New Zealand Superannuation Rates 2025

Find out the current rates of New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super) in seconds. Our table and guide outlines everything you need to know about receiving your fortnightly payment.

Updated 24 December 2024

Summary of NZ Super Rates

If you're aged 65 and over and meet the qualifying criteria, you will receive up to $27,012.44 per year after tax.
What you'll receive depends on whether you're single or living as part of a couple
Your NZ Super payments won't be affected by how much income you and/or your partner have unless you and/or your partner receive an overseas pension

Beyond the rates listed below, our NZ Super Rates Guide covers:

NZ Super Rates for 1 April 2024 and up to 31 March 2025 For a Qualifying Individual Superannuant

Our table presents how much you'll receive below, depending on your situation. We assume the tax code 'M' but if you have S, SH, ST or SA you'll pay more, as outlined by Work and Income here.

Notes: Rates Valid from 1 April 2024 until 31 March 2025:

	Weekly Amount (gross/before tax)	Fortnightly Amount (gross/before tax)	Annual Amount (gross/before tax)	Annual Amount (after tax, with total income up to $48,000 p.a. using tax code 'M')
Single (living alone or with a dependent child)	$606.67	$1,213.34	$31,546.84	$27,012.44 (or $519.47 weekly)
Single (living with someone who is not a partner)	$558.31	$1,116.62	$29,032.12	$24,934.52 (or $479.51 weekly)
Couple - Both you and your partner meet the criteria for NZ Super	$461.41 (each)	$922.82 (each)	$23,993.32 (each)	$20,778.68 (or $399.59 weekly)
Couple - Only one of you meets the criteria for NZ Super	$461.41 (for the eligible person only)	$922.82 (for the eligible person only)	$23,993.32 (for the eligible person only)	$20,778.68 (or $399.59 weekly, for the eligible person only)

Historical Rates Valid from 1 April 2023 until 31 March 2024

	Weekly Amount (gross/before tax)	Fortnightly Amount (gross/before tax)	Annual Amount (gross/before tax)	Annual Amount (after tax, with total income up to $48,000 p.a. using tax code 'M')
Single (living alone or with a dependent child)	$578.67	$1,157.34	$30,090.84	$25,864.55 (or $497.40 weekly)
Single (living with someone who is not a partner)	$532.43	$1,064.86	$27,686.36	$23,917.65 (or $459.95 weekly)
Couple - Both you and your partner meet the criteria for NZ Super	$439.79 (each)	$879.58 (each)	$22,869.08 (each)	$19,497.09 (or $374.94 weekly)
Couple -Only one of you meets the criteria for NZ Super	$439.79 (for the eligible person only)	$879.58 (for the eligible person only)	$22,869.08 (for the eligible person only)	$19,497.09 (or $374.94 weekly, for the eligible person only)

Source: Work and Income Payment Rates

What is Superannuation?

NZ Superannuation is a retirement income for citizens who are at least 65 years old. It was created by the New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Act of 2001 and provides retirees with supplemental income to cover life’s basics.

You can’t live on Superannuation alone, but it helps you cover the essential costs of living. When paired with other retirement funds, you can confidently retire.

How much will I receive in Superannuation payment?
How much Superannuation you receive depends on a few circumstances:

Your marital status
Your living situation (if you aren’t married)
Whether or not you receive any overseas pension
Your tax code

What is my tax code?
The IRD's tax code finder tool asks you a few questions and determines your tax code.

Qualifying and Applying for NZ Super

To qualify for NZ Superannuation, you must meet the following qualifications:

Be at least 65 years old and
Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident and
Have lived in New Zealand for at least 10 years since the age of 20 and
Have lived in New Zealand for at least 5 years since the age of 50

How to Apply
You can apply for Superannuation 12 weeks before your 65th birthday or if you’ve already turned 65. Once you contact Work and Income, you have 20 days to complete your Superannuation application. The procedure is as follows:

You need a client number (you may already have one if you’ve dealt with Work and Income before). If not, complete the online form to get one.
Register or log in to MyMSD - complete the application (you’ll need your banking information and details about you and your partner if you weren’t born in New Zealand)
Follow the instructions provided after you apply, as you may need to provide more supporting documentation
Sign your form and follow the instructions to send it back

NZ Super - Must-Know Steps to Ensure You Receive All Your Entitlements

Once you’re approved for Superannuation, Work & Income automatically sends you a SuperGold Card which provides access to discounts and offers from NZ businesses. From this date:

You’ll receive payment from superannuation directly deposited into your bank account every two weeks.
If you served in the war or other emergency situations in the armed forces, you might qualify for a Veteran’s Pension (which may be better than your Superannuation benefits). Work and Income's Veteran Pension guide has more details.
You can still work and get NZ Super.
You must report any changes to your living situation, personal details, or if you intend to live overseas.
If you have a partner, you must also report any changes your partner makes personally or professionally.

Maximising Your Retirement Income

Plenty of media stories report that the NZ Super is insufficient given the cost of living - this Stuff.co.nz story from March 2024 explains the issues. To help prepare and manage, we suggest reading the following guides:

Challenges with NZ Super - What You Need to Know

December 2024 research from the Retirement Commission, as reported by interest.co.nz, found that growing cost-of-living pressures have forced some over-65s to make extreme cuts to spending to get by.

Many retirees, both singles and couples, relying solely on NZ Super as their primary income, face challenges like:

Covering essential costs: While NZ Super provides a base income level, it arguably struggles to cover rent, power, supermarket food and other essentials, especially in areas with a high cost of living.
Supplementing income: It's not uncommon for retirees to explore part-time work or additional savings to meet the costs of lifestyle needs.
Tax implications: Understanding which tax code applies if NZ Super is their only income versus if they have supplementary earnings. Our guide to tax codes and PAYE tax rates helps explain important information.
Home costs: Even if a retiree owns their home, increases in insurance, Council rates, general maintenance and health costs have become a big drain on finances.

Know This: For couples, especially where one partner qualifies and the other does not, problems can arise, including:

One partner not qualifying: The qualifying partner may receive a lower payment, leading to financial strain if they were previously dual-income earners.
Shared living costs: While living as a couple reduces some costs, disagreements over managing joint finances can arise, particularly if one partner works. At the same time, the other relies on NZ Super.
Income disparity: Couples must consider how additional income, like part-time work or rental income, affects tax obligations.

NZ Super Frequently Asked Questions

Superannuation is usually straightforward, but questions do arise. Our summary of common queries below anticipates the most relevant questions you may have.

Can you collect NZ Super and work full-time?

Yes. There is no penalty for doing so, and many people over 65 continue to work part-time or full-time and receive their full Superannuation.

Does earning other income affect my total Superannuation payments?

No. Your superannuation payments always remain the same, but any additional income you earn (salary and wages, interest income, rental property income, overseas pension, and retirement fund money etc.) will be taxed at the appropriate rate.

When do you receive NZ Super payments?

NZ Super payments are made every second Tuesday. If the day falls on a public holiday, you’ll receive the payment sooner.

Is KiwiSaver the same as Superannuation?

No, KiwiSaver is money you save to supplement Superannuation. NZ Super only supports a frugal lifestyle, and most people cannot live off of it alone. Setting up and contributing to a KiwiSaver fund is an excellent way to ensure you have a plentiful retirement.

How much tax do you pay on NZ Superannuation?

Your tax code depends on your income situation. If you only receive NZ Super, your tax code is ‘M’ if you have no student loans and ‘M SL’ if you have student loans.
If you’re still working, you must determine if your NZ Super is more than your earned income. The larger income is your primary income. If NZ Super earns you more, you are in tax code ‘M.’ If your earnings are greater than your NZ Super, then you’ll be in a special tax code with tax rates between 17.5% and 33%.
Our PAYE Calculator shows your after-tax income.

What happens if I don't qualify for NZ Super?

If you don't meet the eligibility criteria for NZ Super and are 65 or over, it will most likely be due to an immigration or work history issue. Here's what you can do:

Check the residency requirements: If the issue is insufficient time spent in New Zealand, you might qualify later once you meet the criteria.
Explore other support: Consider options like the Emergency Benefit, available to those in financial hardship and unable to work, provided they meet strict criteria.
Retirement savings: Ensure you maximise other sources of retirement income, such as KiwiSaver, personal savings, or private pensions.
Apply again later: You can reapply if circumstances change, such as meeting the residency criteria.

Are there any tax breaks or exemptions for superannuants?

While there are no direct tax exemptions for NZ Super recipients, you can optimise your tax situation:

Tax Codes: Use the correct tax code (e.g., M, M SL) to avoid overpaying or underpaying taxes.
Additional deductions: If you're still working, ensure any KiwiSaver contributions or other deductions are correctly applied to reduce taxable income.
Income splitting for couples: In some cases, it may be advantageous for couples to split income for tax purposes, especially if one partner is still working.
Exemptions for overseas income: Certain types of overseas pensions might qualify for tax exemptions under double-tax agreements, so consult a tax advisor to avoid paying unnecessary tax.

How does an overseas pension affect my NZ Super?

If you’re receiving an overseas pension alongside NZ Super, it can lead to several complications:

Offsetting payments: Under the direct deduction policy, your NZ Super payments may be reduced by the amount of your overseas pension. This often leads to frustration if the overseas pension amount doesn’t match the reduction, leaving you with less than expected.
Tax complexities: Both NZ Super and overseas pensions are taxable in New Zealand. Depending on the country of origin, you might face double taxation unless there’s a tax treaty in place. Navigating this requires careful planning, often with the help of a tax professional.
Communication issues: Misunderstandings with Work and Income about the reporting of your overseas pension can lead to underpayments or overpayments of NZ Super. These issues are stressful and may require time and effort to resolve.

To minimise issues, we suggest you:

Keep Work and Income updated with accurate and timely information about your overseas pension, including changes in amounts or currency exchange rates.
Seek advice from a tax accountant familiar with New Zealand and international pension taxation to avoid errors and ensure compliance.
If you encounter issues, request a review or reconsideration of your NZ Super payments by contacting Work and Income.

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