NZ Super - How to get New Zealand Superannuation

New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super) is the government pension paid to Kiwis over the age of 65. Any eligible New Zealander receives NZ Super regardless of how much they earn through paid work, savings and investments, what other assets they own or what taxes they have paid.

Who can get NZ Super?

To be eligible for NZ Super, you need to be aged 65 or over and be a legal resident of New Zealand. You can get NZ Super even if you’re still working.

You also need to have lived here for 10 years since age 20, with five of those years since you turned 50.

Work and Income has more information about NZ superannuation eligibility.

It’s important to remember that NZ Super may be different in years to come in terms of who gets it and when.

Overseas pensions

If you get a pension from an overseas government, your NZ Super payments may be reduced by the amount you receive from overseas.

For more information call Work and Income on 0800 552 002 and ask for the International Services office.

How much is NZ Super?

The level of NZ Super payments is set by the government each year. The rates are reviewed and adjusted to take into account any increases in the cost of living (inflation) and average wages.

The after-tax NZ Super rate for couples (who both qualify) is based on 66% of the ‘average ordinary time wage’ after tax. For single people, the after-tax NZ superannuation rate is around 40% of that average wage.

NZ Super is paid fortnightly.

Here are the current NZ Super rates.

How to apply

Those eligible can apply for NZ Super three months before turning 65.

There’s a form on the Work and Income website, or Work and Income can be reached on 0800 552 002.

BLOG

Even superheroes need to pay for their retirement

19 Jan, 2017

Batman. Superman. Barbie. Ken. They’re forever young … but what if they weren’t? Imagine an alternate universe, where superheroes get old and weary.

BLOG

Forget the nest egg — what do the chicks look like?

17 Aug, 2015

My kid brother – who is just starting out in his career – met with a financial adviser the other day, his first foray into financial planning.

BLOG

More risk now, less risk later

11 Aug, 2015

When it comes to choosing how much risk to take while investing, I can’t help but think of relationships. Call me a romantic if you like.

BLOG

Case study: Jens Meder

1 Mar, 2013

Jens Meder stopped working over 20 years ago and says he’s been loving retirement ever since.

BLOG

Case study: Charmaine and Hamish McNeilage

2 Jan, 2013

Great-grandparents Charmaine and Hamish McNeilage enjoy a contented life in the Wairarapa, where they live on $617 a week from NZ Super.

BLOG

Case study: Duncan and Valerie McDonald

1 Jan, 2013

Wellingtonian Duncan McDonald retired some years ago and often jokes he needs to go back to full-time work to get some spare time back.

Get that Sorted feeling

Start your safety net

Get your KiwiSaver settings right

Start tackling your debt

Cover your people, money, stuff

Run your retirement numbers

Set your targets, then hit them!

Guides

Does your school have it yet?

Why do we give kids money again?

Can't talk about money? Here's help.

Money stressin’? Get to work.

Top 5 money questions to ask your partner

Five easy ways to talk money with kids

Tips when you're having a money talk

How to prep for a money talk

About

Learning

Resources

Even more...

NZ Super - How to get New Zealand Superannuation

Who can get NZ Super?

Overseas pensions

How much is NZ Super?

How to apply

You may also like...

Even superheroes need to pay for their retirement

Forget the nest egg — what do the chicks look like?

More risk now, less risk later

Case study: Jens Meder

Case study: Charmaine and Hamish McNeilage

Case study: Duncan and Valerie McDonald

Get that Sorted feeling

Start your safety net

Get your KiwiSaver settings right

Start tackling your debt

Cover your people, money, stuff

Run your retirement numbers

Set your targets, then hit them!

Guides

Does your school have it yet?

Why do we give kids money again?

Can't talk about money? Here's help.

Money stressin’? Get to work.

Top 5 money questions to ask your partner

Five easy ways to talk money with kids

Tips when you're having a money talk

How to prep for a money talk

About

Learning

Resources

Even more...

Log in to your account

Create your free account

NZ Super - How to get New Zealand Superannuation

Who can get NZ Super?

Overseas pensions

How much is NZ Super?

How to apply

You may also like...

Even superheroes need to pay for their retirement

Forget the nest egg — what do the chicks look like?

More risk now, less risk later

Case study: Jens Meder

Case study: Charmaine and Hamish McNeilage

Case study: Duncan and Valerie McDonald