When someone getting Veteran's Pension dies

Lump sum payment

There are 2 lump sum payments available. Which payment you may be able to get depends on whether the person who's died is a veteran or not.

Person who died is a veteran

If you're the surviving partner or dependent child of a veteran who's died, you may be able to get a lump sum payment. This is $7,415.97 and not taxed. It's to help with funeral costs.

You may be able to get this lump sum payment if the veteran who died: 

• was getting Veteran's Pension when they died
• had either a
  • war disablement pension of 70% or more under the War Pensions Act 1954, or
  • disablement pension of 52% or more under the Veterans' Support Act 2014, and
• was ordinarily resident in New Zealand when they died.

The surviving partner will get the full amount of the lump sum payment. If there is no surviving partner, the lump sum payment will be split between any dependent children. 

Person who died is not a veteran 

If your partner dies, you may be able to get a lump sum payment of $5,654.89. This is not taxed and is to help with funeral costs.

You can get this lump sum payment if your partner:

• was getting Veteran's Pension when they died, and
• was ordinarily resident in New Zealand when they died.

Veteran's Pension payments continue for 28 days

As well as a lump sum payment, we may also be able to keep payments going for 28 days into the person's account who's died. Or pay it into the surviving partner's account instead.

If this happens, the amount we pay over 28 days will be deducted from any lump sum payment you receive.

Ongoing payments

What type of ongoing payments you can get from us depends on whether you're the surviving partner or dependent child.

Surviving partner

If you're the surviving partner of a veteran who's died, we'll look to see if you:

• meet the criteria for Veteran's Pension, or
• were included as a partner in their Veteran's Pension payments.

If you meet the criteria for Veteran's Pension, we'll reassess your Veteran's Pension payment. This is so we can make sure you're now getting the correct amount. You may be better off getting a different payment from us, for example NZ Super. We'll contact you to discuss your options.

If you were included as a partner in their Veteran's Pension payments, your Veteran's Pension payments may stop. It depends on your situation. We'll contact you to discuss your options.  

Surviving dependent child

There may be a surviving dependent child of a veteran who's died, who's going to be cared for by a person who's not their parent. If so, the caregiver may be able to get Orphan's Benefit or Unsupported Child's Benefit.

Orphan's Benefit

Unsupported Child's Benefit

The dependent child may also qualify for a Children's Pension from Veteran's Affairs.