Retirement income
New Zealand Superannuation
What is the New Zealand Superannuation?
The New Zealand Superannuation is retirement income paid fortnightly to people 65 years of age and over.
Budget 2009 funding will ensure the Superannuation and Veteran’s Pension after-tax married rates are maintained at a minimum of 66 per cent of the average after-tax wage, rather than letting them drop back to 65 per cent as would otherwise have happened.
More than half a million older New Zealanders will benefit from this decision, which will cost $1.3 million in 2009/10.
You may also be entitled to a Living Alone Payment in addition to New Zealand Superannuation.
How do I know if I’m eligible to apply?
You must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident currently living in New Zealand at the time that you apply.
You must also have lived in New Zealand for at least 10 years since you turned 20. Five of those years must be since you turned 50.
Can I include a spouse or partner who doesn’t qualify?
If you have a spouse or partner who doesn't qualify for their own New Zealand Superannuation, you can choose to include them in your payments. If you do this, any other income either of you earn could affect how much you get.
We can help you work out whether it is to your financial advantage to include your partner or not.
If your spouse or partner is included in your payments, you can earn up to $80 (before tax) a week between you, before your New Zealand Superannuation is affected. If you earn more than $80 (before tax) a week your payments are reduced by 70 cents for every dollar of income over $80 (before tax).
For more information on including a spouse or partner in your New Zealand Superannuation, please contact us.
Am I still eligible if I work part or full-time?
Many people who are over 65 choose to work on a part- or full-time basis.
You can still receive your New Zealand Superannuation while you are working, but this may affect the amount of income tax you have to pay on your combined income.
For more information, please go to Work and Income's page on Tax Codes.
How do I apply?
For information on how to apply, please go to Applying for New Zealand Superannuation.
If you’d like to speak to someone about your entitlements, we have a dedicated phone line for New Zealand Superannuation enquiries.
If you are currently receiving a benefit from Work and Income and will be turning 65 soon, please talk to your case manager at your Service Centre. Please also contact International Services if you have lived overseas.
You may want to download:
Pensions overseas
If you are thinking of travelling or living overseas for six months or less, please contact Work and Income prior to your departure to discuss pension matters. If you are planning to stay longer than six months, please contact the International Services Team.
For more information, please go to Travelling overseas or moving to New Zealand on the Work and Income website.
Moving to New Zealand
If you would like to move to New Zealand from another country while retaining your current pension or retirement funds, please contact the International Services Team.
War veterans
If you are a war veteran, you may be entitled to special benefits or pensions in recognition of your service. Here are some useful phone numbers for discussing these entitlements.
The main entitlements for war veterans are:
- Veteran’s Pension (administered by Work and Income)
- War Disablement Pension (administered by Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand)
For more information, please go to the:
