By Nan

I am a woman. I am a New Zealand citizen. I was born in Wellington in 1944.

Some months I receive my full New Zealand Superannuation.

Some months I do not.

I have never changed my citizenship, nor have I become a dual citizen of any other country.

Some months I receive my full New Zealand Superannuation.

Some months I do not.

I have fulfilled all residency and other requirements to receive this full pension.

Some months I receive my full New Zealand Superannuation.

Some months I do not.

I have no criminal record. I have never received a traffic ticket or even a parking ticket.

Some months I receive my full New Zealand Superannuation.

Some months I do not.

I have spent all my personal tax-paying life in New Zealand.

Some months I receive my full New Zealand Superannuation.

Some months I do not.

I have brought up two good, productive, hard working, decent sons. I have volunteered in their schools and in other areas of my community.

Some months I receive my full New Zealand Superannuation.

Some months I do not.

I am a loved and loving wife, mother and grandmother. I am a good friend, a good neighbour, a good citizen.

Some months I receive my full New Zealand Superannuation.

Some months I do not.

WHY?

I am married to an American and have been since 1963. We have lived in New Zealand since 1976.

He has a small United States Social Security pension. I personally receive no benefit from the United States.

My country penalises me by deducting money from my Superannuation, by “means-testing” against my husband’s foreign pension when the US dollar is strong.

They tell me the reason is: “This is so that you are not placed in a better position than a couple who have lived and worked in New Zealand all their lives.” How patently ridiculous!

Some months I receive my full New Zealand Superannuation.

Some months I do not.

WE NEED CHANGE.

(Story written in 2010. Nan had to put up with this treatment by MSD/WINZ until 9 November 2020 when the Spousal Provision policy stopped being applied.)