Sepuloni CarmelNEW ZEALAND SUPERANNUATION AND VETERAN'S PENSION LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILLThird ReadingHon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development): I move That the New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran's Pension Legislation Amendment Bill be now read a third time.The New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran's Pension Legislation Amendment Bill is an important step in ensuring our superannuation system reflects our contemporary society. From 9 November 2020 different rates of superannuation will continue to be paid based on whether a person is single or in a relationship but someone will not be able to receive superannuation because their partner does. They will need to meet the age and residence criteria themselves unless they are already included in their partner's superannuation at the time the bill commences. If someone receives a Government-administered overseas pension it will continue to be deducted from their own New Zealand superannuation or veteran's pension but if one partner in a couple gets an overseas pension the bill means that it won't be deducted from their partner's superannuation unless one partner is included as a non-qualified partner. These changes reflect the change we've seen in society away from the male breadwinner model where women were not expected to work outside the home and would be dependent on someone who might be forced to retire at pension age. They reinforce the core settings and purpose of New Zealand superannuation and veteran's pension while contributing to their sustainability.In the future partners of superannuitants or veterans pensioners like all New Zealanders will be supported through the welfare system if and when eligible. The bill makes some changes to legislation regarding income tests hospital rates and special disability allowances to ensure these work as expected when a couple receive benefits paid under two different Acts. This bill also makes a range of improvements to the clarity and consistency of policy and legislation. The bill clarifies that if a person made voluntary contributions to a Government-administered overseas pension scheme the proportion of the overseas pension that is based on those voluntary contributions won't be deducted from their New Zealand superannuation or veteran's pension. The bill also includes for the first time a provision for people who volunteer overseas with a secular charitable organisation to have that period of service counted towards the residence requirements. There's already a provision like this for missionaries and the bill clarifies that missionary work should have some connection to a New Zealand organisation to count towards the residence requirements.Single people who live alone in a self-contained mobile home will be able to receive the living alone rate. The current practice of setting the net weekly amount of superannuation for a couple who both qualify at no less than 66 percent of the net average weekly wage will be protected in legislation so it cannot be lowered without Parliament's agreement. These changes are important for the groups who are affected and in the case of protecting the current wage link for the long-term stability of New Zealand superannuation and veteran's pension.I want to briefly address the fact that this bill was originally intended to commence on 1 July 2020 and that the commencement has had to be delayed until November 2020. This has been unavoidable due to the need for the Ministry of Social Development to deal with a significant increase in demand for services due to COVID-19 and to introduce a number of complex products and services during this unprecedented event. However while it might be happening a little later than expected I'm proud that this bill will make important steps to modernise and simplify New Zealand superannuation and veteran's pension. I know that a number of MPs across the House have been lobbied on some of the issues addressed in this bill not least of which is the spousal deduction policy. It's always good when we have instances where parties across the House can agree on legislative change. This is one of those instances so I do acknowledge all the parties in the House for their support and I commend this bill to the House.