NZ Super (New Zealand Superannuation)

Work and Income (part of the Ministry of Social Development)Verified 14 Oct 2026Official pages checked daily

NZ Super is a pension the government pays every two weeks to people aged 65 and over. Your income and assets do not matter. To get it, you must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, or hold a residence class visa. You must also have lived in New Zealand for a set number of years. The later you were born, the more years you need, up to a maximum of 20 years.

Key facts

Age you can get it: 65 and over²
Overall residence rule: From age 20, you must have lived in New Zealand for the required number of years. This must include 5 years after age 50. The years do not need to be in a row.²
Who the new rules apply to: The new residence requirements apply to people who turn 65 on or after 1 July 2024¹
Born on or before 30 June 1959: 10 years²
Born 1 July 1959 – 30 June 1961: 11 years²
Born 1 July 1961 – 30 June 1963: 12 years²
Born 1 July 1963 – 30 June 1965: 13 years²
Born 1 July 1965 – 30 June 1967: 14 years²
Born 1 July 1967 – 30 June 1969: 15 years²
Born 1 July 1969 – 30 June 1971: 16 years²
Born 1 July 1971 – 30 June 1973: 17 years²
Born 1 July 1973 – 30 June 1975: 18 years²
Born 1 July 1975 – 30 June 1977: 19 years²
Born on or after 1 July 1977: 20 years²
Earliest time to apply: Within 12 weeks before your 65th birthday, or once you are 65³
Deadline to submit the online form: Submit within 60 days, or the form will be deleted³
Single, living alone (or with dependent children): NZ$1,294.74 every two weeks before tax (NZ$1,110.30 after tax on tax code M)⁴
Single, living with someone aged 18 or over: NZ$1,191.14 every two weeks before tax (NZ$1,024.90 after tax on tax code M)⁴
Couple / partners, both eligible: NZ$984.28 each, every two weeks before tax (NZ$854.08 after tax on tax code M)⁴
Yearly increase: Rates go up on 1 April each year, in line with changes in the average wage⁴
Overseas pensions: For every $1 of overseas pension you get, your New Zealand payment goes down by $1⁵
NZ Super phone number: 0800 552 002¹

Who is this for, and what are the requirements?

You are 65 or older.
You are a New Zealand citizen or New Zealand permanent resident, or you hold a New Zealand residence class visa.
When you apply, you are ordinarily resident in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau.
From age 20, you have lived in New Zealand for the required number of years (from 10 to 20 years, depending on your date of birth). This must include 5 years after age 50.
"Living in New Zealand" means you are a resident AND you are physically in New Zealand. Time spent travelling overseas may not count.
If you are recognised as a refugee or protected person, your years may be counted differently.
Your income and assets are not checked.

How do I do it? Steps and process

Check if you qualify
Use your date of birth to find how many years you need. You can also use the online tool "Find out if you can get NZ Super or Veteran's Pension" on the Work and Income website.
Get a client number and register for MyMSD
To apply online, you need a client number to register for MyMSD. If you do not have a client number, you can fill in a form on the website to get one.
Apply within 12 weeks before your 65th birthday
Log in to MyMSD and fill in the NZ Super application. You must submit it within 60 days. If you apply on or before your 65th birthday, payments start from your 65th birthday. If you apply after your birthday, payments start from the date you apply.
Send extra documents and confirm your identity
After you submit, follow the "Next steps" instructions to upload any extra documents. If this is your first application, you also need to confirm your identity. You can do this online with Identity Check, or take a government-issued ID to a service centre.
Wait to hear back
Work and Income will call you if they need to. Once approved, you are paid every two weeks on a Tuesday.

What documents do I need?

Your client number and MyMSD account
Your IRD number and tax code
Your bank account details (if Work and Income does not already have them)
Details of where you or your partner were born, travelled or lived overseas
Government-issued ID (to confirm your identity on your first application)
Any other documents MyMSD asks for

What should I watch out for?

You can work and get NZ Super at the same time. But if you need to change your tax code because of other income, the NZ Super you receive may be lower.
Income from work does not affect NZ Super itself, but it can affect other payments such as the Accommodation Supplement.
If you or your partner can get a pension from another country (an overseas pension), you must apply for it. It will reduce your New Zealand payment dollar for dollar. If your overseas pension is more than NZ Super, you will only get the overseas pension.
If you do not have enough years, you may be able to count time lived in a country that has a social security agreement (SSA) with New Zealand, or in the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau. The SSA countries listed on the official website are: Australia, Canada, Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, Malta, the Netherlands, Korea and the United Kingdom. Check whether your country is on this list.
If you do not have enough years at 65, you can apply later, once you have the years (and meet the other rules).
If you live overseas, you cannot apply through MyMSD. If you live in the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau, fill in and sign a paper application form. If you live in any other country, phone or email the International Services team.
If your partner is included in your NZ Super, there are some things they also need to do, and the amount may be different from the standard rates above.
This page is a summary of public information. Work and Income decides whether you can get NZ Super and how much you get.

What has changed recently?

2024-07-01
New residence requirements apply to people who turn 65 on or after 1 July 2024: the number of years needed rises step by step from 10 to 20 years, depending on your date of birth.

Common questions

What age can I get NZ Super?

You can get NZ Super from age 65. You must also be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, or hold a residence class visa. You must have lived in New Zealand for the required number of years too. Your income and assets are not checked.

How many years do I need to live in NZ after getting PR to get the pension?

You need between 10 and 20 years, depending on your date of birth. People born on or before 30 June 1959 need 10 years. People born on or after 1 July 1977 need 20 years. The years count from age 20, when you are a resident and physically in New Zealand. They must include 5 years after age 50, but they do not need to be in a row.

Can my parents get NZ Super if they have lived in New Zealand for 10 years?

Maybe. It depends on their date of birth. 10 years is enough only for people born on or before 30 June 1959. Those years must be from age 20 and include 5 years after age 50. They must also be 65 or older and be a citizen, permanent resident or residence class visa holder. Work and Income decides who can get NZ Super.

How much is NZ Super every two weeks?

It depends on your living situation. A single person living alone gets NZ$1,294.74 before tax (NZ$1,110.30 after tax on tax code M). A single person living with someone aged 18 or over gets NZ$1,191.14 before tax (NZ$1,024.90 after tax). Couples who are both eligible get NZ$984.28 each before tax (NZ$854.08 after tax). Rates go up on 1 April each year.

Can I get NZ Super while I am still working?

Yes, you can work and get NZ Super at the same time. Income from work does not affect NZ Super itself. But if you need to change your tax code because of other income, the NZ Super you receive may be lower. Work income can also affect other payments, such as the Accommodation Supplement.

I get a pension from my home country. Will it reduce my NZ Super?

Yes. For every $1 of overseas pension you get, your New Zealand payment goes down by $1. If you or your partner can get an overseas pension, you must apply for it. If your overseas pension is more than NZ Super, you will only get the overseas pension.

When can I apply for NZ Super, and how do I apply online?

You can apply within 12 weeks before your 65th birthday, or once you are 65. To apply online, you need a client number to register for MyMSD. Log in to MyMSD and fill in the NZ Super application. Submit it within 60 days, or the form will be deleted. Then upload any extra documents and confirm your identity if this is your first application.

Do the years I lived overseas count towards NZ Super?

Usually not, because only years when you are a resident and physically in New Zealand count. But you may be able to count time in the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau. You may also be able to count time in a country with a social security agreement with New Zealand. These countries are Australia, Canada, Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, Malta, the Netherlands, Korea and the United Kingdom.

Answers are based on the verified content of this page — the official source always prevails.

Where can I check the official information?

New Zealand SuperannuationWork and Income · workandincome.govt.nz
Who can get NZ SuperWork and Income · workandincome.govt.nz
Apply for NZ SuperWork and Income · workandincome.govt.nz
How much you can get for NZ SuperWork and Income · workandincome.govt.nz
Overseas pensionsWork and Income · workandincome.govt.nz

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