An ageing population puts pressure on NZ Super and raises questions about how New Zealanders save.
NZ Super is paid to everyone 65 and over who meets residency rules. Its cost is growing as the population ages, and some parties propose raising the age over the next decade or two.
ACT's 2026 fiscal plan raises the NZ Super age to 67 on a faster timetable than National, with an exemption pathway for people in physically demanding jobs. Source
The Greens do not back raising the eligibility age and support keeping NZ Super as a universal entitlement. Source
Labour has ruled out raising the eligibility age above 65 or means-testing NZ Super, citing the need for certainty for retirees. Source
National proposes gradually lifting the age from 65 to 67 starting in 2044, so people born before 1979 are unaffected. Source
NZ First opposes any change to NZ Super eligibility or entitlements, including raising the age. Source
No formal 2026 super policy, but the party has argued Māori should be able to access super earlier because of lower life expectancy, not later. Source
UnconfirmedOpportunity would fold NZ Super into a Citizen's Income with a top-up for superannuitants; no stated position on changing the eligibility age was found. Source
KiwiSaver is currently opt-out: new employees are enrolled automatically but can leave. Making it compulsory would raise retirement savings but reduce take-home pay.
ACT opposes compulsory KiwiSaver, arguing it would hit wages; it prefers removing tax on KiwiSaver earnings instead. Source
UnconfirmedThe Greens had not released a 2026 KiwiSaver policy; no public position on compulsion was found. Source
Labour would make employer contributions compulsory for all employees from 2028, but employee contributions would remain voluntary. Source
National would make KiwiSaver or an equivalent scheme compulsory for all workers from July 2028, with contributions rising to 6% each by 2032. Source
NZ First has long backed compulsory KiwiSaver, along with enrolment at birth and higher contribution rates. Source
UnconfirmedNo formal KiwiSaver policy; the party opposed higher matched contributions, saying many Māori on low incomes cannot afford to save more. Source
Opportunity proposes 'KiwiSaver 2.0', a compulsory, universal scheme with employer and employee contributions rising to 6% each. Source