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.