Superannuation

New Zealand Superannuation is the best protection against longevity risk, and we allneed a good NZS system. It is quite possible that, despite the introduction of KiwiSaver, younger cohorts will need NZS just as much, if not more, than older cohorts, because of lower homeownership, lower wage growth, less...

Throughout 2024, the Government has prioritised rebuilding the economy, reducing living costs, improving healthcare and education, and making New Zealand safer. These are key concerns for seniors, and we are committed to lasting improvements which support wellbeing and quality of life. To help seniors manage rising costs, we have introduced tax...

New Zealand First is proud to be progressing policy commitments from our coalition agreement which prioritise the wellbeing of our older New Zealanders. It recognises that an ageing population is not a burden we need to overcome, but a privilege which enriches our communities. It is difficult to find...

Retirement Commissioner Jane Wrightson was one of the key invited speakers who addressed the Grey Power Annual General Meeting in Wellington earlier this year. Wrightson, who was appointed in late 2022, cited the purpose statement for New Zealand’s retirement income system. The objective, she said, was to achieve a stable...

Late last year the Retirement Commission published their triennial Review of Retirement Income Policies. Grey Power was one of only three submitters to this work. So, what were some of the recommendations? Maintain NZ Super at current settings (current age of eligibility, universal, indexed). This is a key recommendation, aligned with...

The Retirement Commission, Te Ara Ahunga Ora recently released a paper providing a simple description of New Zealand Superannuation to aid discussion of NZ Super. Details are reprinted below. SUMMARY The paper aims to provide a simple description of New Zealand Superannuation for the purposes of understanding the policy situation....

In our last issue we discussed the June online survey of over 2,800 members to assess the adequacy of NZ Super. In Part 2 we focus on survey results related to accommodation including downsizing and reverse mortgages, key ideas to improve NZS, and our commitment to volunteer work. In Part...

Well-respected New Zealand economist Len Bayliss (1927-1918) said in 1996, ”Doomsday rhetoric characterises NZ media handling of retirement income policy”. Twenty-five years later his comment still retains validity. Some of the language about NZ Superannuation over the last two decades has moderated, and there is now a growing awareness that...

An on-line survey of members to assess the adequacy of NZ Super was conducted in June this year. The aim was to have data to support the Federation’s submission to the Retirement Commission for the 2022 Review of Retirement Income Policies that will be submitted to Government by the...