Kiwi Pension

[Mukdahan Mark]

Hello fellow Kiwis.

Can anyone please help me with my pension query?

I am 65 in August and living in Thailand the past 3 years.  I have looked at the pension registration form and it looks like I have to go back to submit required paperwork?

How much deduction should I expect to have for being overseas more than the allowed 26 weeks and being based in Thailand?

Should I tell them, perhaps it's best to keep stum?

Any advise / heads-up much appreciated

Cheers

[DrJack54]

Post edited. Email address removed

[KhunHeineken]

Looks like NZ have the physical presence and time based tax residency law.  183 days. 

 

https://www.ird.govt.nz/international-tax/individuals/tax-residency-status-for-individuals

 

They already know you are out of the country. 

[Paul Catton]

Following post may be helplul.

 

Also you should be able apply from Thailand.

 

https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/seniors/superannuation/index.html

 

You can apply now if either:

• your 65th birthday is in the next 12 weeks, or
• you're already 65.

You can apply online through MyMSD, unless you live overseas.

Apply for NZ Super

Living overseas

If you live in the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau, you need to complete and sign an application form.

How to apply if you live in the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau

If you live in another country, call us or email our International Services team. We'll check if you qualify and let you know how to apply.

Our phone numbers

 

[KhunHeineken]

On 5/31/2025 at 8:01 PM, Paul Catton said:

Following post may be helplul.

 

Also you should be able apply from Thailand.

 

https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/seniors/superannuation/index.html

 

You can apply now if either:

• your 65th birthday is in the next 12 weeks, or
• you're already 65.

You can apply online through MyMSD, unless you live overseas.

Apply for NZ Super

Living overseas

If you live in the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau, you need to complete and sign an application form.

How to apply if you live in the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau

If you live in another country, call us or email our International Services team. We'll check if you qualify and let you know how to apply.

Our phone numbers

 

Your link relates to Super, but I think the member is asking about the NZ aged pension. 

 

Clarification needed by the OP. 

[Paul Catton]

4 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

Your link relates to Super, but I think the member is asking about the NZ aged pension. 

 

Clarification needed by the OP. 

All payments by the NZ Government towards the terminology of "Pension", are payments paid out as " NZ Superannuation", All elderly folk, (me, approaching fast) being post 65 years of age are entitled to the prescribed Superannuation Payment subject to their correct application,

It is not means tested, thus available to all "Citizens / Permanent Residents" who meet criteria. 

[KhunHeineken]

23 hours ago, Paul Catton said:

All payments by the NZ Government towards the terminology of "Pension", are payments paid out as " NZ Superannuation", All elderly folk, (me, approaching fast) being post 65 years of age are entitled to the prescribed Superannuation Payment subject to their correct application,

It is not means tested, thus available to all "Citizens / Permanent Residents" who meet criteria. 

Huh?  Is it a pension or superannuation?   I understand the word "pension" is sometimes used to describe receiving a superannuation payment each month, but there is a big difference between the two. 

[Paul Catton]

20 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

Huh?  Is it a pension or superannuation?   I understand the word "pension" is sometimes used to describe receiving a superannuation payment each month, but there is a big difference between the two. 

 In New Zealand, the term "pension" most commonly refers to New Zealand Superannuation, a universal, non-contributory, flat-rate pension for residents aged 65 and over upon application.. This pension is paid fortnightly and the amount you receive depends on your living situation.

[KhunHeineken]

3 hours ago, Paul Catton said:

In New Zealand, the term "pension" most commonly refers to New Zealand Superannuation,

What do they call superannuation in NZ? 

[Paul Catton]

1 hour ago, KhunHeineken said:

What do they call superannuation in NZ? 

"Superannuation", comes with a universal payment along with a "Gold Card " for use against general  "Tax Payer" funded services being heavily discounted universally for supposed contribution.

   

[KhunHeineken]

35 minutes ago, Paul Catton said:

"Superannuation", comes with a universal payment along with a "Gold Card " for use against general  "Tax Payer" funded services being heavily discounted universally for supposed contribution.

   

Great. 

 

What's your advice to the OP to be deemed an "ordinary resident" in order to apply? 

 

If he becomes an ordinary resident the moment his plane lands, as you suggest in the other thread, link please.  

[Paul Catton]

2 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

Great. 

 

What's your advice to the OP to be deemed an "ordinary resident" in order to apply? 

 

If he becomes an ordinary resident the moment his plane lands, as you suggest in the other thread, link please.  

 

Neither post are similar regarding any dynamic or circumstances.

 

Follow all legislation, as determined by both ones own Home Country (NZ) and the Proposed Host Country .

 

This "applicant"can initially apply from overseas, per instructions from the "NZ Work and Income" website.

I am under the age of having to engage this service, and perhaps dubious for veracity and deployment. Will ensure all i's dotted and t's crossed before  

     

[KhunHeineken]

52 minutes ago, Paul Catton said:

Neither post are similar regarding any dynamic or circumstances.

Both threads running have the common denominator of requiring one to be an "ordinary resident." 

 

54 minutes ago, Paul Catton said:

This "applicant"can initially apply from overseas, per instructions from the "NZ Work and Income" website.

It's my understanding the application from overseas can only be done from a SSA country, of which Thailand is not one of them.

 

Even the OP says this: "I have looked at the pension registration form and it looks like I have to go back to submit required paperwork?" 

 

Can you say when the OP will be deemed an "ordinary resident?"  Eg. is it when his plane land in NZ.