How Much Is NZ Superannuation? Rates for 2025/2026

Your fortnightly NZ Super payment isn’t a fixed number — it shifts based on whether you live alone, share a home, or are part of a couple. Based on the latest official rates, here’s exactly what you can expect for the 2025/2026 year and the details that make a real difference.

Single (living alone): NZD $1,110.30 per fortnight after tax ·
Single (sharing): NZD $1,025.68 per fortnight after tax ·
Couple (both qualify): NZD $1,676.80 per fortnight after tax ·
Next increase: 1 April 2026

Here are the key details about NZ Super eligibility and payment:

How much pension will I get at 65 in NZ?

Base rates for 2025/2026

• NZ Super is paid fortnightly (Lifetime Income (NZ)).
• The after-tax rate for a single person living alone under the M tax code is about NZD $555.15 per week (Lifetime Workplace (NZ)).
• For a couple both qualifying, the combined weekly after-tax amount is NZD $838.40 (MoneyHub (NZ)).

How living alone vs sharing changes the rate

• A single person living alone receives more than a single person sharing accommodation (Work and Income (New Zealand Government)).
• The difference is approximately NZD $42 per week after tax (LifeCovered (NZ)).

How your tax code affects your take-home pay

• The standard tax code for NZ Super recipients is M (Inland Revenue (New Zealand’s tax authority)).
• You can request a higher withholding tax code to avoid a tax bill (Work and Income (New Zealand Government)).

The implication: your living situation and tax code can shift your annual NZ Super by thousands of dollars — check both before you budget.

How much is NZ Super per fortnight after tax?

After-tax rates for a single person

• Under tax code M: NZD $1,110.30 per fortnight for a single person living alone (Sorted (NZ retirement guide)).
• Under tax code M: NZD $1,025.68 per fortnight for a single person sharing (Work and Income (New Zealand Government)).

After-tax rates for a couple

• Both qualify: NZD $1,676.80 per fortnight (Lifetime Income (NZ)).
• One qualifies: NZD $1,673.60 per fortnight (Lifetime Workplace (NZ)).

How to switch to a different tax code

• Use the IR330 form (Inland Revenue (New Zealand’s tax authority)).
• Select a higher rate (e.g., ST, SH) to have more tax withheld and avoid a year-end bill.

The catch: the after-tax amount is not fixed — your choice of tax code directly changes the net figure. A single person living alone could see a difference of NZD $20–$30 per fortnight depending on the code.

Can you collect a pension and still work full time in NZ?

No income test on NZ Super

• NZ Super has no income or asset test (Work and Income (New Zealand Government)).
• You can earn any amount from work and keep your full NZ Super.

How work income is treated for tax purposes

• Employment income is taxed separately via your employer’s PAYE.
• NZ Super income uses its own withholding (tax code M, ST, SH, etc.).

What changes if you get the Veteran’s Pension

• The Veteran’s Pension has an income test (Work and Income (New Zealand Government)).
• If you qualify for both, you can choose which one to receive based on your work situation.

Why this matters: your work income doesn’t touch your NZ Super, but your tax code decision affects how much of it you actually pocket.

How long do you have to live in NZ to get superannuation?

Residency requirement

• You must have lived in New Zealand for at least 10 years since turning 20 (Work and Income (New Zealand Government)).
• Five of those years must be after age 50.

Special rules

• Time spent in Australia or Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau may count toward the residency requirement.
• Refugees and those with totalisation agreements may have different rules.

The pattern: the 10-year rule is strict — missing the 5-years-after-50 component is the most common reason for declination.

What happens to NZ superannuation if I move overseas?

Portability rules

• NZ Super is portable to most countries for the first 26 weeks (Work and Income (New Zealand Government)).
• After 26 weeks, the rate may reduce based on the country you live in.

Full-rate countries

• You can still get the full rate in Australia, Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau.

Lower-rate countries

• In most other countries, after 26 weeks the payment drops to a lower rate (often around half the standard rate).

The trade-off: moving to Australia keeps your full NZ Super — moving to the UK cuts it by about 50% after six months. Plan accordingly.

“NZ Super is paid fortnightly on a Tuesday. The amount you get depends on your situation and the tax code you choose.”

Work and Income (New Zealand Government)

“For a single person living alone on the standard M tax code, the after-tax rate is about $555 per week, or $1,110 per fortnight.” For the most up-to-date NZ Superannuation rates for 2025/2026, please refer to NZ Superannuation rates 2025/2026.

Lifetime Income (NZ)

For anyone planning retirement in New Zealand, the choice isn’t about whether you qualify for NZ Super — it’s about how your living situation and tax decisions shape the real income you’ll have each fortnight. Know your numbers, or risk leaving money on the table.

Related reading: New Zealand Superannuation rates · this year’s NZ Super rates

The rates for NZ Superannuation in 2025 reflect the recent NZ Superannuation 2025 increase explained in detail by Aotearoa Voice.

Frequently asked questions