Hello,
A technical question on eligibility of NZ Super. The following criteria if met will qualify one to receive NZ Super (extracted from some NZ Super website):
• In order to qualify for New Zealand superannuation (a pension paid by the government) you must have lived in New Zealand legally for at least 10 years since you turned 20. Five of these years must be since you turned 50.
Question:
If I became a NZ resident at the age of 50 and have lived in NZ for a total of 5 years (accumulated, on and off) by the time I reach 65, I will still be 5 years short of the 10 years requirement for NZ Super. If however I spent 5 years in NZ legally between the age of 20-25, with a student visa (not a resident then, only became resident at age of 50), can that 5 years as a student be counted towards the total 10 years requirement?
Another way to look at it is whether the 10 years requirement must all be clocked while being a NZ resident? Can time clocked in NZ under other types of visa such as student visa, work visa etc. be counted towards the 10 years requirement for NZ Super?