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Purpose: To enable the transfer of applications for benefits and pensions, and advise of changes in circumstances between New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
UK disclosure to MSD: includes full name, date of birth, marital status, address, entitlement information Social Security numbers.
MSD disclosure to UK: includes full name, date of birth, marital status, address, entitlement and New Zealand Client Number.
Compliance: Not Compliant – Notice of Information Matching letter advising of process around changes to entitlement not sent, but adverse action letters advising of actual changes are sent.
| Authorising provisions | Social Security Act 2018, s.380[1] and Social Welfare (Reciprocity with the United Kingdom) Order 1990 |
| Year authorised | 1983 |
| Year commenced | 2013 |
| Programme type | Confirming eligibility |
| Unique identifiers | UK and NZ social welfare numbers |
When a client or their partner may be eligible for a United Kingdom State Pension (UKP) MSD request they apply to receive it. If they have already applied to receive a UKP or another benefit paid by the DWP, MSD request they complete an Information Release Form (IRF). The IRF provides their consent for their information to be shared from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to the MSD, and from the MSD to the DWP. The IRF is sent to the DWP by post with a liaison form.
If the client or their partner has not already applied to receive the UKP, MSD will provide whoever may be eligible with a paper application form for the UKP and relevant documentation including an IRF. The application, liaison form and IRF are all posted to the DWP on their behalf.
If the client or their partner advises us that they are already receiving a UKP or another benefit paid by the DWP, we request they complete an IRF. An electronic copy of the IRF is sent to the DWP. This is accompanied by an information request about the payments the DWP are making to the client or partner. Similar details as those on the liaison form will be given in order that the DWP can identify the individual correctly.
In addition to the application process, information is sent shared between MSD and DWP that affects the NZ or UK payments: For example, when payment rates are changed or a change in a client’s circumstances has occurred.
Clients can choose to receive their UK pension directly, in which case their New Zealand Superannuation and other benefit payments are reduced by the amount payed by the UK. Alternatively, clients can opt to receive the unabated New Zealand benefits and have the UK payment made into a Special Banking Option bank account, effectively reimbursing New Zealand via a direct debit arrangement.
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
| Number of clients | 67,673 | 66,286 | 60,418 | 59,761 |
| UK pension in $NZ (annualised) | 281,433,938 | 271,643,539 | 268,816,002 | 298,701,989 |
| % using Special Banking Option | 77% | 77% | 77% | 77% |
The utility of this provision was assessed in a report: Ministry of Social Development international social welfare reciprocity agreements (July 2019).
