We posed the following question to Work and Income:
"After a superannuant has returned to NZ from overseas after 25 weeks holiday
how long must one remain in NZ before leaving again ,
before jeopardising the Superannuation entitlement".
Response:
A person can be absent from New Zealand and continue to receive payment of
New Zealand Superannuation for up to 26 weeks provided they remain eligible
for New Zealand Superannuation during the period of absence.
There is no set period of time that a person can return and remain in New Zealand
before leaving the country again. ?
The person must remain an ordinarily resident in New Zealand during any absence.
That is, they normally live in New Zealand, consider it to be their home and
they intend to stay here.
A person would not qualify for New Zealand Superannuation if they are not ordinarily
residence in New Zealand.
That is, they are regularly spending 26 weeks overseas and return to New Zealand for
only short periods of time such as to visit family or for a holiday.
People receiving New Zealand Superannuation can be absent from New Zealand and
continue to receive payment for up to 26 weeks provided they return
to New Zealand within 30 weeks.
If the person is overseas for 30 weeks or more there is no payment for that period
from
when the person left New Zealand,
unless their return to New Zealand is delayed
due to circumstances beyond their control,
that could not have been foreseen before departure.
Payment of New Zealand Superannuation can only be made for the first 26 weeks if the
extended absence was caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the person’s control.
Overseas medical treatment or humanitarian work
A person may continue to receive New Zealand Superannuation for a longer period
if they are absent due to medical reasons or humanitarian work.
The information can be found on our website www.msd.govt.nz on the following link.
http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/manuals-and-procedures/income_support/main_benefits/
new_zealand_superannuation/changes_and_reviews_-_new_zealand_superannuation/absence_
from_new_zealand_nz_superannuation.htm#P9_107
Advice of departure
A person is obliged to advise Work and Income of any change in their circumstances
that may affect the payment of their New Zealand Superannuation, for example,
if they are going to be absent from New Zealand.
| Home | Return to 2006/2007 Additions index |