Frequently Asked Questions:
- What’s this all about?
- In 2007 the Government tasked the Law Commission with reviewing the War Pensions Act 1954. As a result, the Law Commission has produced a discussion document Towards a New Veterans’ Entitlements Scheme. The Law Commission has asked NZDF to consult its personnel over the implications of any changes to the War Pensions Act and provide the Law Commission with feedback. This is the first step in a journey to reform the war pensions system which will affect all veterans.
- But why should I care?
- With around a third of currently serving NZDF personnel – regular and reserve forces - being veterans, this is likely to affect you. NZDF, in keeping with its lifelong commitment to look after its people – past, present and future - will be providing a response. NZDF wants its personnel to be recognised and adequately rewarded for their service through the veterans’ benefits and entitlements they receive. But we need your help to ensure your interests are looked after.
- NZDF looks after me now, and ACC might later – so why bother?
- It might be hard for you to imagine today, but later in life after your career in the Defence Force is over you may well experience health effects and other conditions related to your Service. While ACC might cover some of these, its coverage stops at age 65 so there are no guarantees. However, as a veteran with eligible service in a recognised war or emergency you can apply for War Disablement Pension.
- The War Pensions Act 1954 ensures that aspects of the decision-making process favour the veteran. The War Disablement Pension is a tax-free lifetime entitlement. War Disablement Pensions are not considered as income when assessing entitlement to other forms of income support. The amount payable is reviewed annually in line with the movement in the Consumer Price Index.
- Are the Law Commission looking at these entitlements and other allowances and concessions available to veterans?
Yes - the Law Commission has signalled all allowances and concessions are under active review and consideration as part of this process. These include:
- Compensation for loss of income – for veterans who are unable to work because of injury or illness
- Allowances – for necessities such as needing a carer, clothing, travel, and motor vehicle loans
- Additional Allowances for Gallantry Awards
- Rehabilitation – assistance beyond ACC benefits
- Medical Care – comprehensive health care for disabilities and illnesses arising from eligible service
- Family Support – pensions, allowances, or educational benefits for surviving dependents in the event of a veteran’s death or disability.
- I’m not a veteran – should I be interested in this?
- Quite possibly! Such fundamental questions being considered by the Law Commission include:
- Who is a ‘veteran’?
- What service should entitle a person to benefits?
- How should your families be taken care of?
- So perhaps you might hold strong feelings that your service should be counted even though you never participated in a recognised war or emergency? Or that the basic definition of “veteran” needs to be reconsidered? When you look at the range of entitlements available to veterans you may believe there are issues of fairness that some Service personnel (or even Civilians) are eligible for benefits that others are excluded from? This is your chance to voice your opinions!
- Does the Law Commission have any idea what the new scheme might look like?
- The Law Commission’s starting point for the discussion paper has been to develop a set of overarching principles – high among these being the provision of greater entitlements for veterans than are available to others. The logic is simple: a career in the Armed Forces differs from all other occupations. People are required to subject themselves to the risk of death or injury, and they are obligated by law to obey orders and, as such, they have a duty to fight if necessary. Therefore, there is a place for a special allowance to be paid to people who have been put in harm’s way by the State and suffered as a result. But what this ‘special allowance’ might look like, and how it might be administered is what they want to hear from people like you about.
- What do you want me to do?
- Decisions being made today about veterans’ pensions will likely affect your future. This is your chance to exercise your voice, and your choice. There are three easy options for taking part:
- Fill in a simple online survey;
- Participate in a ‘Your Voice, Your Choice’ roadshow session coming to a camp or base near you; or
- Make a submission yourself, or as a group together, directly to the Law Commission.
- How do I contact the Law Commission?
- The Law Commission will accept written submissions on their discussion paper until 28 November. These can be sent to:
Lecretia Seales
PO Box 2590
Wellington 6001
- Or veterans@lawcom.govt.nz
This page was last reviewed on 27 April 2009, and is current.