Tēnā koe Jason Wu,

Thank you for your email received 17 July 2025, under the Official Information Act 1982. Your request has been forwarded to the appropriate officials at National Office to respond.

Ngā manaakitanga,

Official Information Team | Ministerial and Executive Services
Ministry of Social Development

Our Purpose:
We help New Zealanders to help themselves to be safe, strong and independent
Ko ta mātou he whakamana tangata kia tū haumaru, kia tū kaha, kia tū motuhake

-----Original Message-----
From: Jason Wu <[FOI #31624 email]>
Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2025 3:32 AM
To: OIA_Requests (MSD) <[MSD request email]>
Subject: Official Information request - Inquiry about Taiwanese pensions which are subject to direct deduction.

Dear Ministry of Social Development,

Subject: Inquiry Regarding Deductions of Taiwanese Pensions Under the Social Security Act 2018

Dear Sir/Madam,

This correspondence concerns the matter of direct deductions from Taiwanese pensions under Sections 187-191 of the Social Security Act 2018 (formerly Section 70 of the Social Security Act 1964). Please provide the following information:

1. The current full list of these Taiwanese pensions.

2. The total number of clients and the annual amount being deducted currently.

3. What specific standards or requirements are used to determine whether a particular Taiwanese pension is subject to these deductions?

4. If the deduction falls under Section 187 of the 2018 Act, does MSD need to actively demonstrate that a pension meets the criteria outlined in subparagraphs a) through e)? This includes confirming that these pensions are not Government occupational pensions, and "not" voluntary contributions?

5. Regarding entirely voluntary pension schemes, if evidence supports this characterization and the MSD is unable to prove that said scheme is mandated, is direct deduction still permissible?

6. Given that the issue of direct pension deductions relates to a civil matter, should the 'balance of probabilities' standard apply? Does the MSD need to obtain evidence proving a pension satisfies the Social Security Act 2018 requirements *before* including it on the deduction list? My concern is that, without such factual evidence, individuals could be incorrectly subjected to excessive deductions.

Your prompt attention to this matter and provision of the requested information would be greatly appreciated.

Yours faithfully,

Jason Wu

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