← Guides / New Zealand

NZ Superannuation Guide — Eligibility, Rates, and Tax Rules in New Zealand

the New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super). The guide covers the eligibility (the age 65 and the 10-year residency), the payment rates (the after-tax rates for the single living alone and the couple), the tax withholding through PAYE, and the overseas portability for the qualifying Pacific countries.

Eligibility and Payment Rates

New Zealand Superannuation is available to the residents aged 65 and older who meet the residency requirement — the 10 years of the NZ residence after the age of 20, with the 5 years since the age of 50. The payment rates for the 2025-26 (the after-tax, the net): single living alone — up to $1,051.78 per fortnight (before tax: $1,358.64), single sharing accommodation — up to $969.60 per fortnight, couple (both qualify) — up to $809.72 per person per fortnight. The NZ Super is indexed to the net average wage. The payments include the Winter Energy Payment of up to $31.66 per week for the singles and $48.44 for the couples (the May to September period). See our NZ Super Guide → for the comprehensive rules.

Tax Treatment and Overseas Portability

The NZ Super payments are taxable income and are subject to the PAYE deductions at the M tax code rate. The recipients may request the special tax code if the other income sources affect the marginal rate. The NZ Super may be paid overseas to the eligible recipients living in the qualifying Pacific countries (the Cook Islands, the Niue, the Tokelau, the Samoa) and the United Kingdom under the Social Security Agreements. The overseas portability for the other countries is generally limited to the 26 weeks for the temporary absences. See our Retirement Planning Guide → for the comprehensive retirement strategy.