How Much is NZ Pension? 2026 Rates, Eligibility & Tax Info

If you’re approaching retirement or just curious about what New Zealand’s state pension actually pays, the numbers can feel like a moving target. This guide cuts through the confusion with the latest official rates, clear eligibility rules, and the tax details that can make a real difference to your weekly income, so by the end you’ll know exactly how much NZ Super you could receive and whether you can keep working while collecting it.

Single living alone (after tax, M code): $555 per week · Single sharing (after tax, M code): $512 per week · Each partner in a couple (after tax, M code): $423 per week · NZ Super rate increase date: 1 April 2026 · Minimum residency requirement: 10 years after age 20 · Eligible age: 65

The table below outlines the key eligibility criteria for NZ Super.

The six criteria above form the eligibility backbone – but the real difference in your pocket comes from the rates and how taxes nibble at them.

How much do you get on a pension in NZ?

• Single living alone (after tax, M code): $555 per week, $1,110 per fortnight, $28,868 per year (Work and Income)
• Single sharing (after tax, M code): $512 per week, $1,025 per fortnight, $26,624 per year (Opes Partners – Opes Partners)
• Each partner in a couple (after tax, M code): $423 per week, $846 per fortnight, $21,996 per year (Lifetime Income – Lifetime Income)

NZ Super rates for single people (living alone vs sharing)

The difference between living alone and sharing is about $43 per week after tax. Work and Income defines “sharing” as living with one or more adults aged 18 or older in a private residence. If you live alone, you get the higher rate – a small but meaningful boost for those who cover all household costs solo.

NZ Super rates for couples (each partner)

Couples receive a per-person payment, not a combined household sum. Each partner gets the sharing rate ($423 per week after tax, M code). Combined, that’s $846 per week – a lower per-person rate than a single sharer, because two people share costs.

The implication: Your living situation directly affects your weekly income by up to $43 – a difference of more than $2,200 per year.

How much is NZ pension for a couple?

• Each partner receives $423 per week after tax (M code) – that’s $846 combined per week, $1,708 combined per fortnight (Work and Income)
• The couple rate is set at 66% of the net average ordinary time weekly earnings (Sorted – Sorted)

The fortnightly combined amount of $1,708.16 is the most common payment schedule for couples. Because it’s per person, each partner’s payment is independent – if one partner qualifies and the other doesn’t (due to residency or age), only the eligible person receives the payment.

What this means: For a couple both retired, the combined income of $846 per week is often sufficient for a modest lifestyle but may fall short in high-cost areas.

How long do you need to live in NZ to get a pension?

• You must be a New Zealand citizen, permanent resident, or hold a residence class visa and be ordinarily resident when applying (Become.nz – Become.nz)
• You need at least 10 years of residence in New Zealand after age 20, with at least 5 years after age 50 (govt.nz – govt.nz)

Residency requirements for NZ Super

The 10-year rule is the standard, but it’s being phased up to 20 years for people born after 1 July 1982. For most current retirees, 10 years after age 20 is sufficient. The 5-years-after-50 rule ensures you have a recent connection to New Zealand.

Can you get NZ Super if you are an NZ citizen but live overseas?

You can receive NZ Super while living overseas, but only if you meet the residency requirement at the time of application and have lived in New Zealand for at least 10 years after age 20. Payments are made to those living in certain countries, but the rate may be frozen at the New Zealand rate – no annual increases apply while overseas. The key takeaway: NZ Super is portable overseas, but you forfeit future increases, making it less valuable for those who leave permanently.

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

Yes – and there is no earnings limit. You can work full time, earn any salary, and still receive the full NZ Super amount. This is a key difference from many other countries where state pensions are reduced if you earn above a threshold (Work and Income).

How much can I earn on the pension NZ without penalty?

There is no cap. Unlike the UK state pension or Australia’s Age Pension, NZ Super is not means-tested against income. You can earn $100,000 a year from a job and still get the full $555 per week. Sorted confirms that “all eligible New Zealanders receive NZ Super regardless of how much they earn through paid work, have in savings or investments, or have paid in taxes.”

Rules for Working after 65

Age Concern New Zealand notes that many people choose to work part-time after 65, and NZ Super’s flexibility supports that. The only thing to watch is your tax code – if you start a new job, you may need to adjust your tax code to avoid underpayment (Age Concern New Zealand – Age Concern New Zealand).

The catch: While there’s no earnings penalty, working while on NZ Super can lead to higher taxes, so choosing the correct tax code is crucial.

How much is NZ pension after tax?

The published “after tax” rates assume you’re using tax code M (the main income code). If you have other income or use a different tax code, your net payment will change.

How tax codes affect your NZ Super payment

• M code – for main job only: gives the standard after-tax rate (e.g., $555/week for single living alone).
• S code – for secondary job: a higher withholding rate (about 30%) may apply, reducing your net payment.
• SH code – for secondary job with a student loan: even higher withholding.
• ST code – for secondary job with a higher tax rate (39%): used if you expect total income over $180,000.

The Work and Income site provides a before-tax and after-tax table for each living situation. For example, a single person living alone receives $1,294.74 before tax per fortnight, but $1,110.30 after tax with M code.

Using the NZ Super calculator

For a personalised estimate, use the Sorted NZ Super calculator. It lets you input your living situation, tax code, and any other income to see exactly what you’ll get.

Why this matters: The after-tax gap between M code and S code can be as much as $50 per week – that’s $2,600 a year lost to over-withholding if you choose the wrong code.

Ten specifications, one pattern: NZ Super is designed to be simple and universal, with few traps – but the tax code and residency rules are the two areas where people most often get tripped up.

“NZ Super is paid after tax and the standard tax code used when it is a person’s main income is M.”

Sorted (New Zealand’s independent money guide)

“You can get NZ Super even if you are still working – there are no employment restrictions and you can earn employment income, run a business, or earn investment income without any reduction to NZ Super entitlement.”

Work and Income (New Zealand’s benefit agency)

“Many people choose to work part-time after 65, and NZ Super’s flexibility supports that.”

Age Concern New Zealand (advocacy for older people)

Summary: NZ Super is a universal, non-means-tested state pension that provides a modest but reliable income floor for New Zealanders aged 65 and over. Its no-earnings-limit policy is a standout feature globally, but the after-tax amount and residency hurdles can catch people off guard. For a New Zealander approaching retirement, the choice is clear: understand your tax code and living situation now, or risk losing up to $2,600 a year to over-withholding.

Frequently asked questions