Australian Aged Pension and NZ Superannuation
New Zealand and Australia have a reciprocal Social Security Agreement. This ensures that time spent residing in Australia and New Zealand can be used towards the qualifying period for the Australian Age Pension or New Zealand Superannuation.
From the 1 July 2017 a person must have reached whichever pension qualifying age is higher at the time they claim the Australian Age Pension or New Zealand Superannuation. Refer to the Social Security Agreement FAQs for more details.
Asset testing
The Australian Aged Pension is means tested, including for New Zealanders claiming under the Joint Agreement. Note, the family home is exempted from asset testing.
Pension age increasing
Since 1 July 2017 the pension age has been slowly increasing from 65 to 67 years. It will increase by 6 months every 2 years until Age Pension age is 67 on 1 July 2023.
In March 2017 Prime Minister Bill English announced a proposal to increase the age of eligibility for New Zealand Superannuation to 67, from 1 July 2037. No legislation was passed, and the eligibility age for New Zealand Superannuation remains at 65.
Change to NZ Super residency
In October 2018 New Zealand First MP Mark Patterson proposed raising the minimum residency requirement for NZ Super from 10 years to 20 years after age 20. The NZ Superannuation and Retirement (Fair Residency) Amendment Bill became law in November 2021. From 1 July 2024 the residency requirement for NZ Super gradually increases from 10 years to 20 years.
Note: Refer to Work and Income for the NZ Super eligibility criteria.
Related
Changes to NZ Super from 1 July 2017
Joint Social Security Agreement FAQs
New Zealanders receiving payments in Australia
Have a question?
Call Centrelink International Services on 13 16 73 or contact WINZ Senior Services International.
Disclaimer:
The above “Aged Pension and NZ Superannuation” information should not be relied on as an alternative to advice from Centrelink or Work & Income New Zealand.
If you have any specific questions about the Aged Pension or NZ Super, you should consult Centrelink or Work & Income New Zealand.