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Registration for Pension Bonus Scheme (PBS) 065-07010010

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Forms

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Comparable Foreign Payments and New Zealand

The New Zealand Agreement on Social Security differs from all other Agreements in that if a registered member of the PBS was to pursue their entitlement to New Zealand (NZ) Superannuation (New Zealand's equivalent to Australia's Age Pension) the NZ authorities would require the person to lodge a claim for Australian Age Pension. If the claim for Age Pension is granted, even at Current Zero Rate (due to the direct deduction of the NZ payment) the person would no longer be qualified at any time for a Pension Bonus Payment.

Examples

Meeting work test requirements for backdating registration date

This table contains examples of meeting the work test requirements for backdating a customer's registration date for Pension Bonus Scheme (PBS).

Example	Description
1	Example of not meeting the work test requirements in the pre-application period When a customer lodges a late registration (more than 13 weeks after their Age Pension qualification date) the registration can be taken from the date it is lodged provided the customer has met the work test requirements (or been a non-accruing member) during the pre-application period. The registration may also be backdated to the customer's Age Pension qualification date if they meet the special factors that would allow the registration to be backdated. John's date of qualification for Age Pension occurs on 1 February 2001 and John applies to register for PBS on 2 January 2004. John worked a 35 hour week from 1 February 2001 until 30 June 2003. Therefore, John satisfies the work test over the part of the pre-application period from 1 February 2001 to 31 January 2003 and would have accrued 2 full bonus years. During the period 1 February 2003 to 30 June 2003 John worked 735 hours (21 weeks x 35 hours). Although work ceased on 30 June 2003 John failed the PBS work test on 6 November 2003 because 735 hours of work = 279 PBS days (because 960 hours of work = 365 PBS days so there are 2.63 hours in a PBS day and 1 February + 279 days = 6 November). John applies to register for PBS on 2 January 2004. Therefore, John's pre-application period ends on 1 January 2004. As the work test was failed on 6 November 2003 John has not met the work test for the entire pre-application period and the application for registration cannot be accepted and it should be rejected.
2	Example of meeting the work test requirements in the pre-application period In the example above if John had met the work test for the entire pre-application period the date of registration could either be the date it was lodged - 2 January 2004 or the date of qualification for Age Pension - 1 February 2001, depending on the circumstances of the case. If special factors exist, the discretion would generally be exercised in the customer's favour to backdate the registration to date of qualification for Age Pension.
3	Example of using partner's work to meet work test when partner has previously claimed Age Pension but customer hasn't When Bob turned age 65 and was working casual hours and could not guarantee the 20 hours per week minimum requirement to become a member of the PBS, so claimed the Age Pension. Bob's partner, Mary was below Age Pension age at that time and worked part-time 10 hours per week. Bob found full-time work 4 months later and Age Pension was cancelled because their combined income was above the limit. When Mary turned Age Pension age a year later Mary retired from work and their combined income reduced to below the limit. Bob was still working full-time and intended to continue working for at least another year. Mary could either claim Age Pension (part rate) or defer Age Pension and register for the PBS using Bob's work to meet the work test. Both Bob and Mary would need to register in the Scheme even though Bob will never be paid a bonus because Bob had previously been paid Age Pension.