On 1 January 2013 the Agreement between Republic of Latvia and Australia on Social Security entered into force (hereinafter – Agreement).
In relation to Latvia the Agreement stipulates personal social insurance, where a person from Latvia is working in Australia, right to old age pension and the survivor’s pension, as well as its right to benefits like social security in case of old age and survivor’s pensions, death grant in case of death of the person receiving Latvia’s pension and one-time allowance for the deceased’s spouse in case of death of the person receiving Latvia’s old age pension.
In relation to Australia the Agreement stipulates personal social insurance, where a person from Australia is working in Latvia and right to old age pension.
The Agreement covers mostly pension issues.
Right to Australia’s pension by persons residing in Latvia
Where an inhabitant of Latvia has been living permanently in Australia, according to the Agreement he/she shall be entitled to requesting old age pension from Australia.
To qualify for Australia’s pension, you must first satisfy age and residence requirements and other requirements (for more information see www.humanservices.gov.au).
Where the minimum residence period is less than stipulated by Australian law, in order to determine a person’s right to pension the Australian party may use the Latvian insurance periods approved by the competent institution of Latvia.
Australia’s old age pension is calculated, considering the applicant’s and his/ her spouse (where applicable) income, properties and other requirements.
Where at the time of the submission of the pension application the person resides in Latvia, then in order to be entitled to the Australia’s pension, by summing the insurance periods, the minimum accrued permanent working period in Australia (residence time in Australia from the age of 16 until reaching retirement age) shall be at least 12 months, of which at least six shall be uninterrupted.
To receive Australia’s pension a person residing in Latvia shall address State Social Insurance Agency of Latvia (hereinafter – SSIA) and request application forms on the granting of Australia’s pension. Filled in forms and relevant pension granting documents shall be sent by SSIA to the competent institution of Australia for its review. You may also contact the competent institution of Australia – Department of Human Services – and send the pension application documents directly (for more information see www.humanservices.gov.au).
Where the Australia’s pension is granted, the retired person living in Latvia shall be transferred the pension every 4th week on his/ her bank account (as indicated in the application) in Latvia.
Right to Latvia’s pension by persons residing in Australia
Where the inhabitant of Australia has accrued working and similar insurance periods in Latvia, he/ she shall be entitled to applying for old age pension from Latvia, considering the retirement age and relevant insurance period stipulated by Latvian law.
Same applies to a family member incapable to work (child) – a survivor; such person is entitled to Latvia’s survivor’s pension, considering the deceased person’s accrued insurance period in Latvia.
Where the insurance period in Latvia is insufficient to qualify for Latvia’s old age or survivor’s pension, then in order to determine a person’s right to pension the Latvian party may use the Australian working life residence periods approved by the competent institution of Australia.
Latvia’s old age pension shall not be granted, where the accrued insurance period in Latvia is less than one year.
Latvia’s pension is calculated only for the insurance period accrued in Latvia.
To apply for Latvia’s pension, a person living in Australia shall address competent institution of Australia – Department of Human Services – and shall fill in application for pension, and attach documents approving the working and similar periods in Latvia, as well as other documents relevant for each particular type of pension. The received application and supporting documents shall be sent to SSIA for review.
Where the Latvia’s pension is granted, the retired person living in Australia shall be transferred the pension in Australian dollars every month on his/ her bank account (as indicated in the application) in Australia.