As you get older, your income and living costs may change. You might be thinking about retirement, adjusting to a fixed income, or looking for extra support to manage everyday expenses.
There’s a range of financial support and services available in New Zealand. Knowing what’s available, and how to access it, can help you feel more secure and confident in your choices.
We have listed some of the support and links to their websites here to help you get started.
Superannuation
New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super) is a regular payment available to most people in Aotearoa New Zealand from age 65. The Veteran’s Pension is available to those who have qualifying service and are aged 65 or over.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, you’ll receive payments every two weeks. You can find out how much you may be entitled to, and which tax code to use, on the Work and Income website.
If you’ve lived or worked overseas, you may also be eligible for a pension from another country. This needs to be declared when you apply for NZ Super. It’s a good idea to contact the Ministry of Social Development to understand how this could affect your payments.
You can still receive NZ Super if you continue working after age 65. However, your income and Super payments may affect the amount of tax you pay.
If you’re approaching 65, you can apply for NZ Super in advance. Applications can be completed online through MyMSD or via the Work and Income website.
Help with essential costs
This main payment may not cover everything and there are other supports available to help. We go through each of these below and provide useful links to more information.
SuperGold card
The SuperGold Card is for people aged 65 years and older (it doesn’t expire). It gives you instant discounts and special offers at thousands of businesses across New Zealand, and in Australia.
Winter energy payment
The Winter Energy Payment is an extra payment to help with the cost of heating your home over the winter months. You don’t need to apply for the Winter Energy Payment. If you meet the criteria, it’s paid automatically from 1 May to 1 October every year. Winter
Advance payment
An Advance Payment of Benefit is a one-off payment to help you pay an essential or emergency cost if you can’t pay it another way. If you are on NZ Super or a Veteran’s pension, you are eligible, however it is asset tested.
Temporary additional support
Temporary Additional Support is a weekly payment from Work and Income that helps you when you don’t have enough money to cover your essential living costs.
Health and disability
Power, gas or heating
If you have extra power, gas or heating costs because of your disability or health condition, we may be able to help you pay this as part of a Disability Allowance.
Phone
If you need help with ongoing phone costs that are directly related to your disability or health condition, we may be able to help you pay this as part of a Disability Allowance.
Mobility parking scheme
The Mobility Parking Scheme is designed to help people with disabilities or mobility limitations park closer to their destinations, improving independence and accessibility
Other types of support
Special needs grant
A Special Needs Grant from Work and Income is a one-off payment to help you pay an essential or emergency cost if you can’t pay it another way. Special Needs Grant – Work and Income
Funeral grant
We may be able to help you pay for some funeral expenses if the person who had died has little or no money to pay for this.
You don’t have to be on a benefit to qualify for a Funeral Grant and you don’t have to pay the money back. Bereavement – Work and Income
Smoke alarms
Fire and Emergency New Zealand offer free Home Fire Safety Visits to people, family and whānau who require fire safety advice. Home Fire Safety Visits | Fire and Emergency New Zealand
