SuperLife

Eligibility

You may qualify for NZ Super If you:

• are  age 65;
• either:
  • a New Zealand citizen
  • are a permanent resident
  • or hold a residence class visa
• are ordinarily resident  in New Zealand, the Cook Island, Niue, or Tokelau when you apply
• have lived in New Zealand for at least 10 years since age 20;
• have lived in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau (or a combination of these) for at least 5 years since age 50. 

Residence in a country with which New Zealand has reciprocal social security arrangements (like Australia and the UK) counts as residence in New Zealand.

When we say ‘you live’ or ‘you’ve lived’, we mean you normally live in NZ, the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau and that’s where your home is.

You may qualify for NZ Super with less than 10 years residence if you have migrated to New Zealand from a country that New Zealand has a social security agreement with.

Click here for more information on NZ Super.

Level

The benefit is linked directly to the national average wage and is reviewed each year (1 April) against changes in wages. The target level for a married couple is referred to as “65 at 65” i.e. a net 65% of the net national average wage from age 65. The current level is 66% of the net national average wage.

Taxation

The pension is taxed as income in the normal way under the PAYE system.

Income test

There are no income or asset tests applied to NZ Super. However, if one partner of a couple qualifies and the other does not, both may receive the benefit, but an income test applies in respect of the benefit paid to the partner that does not qualify in their own right.

Application

The pension when payable is not backdated. Also, an application can only be made when you are within 12 weeks of being eligible. Therefore, an eligible person should apply (make an appointment) in the 12 weeks before turning 65.

Cost

There are no specific social security contributions or “working life period” based requirements. The full pension is payable if the “eligibility” conditions are satisfied. The pension is funded out of general taxation.

Private superannuation

The payment of the NZ Super benefit does not affect the private superannuation and savings of an individual. This includes benefits payable under KiwiSaver.

However, entitlements to an overseas social security pension (like the UK’s Basic State Pension) but not work-related, employer-provided pensions, reduce the New Zealand pension by the equivalent amount.

New Zealand Superannuation rates – from 1 April 2020

Note: New Zealand Superannuation is paid fortnightly. The next change is due 1 April 2021.

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