Social Security Agreement with the United Kingdom (UK) - living in UK
If you've lived in New Zealand and now live in the United Kingdom (UK), you may be able to get some UK payments. This is because New Zealand (NZ) has an agreement with the UK to share responsibility for social security coverage.
You can't get any NZ payments under this agreement.
This agreement can help you if you either:
- are an NZ citizen
- are an NZ permanent resident, or
- have an NZ resident visa.
How this Social Security Agreement helps you
This agreement generally allows you to apply for these UK payments (paid by the International Pension Centre):
- State Pension
- Widow's Benefits and Bereavement Benefits
- Incapacity Benefits
- Guardians’ Allowance
- Child Benefit
- Job Seekers Allowance.
It also allows you to add together your periods of residence in either country so you can meet certain criteria for these payments.
Who can get these UK payments
If you live in the UK, you may be able to get UK payments if you have either:
- lived in New Zealand for long enough, or
- made enough contributions to the United Kingdom National Insurance Scheme.
You may also be able to use periods of residence in New Zealand to meet the criteria for a UK payment.
The International Pension Centre in the United Kingdom decides who can get UK benefits and pensions.
How to apply for UK payments
You must be in the United Kingdom to apply for United Kingdom payments.
You need to apply through the UK International Pension Centre.
How much you'll get for UK payments
The UK International Pension Centre will decide how much you'll be paid.
How and when you'll be paid
The UK International Pension Centre will let you know how and when you'll get paid.
You may need to open a UK bank account.