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Netherlands/MSD General Adjustment Programme
Annual Report
Purpose: To enable the processing of general adjustments to benefit rates for individuals receiving pensions from both New Zealand and the Netherlands.
Year commenced: 2003
Features: Data is transferred four times each year; from April 2011 online and previously by CD.
MSD disclosure to the Netherlands: For MSD clients in receipt of both New Zealand and Netherlands pensions, MSD provides the Netherlands Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB) with the changed superannuation payment information, the MSD client reference number and the Netherlands unique identifier.
Netherlands disclosure to MSD: SVB advises adjustments to payment rates and the ‘holiday pay' bonus.
2010/11 activity: MSD made deductions from pension payments to 3,622 people. There were 1,199 MSD clients resident in the Netherlands.
Commentary: An audit on the operation of this programme identified that the letter advising clients of changes did not include the statement informing clients of the adverse action that could be taken against them as a result of the information match. This statement was omitted during changes made during the year. MSD has committed to reinstating it by 21 November 2011. The potential adverse action is a reduction in New Zealand's contribution to the client's superannuation payments equal to the increase in the Netherlands contribution to the payments. An online transfer was granted in April 2011. Previously, data was sent by CD.
Compliance: Not compliant.
Technical information
| Authorising provisions | Social Welfare (Transitional Provisions) Act 1990, ss.19C and 19D and Social Welfare (Reciprocity with the Netherlands) Order 2003, Article 216[1] |
| Year authorised/commenced | 2003/2003 |
| Programme type | Updating data |
| Unique identifiers | Netherlands and NZ social welfare numbers |
System description
This programme permits information to be disclosed from New Zealand to the Netherlands and from the Netherlands to New Zealand to coincide with across-the-board changes in superannuation rates.
Each year in April, New Zealand sends client information on CD to the Netherlands Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB). This information is used by SVB to update records on superannuants who receive benefits from both countries and adjust it's payments to recipients of New Zealand Superannuation who are resident in the Netherlands.
Twice each year (in January and July), MSD sends SVB a file on CD-ROM containing only the New Zealand and Netherlands unique identifiers for all persons known to be receiving pensions from the Netherlands while resident in New Zealand. SVB then creates a new file updating the information with data about Netherlands' rate adjustments. The file is sent back to New Zealand, where MSD updates its records about those individuals' Netherlands pension rates, and adjusts Superannuation payments accordingly.
In May each year, MSD sends SVD another similar file. SVB creates a new file on CD containing information on the ‘Holiday Pay' bonus payable to Netherlands pensioners living in New Zealand. The file is run through the SWIFTT system as a disbursement list for those clients who receive their Netherlands and New Zealand entitlement through the Special Banking Option operated by the MSD.
Historical activity
| 2007/08 | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | |
| MSD clients affected by pension deductions | 3,423 | 3,552 | 3,536 |
| MSD clients in Netherlands | 1,055 | 1,066 | 1,119 |
[1] Although not information matching provisions listed in Privacy Act, Schedule 3, the matches operated under these provisions (programmes 17, 19, 20 and 21) are required to be treated as if they were authorised information matching programmes for most purposes - see Social Welfare (Transitional Provisions) Act 1990, s.19D(3)(b).