New Zealand Superannuation
If you're aged 65 years or older you may be able to get New Zealand Superannuation payments and a SuperGold Card. Receiving other income doesn't affect your New Zealand Superannuation unless your partner isn't qualified to get New Zealand Superannuation but you choose to include them in your payments.
Who can get it
You may be able to get New Zealand Superannuation if you:
- are aged 65 or over
- are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
- normally live in New Zealand at the time 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.
Time spent overseas in certain countries and for certain reasons may be counted for New Zealand Superannuation.
We'll automatically send you a SuperGold Card when your New Zealand Superannuation is granted.
This information is a guide only. Please contact us to talk about your individual circumstances.
Websites that may help
SuperGold Card
SuperGold Card is a discounts and concessions card issued free to all eligible seniors and veterans.
How much you can get
How much you get depends on your current circumstances, such as:
- whether you are single, married or in a relationship
- your living situation if you are single
- whether your partner is included in your New Zealand Superannuation payments or not
- any overseas benefit or pension you may get.
Payments from accident insurance or Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) may affect your pension. If you get these payments you'll need to talk to us.
Payment of New Zealand Superannuation is made directly to your bank account every two weeks.
Other income
Receiving other income does not affect your New Zealand Superannuation unless your spouse or partner is included in your payments, because they do not qualify themselves.
Other income may affect any extra assistance you get from us.
Including your spouse or partner in your payments
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).
Tax
New Zealand Superannuation is taxed before you get it, but you still need to pay tax on any other income you get.
If you do have other income or receive an overseas pension, talk to Inland Revenue about your tax rate so you don’t get a tax bill at the end of the year:
- Inland Revenue: 0800 227 774 (please have your IRD number handy).
Payments
Living Alone Payment
An ongoing extra payment on top of your New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran’s Pension, when you maintain a household on your own. You may also get this payment in some situations, when you have a spouse or partner, or are not living on your own.
Overseas pensions
If you've lived overseas you need to tell us, as you may be entitled to overseas Government pensions or benefits. You need to apply for these as the amount you're entitled to is likely to be deducted from your New Zealand Superannuation.
For more information please visit our page:
Traveling or moving overseas
For information about how your New Zealand Superannuation is affected when you travel please visit our page:
Tell us about changes
It is important you tell us about any changes that may affect your New Zealand Superannuation.
You must tell us immediately if either you or your spouse or partner:
- have changes to personal details such as:
- name
- address
- bank account number
- have changes to your living situation such as:
- starting or ending a de facto relationship with someone of the same or opposite sex
- getting married or separating
- entering or ending a civil union
- you no longer live on your own
- a change in the number or children supported
- intend to travel overseas
- are admitted to or discharged from a hospital or rest home
- have been granted an overseas pension or benefit
- are imprisoned or held in custody on remand
- have any other changes that may affect your New Zealand Superannuation entitlement or rate of payment.
Relationships and Income Assistance
Some things you need to know about relationships when you're getting income assistance. Its also a guide to how we decide if you're in a relationship.
Going overseas or moving to New Zealand
How your benefit or pension is affected when you travel and information about overseas pensions.
How to apply
Contact us and we'll explain how to apply. We'll normally arrange a meeting with you and will tell you what you need to bring.
When to apply
The date you apply is important because it will directly affect when your payments start.
If you apply before you turn 65, and you qualify, your New Zealand Superannuation will start from your 65th birthday. It's recommended that you apply two to three weeks before you reach 65 years of age.
If you apply after you have turned 65, and you qualify, your New Zealand Superannuation will start from the date you apply to Work and Income.
If you're applying for payments to be made overseas you need to arrange a meeting four to six weeks before you leave.
Extra help
Depending on your income and circumstances, you may be able to get extra assistance on top of your New Zealand Superannuation. For more information please visit the 65 years or older page or read our factsheet, Extra help for people receiving New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension.
Contact us
Everyone's situation is different. We're here to help if you need it.
Please contact us if you:
- would like more information
- would like assistance
- aren't sure if you can get assistance
- are struggling to support yourself or your family.
| Contact us | On... |
|---|---|
| NZ Superannuation line | 0800 552 002 |
| From Australia | 1800 150 479 |
| From other countries |
+ 64 4 978 1180 Fax: + 64 4 918 0159 |
| Note: If you're calling from overseas replace the '+' with the correct international direct dial prefix. | |
If you're deaf, hearing-impaired or find it hard to communicate by phone you can use our Deaf Link contacts.