5 min read

Understanding New Zealand's Superannuation Scheme

If you are a New Zealand citizen or have lived here for a number of years, you are entitled to Superannuation. Find out how it works in our guide.
Francesca Arnott
· August 16, 2024
Understanding New Zealand's Superannuation Scheme

Understanding New Zealand’s superannuation scheme before you retire can help you plan for your retirement.

While Aotearoa doesn’t have an official retirement age, most people retire at 65. This is because both KiwiSaver and NZ Super, begin to pay out your savings once you turn 65.

What is NZ Super?

NZ Super is the government-funded superannuation scheme in New Zealand. It is different to KiwiSaver or other pension funds which you largely fund yourself.

If you are a New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or hold the right type of visa, you will receive fortnightly payouts from the government once you turn 65.

How do I qualify for NZ Super?

There are some criteria for qualifying for government-funded super. You must be:

  • 65 years old, or older

  • A New Zealand citizen or

  • A New Zealand permanent resident or

  • Hold a residence class visa for New Zealand or

  • An ordinary resident in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau at the time of application.

If you weren’t born in New Zealand, you must have lived in New Zealand for a certain amount of time to qualify:

  • You must have lived in New Zealand for a certain number of years from age 20.

  • You must have lived in New Zealand for at least five years from age 50.

  • The years do not need to be consecutive for either period.

How long do I have to live in New Zealand to qualify for NZ Super?

You must have been a 'resident' and 'physically present' in NZ at the same time to qualify as having lived in New Zealand. This means if you were a resident of a different country, that period may not count towards your time living in New Zealand.

If you moved to New Zealand as a refugee or protected person, you can count the number of years you lived here from the day you arrived.

It’s worth noting that the time period to qualify for the NZ Super as a resident is gradually increasing from 10 years to 20 years. The table below shows how long you’ll need to have lived in New Zealand based on your date of birth. The years do not need to be consecutive but need to include at least five years from the age of 50, no matter what year you were born.

Date of birth

Total number of years you must have lived in NZ from age 20

  • On or before 30 June 1959 10 years
  • 1 July 1959 - 30 June 1961 11 years
  • 1 July 1961 - 30 June 1963 12 years
  • 1 July 1963 - 30 June 1965 13 years
  • 1 July 1965 - 30 June 1967 14 years
  • 1 July 1967 - 30 June 1969 15 years
  • 1 July 1969 - 30 June 1971 16 years
  • 1 July 1971 - 30 June 1973 17 years
  • 1 July 1973 - 30 June 1975 18 years
  • 1 July 1975 - 30 June 1977 19 years
  • On or after 1 July 1977 20 years

I haven’t lived in New Zealand for long enough. Can I still get Super?

If you haven’t lived in New Zealand for long enough to qualify for NZ Super you can wait until you’ve lived in New Zealand long enough to apply. You can also use another country to meet the criteria if:

  • That country has a Social Security Agreement (SSA) with NZ:
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Denmark
  • Greece
  • Ireland
  • Jersey
  • Guernsey
  • Malta
  • the Netherlands
  • South Korea
  • United Kingdom
  • or
  • is a NZ realm country (the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau).

Do I have to stop working to get NZ Super?

You do not have to stop working or earning income to qualify for NZ Super. It is not means tested and does not take into account your existing assets.

However, what type of income you earn can affect your payments. Earning income may change your tax code which could effect your Super payments.

How much is the NZ Super payout?

If you qualify for NZ Super you’ll be paid ever fortnight on a Tuesday. How much you receive will depend on your tax code.

NZ Super payment rate if you're single

TAX CODE M S SH ST SA
Live alone or with a dependent child $1,043.24 $1,001.24 $849.74 $813.38 $740.66

Live with someone who's either:


18 or older (unless they're a dependent child who's 18), or

visiting and staying more than 13 weeks in any 26 week period.

$963.32 $921.32 $781.82 $748.26 $681.38

NZ Super payment rate if you have a partner

TAX CODE M S SH ST SA
Both of you meet the
Super requirements
$803.48 each $761.48
each
$646.22
each
$618.56
each
$563.24 each
Only one of you meets the
criteria for NZ Super
$803.48 each $761.48
each
$646.22
each
$618.56 
each
$563.24 each

Are there other payments for seniors in New Zealand?

New Zealand is a high cost of living country. It’s recommended that you plan for your retirement by saving through a KiwiSaver or work-related pension scheme so that you can top up your NZ Super payments. Most people will struggle to live on their NZ Super payments alone.

There are other payments available for seniors over the age of 65. These include:

  • Accommodation Supplement - help with rent, board, mortgage or related costs

  • Disability Allowance - for pensioners with regular ongoing disability costs

  • Temporary Additional Support - to cover essential living costs,

  • Community Services Card - save on health care and public transport costs

Can I still receive NZ Super if I move overseas?

Sometimes. You can receive NZ Super in the first 26 weeks of going overseas. Beyond that you will need to advise Work and Income New Zealand and your payments will depend on where you are living. This is because New Zealand has SSA agreements with some countries and you may have to apply through your new country's Superannuation scheme to get paid.

What do our customers say?

Read reviews of Wise Move to learn stories from our customers.
$195
Small wardrobe
Tauranga, Bethlehem
Marotiri
10
Stephie
Reviewed 14 minutes ago
Highly highly recommend!
$300
Auckland, Avondale
Auckland, Mount Albert
10
Victoria
Reviewed 1 hour ago
Mighty Movers Brent & team are fantastic, they really did go above and beyond for me, Thank you! They are very kind & made the shift stress free. I would highly recommend Mighty Movers.
$80
*** gorgeous mid century morgan sofa ***
Auckland, Onehunga
Auckland, Mount Eden
10
Jessica
Reviewed 1 hour ago
Absolutely wonderful and friendly service. Excellent communication! Very happy with the whole experience.
$260
Wellington, Thorndon
Wellington, Brooklyn
9.0
Shelley
Reviewed 2 hours ago
Highly recommended. Bit of a tough delivery in Brooklyn up lots of stairs but these guys made it a breeze. Highly recommend you use 1van
$110
Wellington, Khandallah
Wellington, Hataitai
10
Ian
Reviewed 4 hours ago
Perfect; thank you! Will absolutely use again (in fact, I am, tomorrow!)
$450
Auckland, Grey Lynn
Auckland, Avondale
10
Tash
Reviewed 5 hours ago
Best move I've booked; the two guys were well presented, professional and fast workers. Easy to communicate with and packed the van well so that everything was carefully transported. Highly recommend and will use Wise Move X again. Thanks guys! Wise Move is also a great service; easy to use to get a quick and accurate quote. The interface is very user friendly and response was quick. 10/10 experience.
$100
Couch
Porirua, Tītahi Bay
Lower Hutt, Wainuiomata
10
Peta
Reviewed 8 hours ago
Thank y’all both appreciate it
$180
Motorcycle Harley davidson Street 500
Auckland, Newmarket
Auckland, Takapuna
10
Jac
Reviewed 8 hours ago
William was great at keeping in touch and super great to deal with!

For every (wise)move

TradeMe purchase pickup and delivery service across NZ
TradeMe Delivery
Get your heavy-large TradeMe purchase picked up and delivered by our movers anywhere in NZ.
Learn more
Car transport nz
Car Transport
Our professional car transport teams from across New Zealand are the best at what they do.
Learn more
Motorbike transport nz
Motorcycle Transport
Our pros take everything into consideration when ensuring the safety and well-being of your bike.
Learn more
Piano transport
Piano Move
Moving a piano requires the expertise to ensure is kept safe and protected on the road.
Learn more
Furniture removals
Furniture Removals
Our teams will treat your possessions like they would their own, ensuring that the greatest care and diligence is taken.
Learn more
Pet transport nz
Pet Transport
During the transport our teams will ensure full care, well-being and friendliness as if they were our own.
Learn more
Boat transport nz
Boat Transport
Our transport teams will ensure your boats will be delivered safely, efficiently and on time.
Learn more