New Zealand - Pensions and benefits

If you have lived or worked in New Zealand and in Canada, or you are the survivor of someone who has lived or worked in New Zealand and in Canada, you may be eligible for pensions or benefits from New Zealand or Canada, or both.

The Agreement on Social Security between Canada and New Zealand came into force on May 1, 1997.

Available benefits

If you contributed to both the Canada Pension Plan and the New Zealand pension program, or if you lived in Canada and New Zealand, this agreement may help you qualify for:

  • Canadian old age and disability benefits
  • New Zealand old age and disability benefits

If you are the widow, widower or child of a person who contributed to the pension programs of both countries, this agreement may help you qualify for:

  • Canadian survivor benefits
  • New Zealand survivor benefits

You may qualify for a Canadian or a New Zealand benefit, or both. However, under the Agreement, the benefit paid by each country will be based solely on your creditable periods under that country’s pension program. In other words, Canada will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your periods that are creditable under Canada's pension program, and New Zealand will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your creditable periods under New Zealand's pension program.

Eligibility

Canadian benefits

The Canadian pension programs included in the Agreement are the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and the Old Age Security (OAS) program.

If you do not qualify for a Canada Pension Plan (CPP) benefit based on your contributions to the CPP, Canada will consider periods during which you lived in New Zealand after the age of 18 as periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan.

If you do not qualify for an Old Age Security pension because you have not lived in Canada for the minimum number of years, Canada will consider periods during which you resided in New Zealand after the age of 18 as periods of residence in Canada.

Note: Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) contributors

The Government of Canada’s international social security agreements cover Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan benefits only. If you contribute or have contributed to the QPP but not to the CPP, please consult the Quebec Pension Plan.

New Zealand benefits

To qualify for a benefit from New Zealand, you normally must have lived in New Zealand for a minimum number of years.

If you have not lived in New Zealand for the minimum period, to qualify for a New Zealand benefit under the Agreement, New Zealand will consider periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan after the age of 20 and periods of residence in Canada after the age of 20 as periods of residence in New Zealand.

Apply

Print and complete one of the following application forms:

If you live in Canada

If you live in Canada and want to apply for Canadian benefits, consult the Pensions in Canada.

If you live in Canada and want to apply for New Zealand benefits:

Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a Service Canada Centre, or mail it to:

International Operations
Service Canada
PO Box 250
Fredericton NB  E3B 4Z6
Canada

If you live in New Zealand

If you live in New Zealand and want to apply for Canadian benefits:

Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a social security office in New Zealand, or mail it to:

International Operations
Service Canada
PO Box 250
Fredericton NB  E3B 4Z6
Canada

New Zealand’s social security

Resources

Note: The Agreement

This page contains general information on the Agreement on Social Security between the Government of Canada and the Government of New Zealand and may not describe all the provisions that apply to your situation. If you have any questions, please contact us. In the case of a discrepancy between this page and the Agreement, the wording and provisions of the Agreement will prevail.

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