Take a single person living alone, on the standard M tax code. The indicative after-tax NZ Super rate for that situation is about $519 a week. NZ Super is usually paid fortnightly, so the fortnightly amount is two weeks at $519, which is $1,038. Annualised across 52 weeks, that comes to about $26,988 a year, paid regardless of other income or assets from age 65.
Your living situation changes the rate. A single person sharing accommodation receives a little less than someone living alone, and each partner of a couple receives less again, because the payment is designed around household costs. So a couple where both qualify receive two of the lower per-person rates combined. These figures are after-tax at the M code and are indicative only. The official rates are reset each April and you should confirm the current amount with Work and Income, as your tax code and any overseas pension can change what lands in your account.
How it is calculated
NZ Superannuation is a universal pension, not a means-tested benefit, so it is paid from age 65 regardless of your other income, savings, or assets. The rate is set as a percentage of the average ordinary-time wage and is adjusted every April to keep pace with wages and prices. What you actually receive depends on two things: your living situation and your tax code. A single person living alone gets the highest rate, a single person sharing gets a little less, and each member of a couple gets less again. The tool shows the after-tax weekly amount at the common M code and scales it to fortnightly and annual figures. Because the rates change yearly and your tax code may differ, treat these as a guide and verify the current numbers with Work and Income.
Frequently asked questions
How much is NZ Super?
New Zealand Superannuation is a universal pension paid from age 65, regardless of other income or assets, at rates set as a percentage of the average wage and adjusted each April. The after-tax amount depends on your living situation and tax code. A single person living alone gets more than each member of a couple. These figures are indicative; confirm current rates with Work and Income.
Does NZ Super affect KiwiSaver?
NZ Super does not affect KiwiSaver directly. You can continue withdrawing from your KiwiSaver balance after age 65 at any time, and those withdrawals are tax-free. However, KiwiSaver contributions from your employer stop once you turn 65, and you cannot make voluntary contributions that attract the government member tax credit after that age. KiwiSaver savings are separate from NZ Super and do not reduce the amount you receive.
Is NZ Super taxed?
Yes. NZ Super is taxable income under IRD rules and is taxed at source by Work and Income using your tax code. Most people use the M code, which applies standard PAYE rates. If you have other income, such as from employment, a rental, or investments, your total income may push you into a higher tax bracket and you may need to file an IR3 return or use a secondary tax code to avoid an end-of-year bill. You can check and update your tax code with IRD at any time.
Can you get NZ Super and still work?
Yes. NZ Super is universal and is not means-tested, so you can work full-time or part-time and still receive the full NZ Super payment. Your employment income is taxed separately under PAYE. There is no abatement or clawback for earning wages or salary on top of NZ Super. This is different from other benefits such as Jobseeker Support, which are income-tested. If you live overseas for more than 26 weeks in any year, you may need to notify Work and Income, as extended absences can affect portability.