people residing in New Zealand.

Who decides how much I will be paid?

The Netherlands social security agencies decide who can receive a Netherlands 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.

What happens to the information I provide Work and Income?

Any application forms you complete for New Zealand benefits or pensions may be compared with information held by the Netherlands social security agencies or Work and Income. Work and Income checks your identity and residency status.

Work and Income may 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 the Netherlands social security agencies, 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.

Is my benefit or pension affected if I owe money to the Netherlands social security agencies or Senior Services?

Yes. If you owe money in either country for an overpayment of a benefit or pension, it can be deducted from your benefit or pension. Repayments can be negotiated.

What happens if I’m in New Zealand and my Netherlands benefit or pension is higher than my New Zealand benefit or pension?

If your Netherlands payment is paid by Direct Payment Method you will be paid your full Netherlands payment but not a New Zealand benefit or pension.

If your partner is paid a New Zealand benefit or pension, any excess from your Netherlands pension over the maximum New Zealand rate will be deducted from their New Zealand benefit or pension.

In some circumstances, your full Irish pension may be deducted from your partners New Zealand benefit or pension payment.

If you are on the Special Banking Option, please talk to us about your options.

I’m leaving New Zealand to reside in the Netherlands, but would like to travel first. How is my benefit or pension affected?

You may take up to 26 weeks from leaving New Zealand to reside there eg you take a three month holiday in the United Kingdom first. In this instance, you would be considered ordinarily resident in the Netherlands for benefit and pension purposes.  If you don’t arrive in the Netherlands 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.

Note: If you would like to travel for more than 26 weeks before going to reside in the Netherlands you may, depending on the amount of time you have spent in New Zealand, be entitled to receive up to 100% of your payments of New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran’s Pension.  Once you arrive in the Netherlands and begin to reside there, you will need to apply under the Agreement so that payment of your New Zealand Superannuation can continue.  You can only use this option if you are entitled to receive, or are receiving New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension before departing from New Zealand.

For more information on leaving New Zealand and New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran's Pension please refer to: Retired and Going Overseas

For more information on leaving New Zealand and other New Zealand benefits, please refer to: Are You Going Overseas

Can I receive back-dated payments for New Zealand benefits or pensions?

No. You will be paid from the date that Senior Services or the Netherlands social security agencies receive your application or the date of entitlement – whichever is later.

If you qualify for an Invalid's Benefit, Widow's Benefit, Domestic Purposes Benefit for Widowers or Sickness Benefit, there may be a stand-down period. Payment begins after that period has finished.

I have been travelling through the Netherlands for more than 26 weeks while receiving payment of New Zealand Superannuation overseas.  I had the intention of returning to New Zealand at the end of my travels but have now decided to reside in the Netherlands, what should I do?

If you begin to reside in the Netherlands you will need to apply for payment to be made under the Agreement.  Please contact us immediately to make sure you continue to receive your full and correct entitlement.  We will then let you know what or if you need to do anything. 

I have been residing in the Netherlands and am currently receiving payments of New Zealand Superannuation from Senior Services International.  I have decided that I would like to travel overseas for a year.  Can I receive my New Zealand Superannuation while I do this?

The Agreement only allows you to be paid for temporary absences of up to 26 weeks.  If you intend to travel outside of the Netherlands for a period longer than 26 weeks, you will not be entitled to any payment of New Zealand Superannuation during your absence.  Please contact Senior Services International to discuss this further.

Contacts

Contacting the Netherlands

The Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB)

Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB)
Vestiging Nijmegen
Department AOW/ANW
Postbus 9032
6500 JN Nijmegen
The Netherlands

Tel: 0031 24 343 1010

Fax: 0031 24 343 1009

Web: www.svb.nl

Uitvoering Werknemersverzekeringen (UWV)

Uitvoering Werknemersverzekeringen (UWV)
Bijzondere Zaken Buitenland
Postbus 57002
1040 CC Amsterdam
The Netherldands

Tel: 0031 11 375 0350

Web: www.uwv.nl

When you write to the Netherlands agencies you should include:

• your full name
• full address
• date of birth
• a list of all the countries you have resided in
• your Netherlands reference number (if known).

Contacting New Zealand

Senior Services International
Work and Income
Ministry of Social Development
PO Box 27-178
Wellington 6141
New Zealand

Calling from New Zealand

For general benefit enquiries or to arrange a meeting	0800 559 009
For enquiries about New Zealand Superannuation	0800 552 002
For enquiries about Veteran's Pension	0800 650 656
For specific enquiries about the agreement	0800 777 227

Calling from overseas

Tel: 0064 4 978 1180

Fax: 0064 4 918 0159

Email: international.services@msd.govt.nz

Web: Seniors website