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Annual Report
Purpose: To enable the transfer of applications for benefits and pensions, and advice of changes in circumstances, between New Zealand and the Netherlands.
MSD disclosure to the Netherlands: MSD forwards the appropriate application forms to the Netherlands Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB). The forms include details such as the full names, dates of birth, addresses and MSD client reference numbers.
Netherlands disclosure to MSD: SVB responds with the SVB reference number.
Compliance: Compliant.
Technical information
| Authorising provisions | Social Security Act 2018, s.380 and Social Welfare (Reciprocity with the Netherlands) Order 2003[1] |
| Year authorised | 2003 |
| Year commenced | 2003 |
| Programme type | Confirming eligibility |
| Unique identifiers | Netherlands and NZ social welfare numbers |
System description
This is one of four programmes relating to arrangements between the Netherlands and New Zealand and can be considered the 'foundation' match because it is used when people are entered into the respective systems.
When a person first applies in New Zealand for a pension and indicates possible entitlement to a Netherlands pension, MSD forward the appropriate completed forms and supporting documents (or confirmed copies) to the Netherlands. When MSD receive confirmation back from the Netherlands, the client's record can be updated in SWIFTT. Changes in eligibility with potential adverse consequences will cause SWIFTT to generate a notice of adverse action (under the Social Security Regulations 2018 sections 243 or 244 - similar to a s.181 notice). This is sent to the affected individuals enabling them to correct any mismatch and confirm their entitlements.
Superannuitants living in either country may have their periods of residence in both countries combined for the purposes of eligibility for benefits.
Recent activity
| 2019/20 | 2020/21 | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | |
| NZ residents with Netherlands pensions (as at July) | 4,667 | 4,824 | 4,713 | 4,697 |
| NZ Superannuation recipients living in Netherlands (as at July) | 1,413 | 1,292 | 1,324 | 1,287 |
| Notices of adverse action (includes some corrections to Netherlands Customer Reference Numbers) |
247 | 29 | 136 | 258 |
| Challenges | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Notices of adverse action include corrections to SVB reference numbers.
The utility of this provision was assessed in the report Australia and the Netherlands Matches (July 2013) and again in Ministry of Social Development international social welfare reciprocity agreements (July 2019).
