NZ Pension Eligibility

[Mark Hopkins]

My 65th Birthday is in about 4 months and I've been living in Thailand for 3 years now.  Work & Income in NZ tell me if I'm not going to be living in NZ That I have to apply for this a minimum of 7 weeks before leaving NZ.

I am thinking about not telling them I'm overseas already and see if my pension is automatically paid into my NZ bank.

Has anyone had experience in this area please??

[CharlieH]

MOVED to correct forum

[Paul Catton]

On 3/14/2025 at 3:07 PM, Mark Hopkins said:

My 65th Birthday is in about 4 months and I've been living in Thailand for 3 years now.  Work & Income in NZ tell me if I'm not going to be living in NZ That I have to apply for this a minimum of 7 weeks before leaving NZ.

I am thinking about not telling them I'm overseas already and see if my pension is automatically paid into my NZ bank.

Has anyone had experience in this area please??

 

Hi Mark,

 

I would advise against trying to garner the system for your access to the current guaranteed NZ Superannuation payment system.

 

The NZ Superannuation doesn't automatically fall into your bank account when you actually reach 65 years of age, regardless if you have a current bank account in NZ.

 

An application by you, will still be required for a WINZ entry, complete with all "factual details", regarding this WINZ Benefit Payment. (it ceased to be a "NZ Pension under guarantee" years ago).

 

The reason, presumably, WINZ requires this extended lead time, is for calculations and eligibility of  processing payments to a non-binary "Overseas Country".

Further calculations and verification based upon total years (spent in NZ) establishing the amount that you will then receive. 

@xylophone@Patong2, may well be able to provide further detail.

 

Never get caught on the wild side, A vast number of recipients of NZ Superannuates holidaying overseas and thus unable to return home due to the "Covid-19 Lock down of NZ" had their benefit (NZ pension) cancelled and left them financially distraught.

 

Kind regards

Paul