Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully, Parliament,
Wellington, New Zealand, Tuesday, January 12, 2010.
Credit:NZPA / Ross Setford.
The Government has indicated it might adjust its pension
rules so New Zealanders, who have worked and paid taxes for
decades, will be able to access their pensions from overseas.
Citizens say they are angry there are strict rules to comply
with before they can access their pensions if they choose to
retire in countries such as those in the Pacific Islands, One
News reported.
Les Priest worked in New Zealand for nearly 30 years before
moving to the Cook Islands.
But because he had not spent five continuous years in New
Zealand since turning 50 he cannot get his pension.
"This is my home, my friends are here, my family is here, why
should I want to go back for five years," he said.
The pensioner and others have campaigned the Government to
change the rules.
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said he believed
there was "very strong merit" to doing so.
However, he said the issue was paying for the health and
living costs of pensioners who would rather be in the
islands.
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