Pension question, New Zealand
How many years must I have lived in New Zealand to get NZ Super?
NZ Super requires a number of New Zealand residence years before turning 65, and the requirement is rising from 10 to 20 years by birth cohort, with anyone born on or after 1 July 1977 needing 20 years. Applicants also still need to have lived in NZ for at least 5 years since they turned 50, and these years, including the 5 years from age 50, do not need to be consecutive.
What to do next
- Add up your years of New Zealand residence since age 20.
- Check your date of birth against the residence table on the Work and Income page.
- Run our free check to see which other countries may hold a pension in your name.
Check your own working life for free
Tell us where you worked. The free check shows which countries may hold a pension for you, and which can be ruled out and why. No sign in, no charge.
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Who does the change affect?
Work and Income states that to get NZ Super or Veteran's Pension you must have lived in New Zealand for a certain amount of time, and this is gradually increasing from 10 years to 20 years, affecting people turning 65 from 1 July 2024.
Do you give advice on what to do?
No. We identify where a pension is likely held and the official route to it, and we name each source with the date we read it. We do not give financial, tax or legal advice.