Employing Foreign Workers (or Non Resident Workers)

A foreigner, who has become a resident in the Cook Islands solely to work on a contract of employment of not more than three years, is required to join the Fund as a member, and is entitled to a benefit on their permanent departure from the Cook Islands. That benefit will be paid as a lump sum equal to the total of their employee and employer contributions plus investment earnings in the period plus any balance in their Voluntary Account. Payment of the claim is subject to a 6 month waiting period.

Subject to conditions, a member may elect to transfer the whole balance of their employee and employer contributions plus investment earnings to a similar superannuation fund in that country that is nominated by the member and approved by the Board. Payment of the transfer is subject to a six month waiting period. When a transfer is completed, the account is closed and the member is no longer a member of the Fund.