[JoanneG]

That's anyone over around 60 or with relatives around the same age.

My mum is 63 and I am hoping that after visiting us in the future she may choose to join us. She has always wanted to leave Britain anyway but lost her husband this year and does not want to go to any of the places they looked at together.

She is already asking questions about Pensions and the Health Service & Visas.

She is a young 63, fit and healthy, still works as a nurse and goes to a gym regularly on top of helping to run a small swimming school.

Unfortunately, she is due to have a hip replacement sometime soon due to arthritis and also sometimes has flare ups of pancreatitis.

Would this prevent her from passing the medical or getting Health Insurance?

[Mickstim]

Hi Joanne

We are going as sponsored parents, and although I can't answer your questions with any sure knowledge I do know that people are going who have had heart surgery etc. and believe that the main criteria is that you are not going to cost the NZ govt. a fortune in health care. My own understanding of that would be that once your mum has had a hip replacement she will not need ongoing health care for that. I don't know what pancreatitis involves but if it isn't anything very expensive I doubt if it would be a big issue.

I do hope it works out well for you (and for her) and if you need any more info on the sponsored parent application process etc. please do PM me.

Barb

[JoanneG]

Thank you Barb & Michael.

You have put my mind at rest. There are ongong drugs after heart surgery so I doubt the few medications she has for pancreatitis would be a problem as they are only used as and when required.

There might be more questions as we progress so I'll PM as they come up.

Good Luck with your move.

[Cat Woman]

Hi
I'm hoping to sponsor my parents too but I understand I have to have been here in NZ for over 3 years before I can do that.
My parents are worried about their pensions as I think they are taxed by NZ IRD. It seems really unfair that they won't get their pension increases once they've left the country and then they are taxed on what's left!!!
Would like some advice on the process if possible????

[JoanneG]

Hi Catwoman,

Yes, that's true they can literally apply for residency on your 3rd year anniversary.

Pensions are taxed here too so there might not be much difference and don't forget that money will effectively be worth more in NZ. Someone with more knowledge might be able to give us more info on the taxes ??????

Hopefully they will have a property to sell too which depending on what they buy in NZ should give them some money to invest in NZ for income.

Something I spotted the other day while doing some EOI stuff is that close relatives will be allowed a 6 month temporary visitors visa which is good news for the first 3 years!

We are planning on consulting a specialist pensions advisor to transfer our own pensions so we will probably get their help with my mum too.

[Mickstim]

Hi Catwoman

The pension freeze is a problem but from our understanding there is a reciprocal agreement in place between NZ and UK so that you can choose to claim the NZ pension (and forfeit the UK one to them) should it ever be greater than your UK pension. I have been trying to find the link my son sent me but seem to have lost it. I would be interested if anyone else knows about this!

Our solution is to buy a property in NZ for considerably less than we hope to get for our UK house and use the interest on the investment to supplement our penions. Hopefully that will provide a reasonable income for us!

Bxx

[Mickstim]

OK - just found the link. I hope this helps!

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/benefits/recip_health_pdfs/2005/sa8-oct05.pdf

Bxx

[JoanneG]

Thanks Barb & Michael.

This is a really useful document.