Refugees or protected persons residence criteria to get NZ Super and Veteran's Pension

You need to have lived in New Zealand for a certain amount of time to get NZ Super or Veteran's Pension. Find out how we work this out if you're recognised as a refugee or protected person.

You must have lived in NZ for a certain number of years from age 20. This must include 5 years from age 50.

These years (including the 5 years from age 50) do not need to be consecutive.

Find out how many years you need

Select the age you were when you started living in NZ to find out how many years you need.

In each of these situations, you still need to have lived in New Zealand for at least 5 years since you turned 50.

Information

If you want to talk about your situation, contact our International Services team.

How many years you need is based on your date of birth. 

Use the table on the 'Who can get NZ Super' page to find out how many years you need based on your date of birth.

Example - started living in New Zealand at age 40

You started living in New Zealand as a refugee at age 40. You apply for NZ Super when you turn 65.

You were born on 15 February 1980 so you must have lived in New Zealand for at least 20 years. The 20 years must include 5 years since you turned 50.

You have lived in New Zealand for 25 years, including 5 years since you turned 50. This means you meet the residence criteria for NZ Super.

You need the shorter time of either:

  • the number of years between when you started living in New Zealand and your 65th birthday, or
  • between 10 and 20 years - use the table on the 'Who can get NZ Super' page to find out how many years you need based on your date of birth.

Example - started living in New Zealand at age 50

You started living in New Zealand as a refugee at age 50. You apply for NZ Super when you turn 65. Your date of birth is 10 September 1978.

The total number of years you must have lived in New Zealand is the shorter time of either:

  • the 15 years between when you started living in New Zealand and your 65th birthday, or
  • 20 years (based on your date of birth).

The shorter of these is 15 years, so this is the number of years you would need. The 15 years must include 5 years since you turned 50.

This means you would meet the residence criteria for NZ Super.

You need to have lived in New Zealand for at least 10 years.

Example - started living in New Zealand at age 60

You started living in New Zealand as a refugee at age 60. You apply for NZ Super when you turn 65.

You've only lived in New Zealand for 5 years, from 60-65. This means you won't meet the residence criteria for NZ Super until you turn 70.

Don't meet the required years

You may be able to use other countries to meet this residence criteria if:

  • they are a country that has a Social Security Agreement with New Zealand, or
  • they are a New Zealand realm country (the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau).
Using SSA countries to meet residence criteria for NZ Super
Using NZ Realm countries to meet residence criteria for NZ Super