You may qualify for NZ Super if you:

• are 65 or older;  
• are either a New Zealand (NZ) citizen,  a NZ permanent resident, or hold a NZ residence class visa;
• are ordinarily resident in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau when you apply; and
• have lived in New Zealand for a certain amount of time.  

NZ Super is not means tested but is subject to income tax and if you have other taxable income the total tax you pay overall will increase.  

You must have lived in New Zealand for a certain number of years from age 20.  This must include 5 years from age 50 but you do not have to have paid income tax at any point of your working life.  

If you or your partner qualifies for an overseas pension, you must apply for it.  This could affect your NZ Super payments (e.g. you NZ Super could be reduced, or your overseas pension may be offset against your NZ Super).  

If a recipient is overseas for more than 26 weeks the NZ Super may be suspended – complex rules apply.  Some recipients may qualify for payment if permanently living overseas – various conditions apply.  

Once you qualify, NZ Super is not means tested regardless of whether the recipient is still working or has significant other income.  This is known as being a Universal Benefit.  

Living alone (or with a dependent child):

Gross per fortnight $1,294.74

Net of tax per fortnight $1,110.30 (main tax rate)

The gross rate may be reduced if not living alone.  

Couples

If both qualify for NZ Super Gross $984.28 each, per fortnight, Net $854.08

If only one partner qualifies for NZ Super that person receives $984.28 per fortnight, Net $854.08

Non-qualifying spouses may qualify under a means tested basis.  

Winter Payment

There is also a winter payment between 1 May and 1 October.  Single people with no dependents $20.46 per week, couples and those with dependent children $31.82 per week.  

The key issues being debated include:

• Long-term affordability: Should current working taxpayers tax paid go towards current recipients, when the working population is decreasing and retirees are increasing?  That is, should current taxpayers continue to fund the scheme on its existing terms, or could the current regime become unaffordable?
• Age of eligibility: Is the age of 65 years still the appropriate age of eligibility, given increases in life expectancy and the longer period for which many people may receive NZ Super?
• Universality and means testing: Should those still working after 65 years or who have significant income from other sources, continue to receive the full amount of NZ Super?  Alternatively,  should NZ Super be means tested?
• Means testing: If means tested, should that include the recipient’s Kiwi Saver funds, alternatively, should this include asset testing?  If assets were included, should the family home be excluded?
• Differences in life expectancy and ability to work: Some ethnicities (or those who have been in labour intensive jobs) statistically live shorter lives.   Would increasing the universal eligibility age disproportionately disadvantage these groups and therefore should they be entitled to receive NZ Super earlier?
• Flexible retirement age: Could those unable to work be entitled to elect to receive their NZ Super early (at a reduced rate) or those who keep working elect to receive their NZ Super late (at an accelerated rate)?
• Indexation: Should the NZ Super continue to be aligned to 66% of net average wage or some other measure (such as CPI adjustments, similar to other government benefits)?
• Adequacy: Is the NZ Super amount sufficient to provide an adequate standard of living for retirees, particularly those who live alone, or have little other income or retirement savings?  

NZ First affirm they will retain the entitlement at 65 years, and the amount aligned to the current 66% of net average wage.  They would also increase the Accommodation Supplement for SuperGold card holders and retain the Winter Energy Payment.

They have published a policy for SuperGold card holders to apply for a 50% local authority rates rebate for those who own and live in their only home or equivalent such as an apartment, up to a maximum of $1,600 each year.