Veteran's Pension

You can apply for a Veteran’s Pension if you:

• are 65 or older
• are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
• normally live in New Zealand, and have spent at least:
  • 10 years in NZ since you turned 20, and
  • 5 years in NZ since you turned 50.
• served in the NZ Armed Forces, and
• have qualifying operational service.

List of qualifying operational service (PDF 124KB)

You can apply for a Veteran's Pension 8 weeks before you turn 65. Download the form from Work and Income.

Veteran's Pension application form (PDF 224KB)

Veteran's Pension — Partner application form (PDF 539KB) 

You need to include certified copies of:

• 1 form of government-issued ID, such as your driver licence or passport if you were born in NZ, or
• proof that you are allowed to live in NZ if you were born overseas — such as your citizenship certificate, and
• 2 other documents supporting your identity, such as your marriage certificate, power or phone bill — at least one of these documents must be more than 2 years old
• proof of any name change
• a form or letter from Inland Revenue showing your IRD number
• proof of bank account details, such as a bank statement.

If you have a partner you need to provide their ID as well.

You also need to provide:

• your service number
• the dates you served
• when and where you served overseas.

You'll need to let Work and Income know what tax code you want to use for your Veteran's Pension.

Choose the right tax code

Once you've completed the form

Post it to:

Veteran’s Pension Centre

PO Box 5515

Wellington 6145

New Zealand

Dates

The date you apply for your Veteran's Pension is important. You get paid from that date or on the date you become eligible for the pension, whichever is later. If you apply after you turn 65, you won't be back-paid.

You have 20 working days after you first apply to give Work and Income any other documents needed to complete your application. Otherwise you may need to apply again. Contact them if you need more time.

Freephone: 0800 650 656 (NZ only)

Freefax: 0800 999 996 (NZ only)

Email: veteranspension@msd.govt.nz

If you're deaf, hearing-impaired or find it hard to communicate by phone you can contact them on:

Deaf-link freefax: 0800 621 621 (NZ only)

TTY: 0800 111 113

Email: MSD_Deaf_Services@msd.govt.nz

The Veteran's Pension is paid fortnightly at the same rate as NZ Super.

Veteran's Pension current payment rates

The amount you receive depends on:

• whether you are single, married or in a relationship
• your living situation if you're single
• whether your partner is included in your Veteran’s Pension payments or not
• any overseas benefit or pension you get.

If you decide to include your partner in your payments, any income either of you earn can affect how much you receive.

NZ Superannuation, Veteran's Pension and overseas pensions

Tax and the Veteran's Pension

You pay tax on the Veteran's Pension. The amount you're taxed depends on whether you get any other income. 

Income you pay tax on

You get extra benefits if you get a Veteran's Pension rather than NZ Super.

• You automatically get a Community Services Card.
• Your pension isn't reduced if you need long-term hospital care.
• After your death, your partner and family may be able to get other financial help, such as the Surviving Spouse or Partner Pension.

Community Services Card

Surviving Spouse or Partner pension

When you die

Your spouse or partner will get a lump sum when you die if you had been assessed with a whole-person impairment of 52% or more and you got:

• a Disablement Pension
• an Independence Allowance, or
• a Lump Sum for Permanent Impairment.

If your partner has already died, the lump sum will be divided equally between your children.

There may also be other assistance your family can get from Veterans' Affairs.

Lump sum payment rates

Veterans' Affairs support for veterans and their families

If you're receiving the Veteran's Pension as the partner of a veteran rather than as a veteran yourself, some things are different.

If your partner dies

You'll receive a lump sum when your partner dies if they had been assessed with a whole-person impairment of 52% or more and also got a:

• Disablement Pension
• Independence Allowance
• Lump Sum for Permanent Impairment.

There may also be other assistance you can get from Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs support for veterans and their families 

If you remarry or start a new relationship

If you receive a Veteran's Pension as the partner of a veteran who died, your pension will stop if you:

• remarry
• enter into a civil union; or
• start a new de facto relationship.