Getting a NZ benefit or pension when moving to NZ
You may be able to get a New Zealand benefit or pension when you move to New Zealand.
Even if you don’t think you can get assistance from us, please contact us as we can often help.
Please contact us before you travel
To prevent problems later on, it's best to know the rules for getting New Zealand benefits and pensions before you move to New Zealand. The rules can depend on the country or countries you've lived in.
Contact us and we'll explain how the rules apply to you and help you get your correct entitlement.
Who can get a New Zealand benefit or pension
Unless you’re from a country that has a social security agreement with New Zealand you’ll need to meet the standard rules for getting a New Zealand benefit or pension.
New Zealand has social security agreements with:
- Australia
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- Denmark
- Greece
- Republic of Ireland
- Jersey and Guernsey
- The Netherlands
If you’re from a country that has one of these agreements with New Zealand you may be able to get benefits or pensions either from New Zealand, from that country, or from both. The rules are different for each agreement country.
If you can get a state social security benefit, pension or periodic allowance from another country you must tell us. It may affect the amount you're paid for New Zealand benefits or pension.
International Social Security Agreements (Dutch text) (PDF 96.1KB)
A guide to New Zealand's social security agreements with other countries.
Residency requirements for New Zealand benefits and pensions (RTF 73.98KB)
Residency requirements you must meet when applying for a New Zealand benefit or pension.
Testing overseas benefit or pension entitlements and automatic reviewing of New Zealand benefit or pension entitlements (RTF 57.39KB)
A guide to how your, or your spouse or partner's, entitlements to overseas benefits or pensions affect your New Zealand benefit or pension.
Treatment of overseas pensions or benefits in New Zealand (PDF 181.23KB)
How your overseas pensions or benefits is treated in New Zealand.
Guides for getting benefits or pensions
Guides to getting New Zealand benefits or pensions if you've lived in countries that have social security agreements with New Zealand.
Download in PDF format:
Download in RTF format:
For more information about other countries please contact our International Services team.
Although we may refer you to International Services for some questions, please contact us if you:
- would like assistance
- aren't sure if you can get assistance
- are struggling to support yourself or your family
- would like more information.