The long awaited Social Security Agreement between Australia and Greece has been completed and will officially take effect from 1 October 2008. According to Australian government estimates, about 13,000 former Australian residents living in Greece can now claim an Australian age pension. Additionally, an estimated 37,000 Australian residents will be entitled to receive a Greek old age pension.

The agreement does not include healthcare costs, although Greek Australians who live in Greece can make a claim for a Greek pension which will enable them to be covered under IKA (Greek Social Security) healthcare and medical schemes.

A spokesperson for the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs explained to NKEE that the minimum time of insurance coverage in Greece in order to claim a Greek pension in Australia is 12 months.

Likewise, the minimum period of residence required for someone to claim an Australian pension in Greece is also 12 months, between the age of 16 and retirement age, of which at least six months must be continuous.

Proof of identity and family circumstances are the necessary documents that people would have to submit to apply for a pension.

Further documentation such as Greek employment history would have to be provided in some cases as well as papers that prove periods of residence in Australia.

The latter could be secured through Centrelink offices but applicants need to declare all income and asset information. Centrelink International Services will be assisting with any queries regarding the new Agreement.

Income and asset declarations both in Australia and overseas are mandatory requirements under social security law, which means that if people have not disclosed overseas assets properly they could suffer a reduced Australian pension or be asked to repay any overpayments.

The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin hailed the fact that following this new agreement companies who operate in Australia and in Greece will not have to make compulsory contributions in both countries' systems for any seconded employees. A public awareness campaign regarding the agreement will take place in the coming months and Centrelink will provide information to anyone claiming a pension payment.


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