New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran's Pension obligations
There are things you need to do when you're getting New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super) or Veteran's Pension. If you don't do them, your payment could reduce or stop.
Tell us if something changes
You must tell us if you:
- have changes to personal details, eg:
- have changes to your living situation, eg:
- marriage or separation
- enter or end a civil union
- start or end a de facto relationship
- start or stop living alone
- intend to live overseas
- intend to travel overseas for longer than 26 weeks
- are admitted to or discharged from hospital
- have been granted an overseas benefit or pension
- are imprisoned / held in custody on remand
- have any other change that may affect your NZ Super or Veteran's Pension entitlement or rate.
If your partner is included in your NZ Super or Veteran's Pension
You also need to tell us if either your partner or yourself
- have a change in work situation, e.g. starting paid part-time, casual or full-time work
- have become self employed or start a business
- have a boarder or renter that moves in or out, or the payments you get from them change
- have other changes to you or your partner's income or financial circumstances.
If you included your partner in your payments before 9 November 2020, your partner also needs to tell us about changes.
Obligations for partners included in NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension
Getting other payments from us
If you're getting other payments from us, eg Accommodation Supplement or Disability Allowance, or your partner is getting a benefit, there are other obligations you need to meet as well, eg you need to tell us if you intend to travel overseas for any length of time.
Obligations if you're getting other payments from us
If you don't meet your obligations
If you don't tell us about changes in your life that might affect your NZ Super or Veteran's Pension entitlement, then:
- your NZ Super or Veteran's Pension may be reviewed and stopped
- you may have to pay back the total amount of any overpayment that you've received
- we may impose a penalty (up to 3 times the value of the overpayment)
- you may be prosecuted and fined and/or imprisoned.