9. PETER BROWN (Deputy Leader—NZ First) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
What progress, if any, has been made on the investigation into improving options for senior citizens eligible for overseas pensions as well as New Zealand superannuation?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
On 24 November this year, officials provided a report to the Minister of Finance and myself on a range of 15 options to modernise the direct deduction policy where a superannuitant has an overseas pension similar to New Zealand superannuation, and to address issues associated with the payment of New Zealand superannuation overseas. The Minister of Finance and I met on 1 December and directed officials to report further to us by the end of February 2006 on a subset of options presented in the November report. I intend to bring proposals to Cabinet in the first half of 2006.
Does the Minister accept that this is a very important issue to many overseas people now resident in this country, and can he foreshadow any of the likely changes that will be made in the report when it is finally announced?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
I do accept that, and I can confirm that nine of the 15 options presented in the November report concern the direct deduction policy, and six options concern the portability of New Zealand superannuation overseas. I intend to bring concrete proposals to Cabinet in the first half of the new year.