Retiring to New Zealand – 30 of your questions answered


Here are 30 questions about retiring in New Zealand that were posted on ENZ in 2012, along with our answers. If you would like to post a comment or question yourself, you can do so on our retiring in New Zealand page.

  1. Kathy Moore says:

    Do I, a NZ born citizen, receive the NZ pension at 65 if my husband, a UK citizen has a private UK pension as well as a government UK pension.

    • Hi Kathy,

      On the basis of the information you have given, you will qualify for NZ Super. You must have lived in New Zealand for at least 10 years since you turned 20. Five of those years must be since you turned 50. However as there is a social security agreement with the UK, time spent in the UK may count towards this.

      It’s an important matter so I would suggest you contact Work and Income directly and they will explain the rules for your individual circumstances. These pages may be useful for you NZ Super

      Also, you might want to check if it is possible for your husband to receive NZ super instead of the UK state pension as the UK pension is not index linked when you live in New Zealand.

  2. My husband is a New Zealand citizen, currently living and working in the US. He currently has US permanent residency status. I am a US citizen, retired. We have been married since 1995. We hope to relocate to New Zealand when my husband retires in 2020. Will I be allowed to stay indefinitely?… be required to obtain 2 yr. temporary retirement residency?…fall under the asset and income requirements for retirees?…
    Also, where can I find information concerning the benefits/liabilities of shifting our assets from US to NZ?…tax requirements and such?

    • Hi Ann,
      As you are a wife of a New Zealand citizen, you can apply for a visa under the Family Partnership Category. Your partner must be a New Zealand citizen or resident, and support your application. An application from and full details are on the New Zealand Immigration site.

      Of course your planned move is in the future and these are the current rules and they may be subject to change.

      Concerning moving your finances, it may be worthwhile getting financial advice from an accountant both in the US and in New Zealand about the specific financial/tax implications of a move to New Zealand.

      Also, you can find useful general advice and tips on our forum.

  3. We are thinking of emigrating to nz with two young children. Would it be possible to bring my 72 yr old father along if we were going to support him? We are all currently UK citizens and residents. He has a UK pension & some personal funds.

    • Hi Susie,
      Under the skilled migrant category, you can only include your partner and dependent children in your application.
      You would need to be approved and settled in New Zealand for three years before parents can apply under the parent category. You can read about this here

  4. Albert Jensen says:

    I am 71 and retired, my wife is 55 and plans to retire within a year. Would it be possible to just rent a home in NZ and live their with our pensions (About $5,000 USD) or is that not enough money?

    • Hi,
      To apply under the temporary retirement category you need to have considerable funds (at least NZ$0.75 million). Information is on
      this page

  5. My husband and I are in our mid 50′s I draw a company pension, he has two to come when he is 60 and 65, how can we apply to come and retire there, do we need to live and work there first?

    • People in a similar position are members of our forum, a good option you could pursue is to talk about the different visa options there.

  6. Constantine Potonides says:

    I am an Australian citizen currently living in Cyprus with my wife and two -under 18 children-.(since 1994). I am receiving invalid pension from Cyprus and Australia.
    since 2004 and I am now considering the possibility to permanently move and live in New Zealand for a better quality of life – if not Australia – with all my family.
    Will I be entitled to a full pension from New Zealand as I would be if I repatriate back to Australia? My wife is younger than me and not a pensioner and she – if allowed – will work. My children could go to school in New Zealand. I admired New Zealand and the New Zealanders I met when I was living in Australia. You live in a safe / clean / peaceful country and that is why I consider it for immigration/relocation.
    Please advise me!

    • Hi Constantine,
      You can contact Work and Income Senior Services International on 1800 150 479 who are able to advise you on your entitlements if you were to move to New Zealand.

  7. I am a NZ citizen and I live with my spouse in Canada.
    We both lived and worked in NZ and both receive a NZ pension.
    However he is not a Nz citizen.
    Can we retire to NZ?
    Do we have to meet the requirements of investing 3/4 million dollars?
    We have Canadian pensions which are reciprocal’
    Gillian

    • Hi Gillian,
      Since you are a NZ citizen, your husband can apply for a partner visa. You must be eligible to support him, and your partner will need to meet a number of requirements before he can apply for residence under the Family Partnership Category. Further details are

      here.

  8. lacey webster says:

    would like information on coming home to live …i am 65 next year,born in nz ,left to live in australia 1986, became australian citizen …. currently on a carers pension ,would i qualify for aged pension if i was to return to nz.and if so what would be the aged pension income be for a single person.

    • Hi,
      The current maximum payment rate for NZ Super is $400.07 a week before tax for a single person living alone.

      You can contact Work and Income Senior Services International on 1800 150 479 who are able to advise you on your entitlements if you were to return to New Zealand.

  9. Jan Cottle says:

    My husband and I are both receiving N.Z.Supperannuation. Are we able to continue receiving it if we go to live in say Norfolk Island, France or England.

    • Hi Jan,
      Whether or not you can still receive NZ Super depends on which country you move to. WINZ have information for those receiving NZ Super and are going overseas to live permanently.

      If you move to the UK you can’t get NZ Super but you may be entitled to a UK State pension.

      If you move to France you may be able to continue receiving NZ Super.

  10. I moved to New Zealand in 2000. Obtained a business entrepreneur Visa in 2001. Ran a successful business and gained Permanenet Residence in 2004. Citizenship in 2006. Eventually had to give up the business due to health problems but continued working until I was made redundant. Have reached retirement age (am 66) and would continue working if I could find work. What does the New Zealand law state regarding me applying for New Zealand pension. Thank you

    • Hi there,
      Work and Income says that to qualify for NZ Super :
      ‘You must also have lived in New Zealand for at least 10 years since you turned 20. Five of those years must be since you turned 50.
      However, people may qualify for New Zealand Superannuation with less than 10 years residence if they have migrated to New Zealand from countries with which New Zealand has a social security agreement.’
      Reference

      You can contact WINZ to find out your entitlement based on your individual circumstances.

  11. Stephen Richman says:

    Hi, I live in the US. I am 64 my wife 61 and my daughter is 24 and lives with us full time. What would it take for all of us to relocate to New Zealand. I do have funds to invest in New Zealand and have adequate income to live on to support my family. Where does my daughter fit into the immigration picture.

    • Hi Stephen,

      The temporary retirement category visa requires that:

      ‘You must nominate investment funds and/or assets equivalent to at least NZ$0.75 million and undertake to invest them in New Zealand for a period of two years.

      You must also nominate NZ$0.5 million for maintenance funds, and be able to show an annual income of NZ$60,000 at the time of your application.’

      You can include your partner in your application but not children.

      More details are on this page.

  12. Barbara Wilkinson says:

    I am a NZ citizen turning 65 in November.My husband has permanent residence and is 55.He is unemployed. When I go on the superannuation are we eligible to receive the married superannuation?

    • Hi Barbara,

      Without a bit more information it is not possible to say for sure but if you have a look at the Work and Income Pension rates page it should help you.

      Work and Income can help you work out whether it is to your financial advantage to include your partner or not in your payments.

  13. Samantha Williams says:

    Hi,

    My husband’s parents live in the UK and are coming to NZ to live. They have been accepted and have a NZ residents visa. Could you please explain if they are eligible for the NZ pension if they give up their English state pension and how this works.

    Many thanks

    • Hello Samantha,

      Briefly, your parents- in- law will keep their UK pensions and may be ‘topped up’ as appropriate to the NZ state pension.
      New Zealand and the UK have a social security agreement. Your parents-in-law can also contact Senior Services International on 0800 777 227 from New Zealand to find out their entitlement based on their individual circumstances.

      Work and Income have a questions and answers page about UK pensions paid in New Zealand which you may also find useful.

  14. Kevin Comer says:

    I am a NZ citizen and lived and worked in NZ up until turning 49 years of age when I moved to Australia. I am now 59 years of age and have spent 7 of the past 10 years living and working in Australia. Will I be eligible for the NZ pension on turning 65 years of age.

    • Hi Kevin,

      If you return to New Zealand you will qualify for NZ Super as Australia and New Zealand have a social security agreement . Your time spent in Australia will ‘count’ towards your required NZ residency years for NZ Super purposes:

      ‘Receiving a New Zealand benefit or pension in New Zealand
      Can I receive New Zealand Superannuation?
      You may qualify for NZ Super in New Zealand if you have lived in Australia and/or New Zealand and:
      • you are 65 or over
      • you qualify for the Australian Age Pension
      • you are in New Zealand when you apply
      • you intend to remain in New Zealand for at least one year or have lived in New Zealand for at least six months
      • you have lived in Australia for a period of at least 12 months between the ages of 20 and 65, including six continuous months
      • you have lived in New Zealand for at least 10 years since you turned 20, with five years since the age of 50 (you can use time spent living in Australia to count towards this)’

      If you stay in Australia you may qualify for an Australian Age Pension. Australian Age Pensions are income and asset tested.

  15. David Squair says:

    I am a retired New Zealand citizen receiving a small partial NZ pension and the Australian pension. If I were to move back to NZ (family still lives there), is there a reciprocal agreement between NZ and Australia that would allow me to count my Australian residency towards an increased NZ pension?

    • Hi David,

      If you return to NZ, Work and Income say that:
      ‘If you live in New Zealand or intend to, you may qualify for a benefit or pension from both New Zealand and Australia…..When this happens the total amount you receive will generally be similar to the amount you would have received if you had spent all your life in New Zealand.’

      You can contact Work and Income Senior Services International on 1800 150 479 who are able to advise you on your entitlements if you were to return to New Zealand.

  16. Hi my dad has just turned 66 he’s originally from Afghanistan but has been living in NZ Since 2002,he is a NZ citizen, he hasn’t worked here at all because he had a 3bypass heart surgery, is he eligible for any of the retirement benefits or not ?my mum also being a NZ citizen would she go under his retirement benefit if approved ?

    Your help is much appreciated

    • Hi ,

      The rules on NZ Super are :
      ‘You may be able to get New Zealand Superannuation if you:
      • are aged 65 or over
      • are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
      • normally live in New Zealand at the time you apply.

      You must also have lived in New Zealand for at least 10 years since you turned 20. Five of those years must be since you turned 50. ‘
      The Contact phone number for WINZ (NZ Super) is Freephone 0800 552 002, Monday to Friday, 8am-5pm, who can answer enquiries about your specific details.

  17. My wife & I are NZ citizens, we have lived in Australia for the past 4 years, we intend to retire to NZ in 9 years, we then intend to spend 6 months of the year in Australia, will there be any restrictions placed on us in relation to receiving a NZ pension by doing this.

    We are also looking at duel citizenship to enable us to be covered by Medicare in Australia while living in Australia will this effect the NZ pension.

    • Hi Doug,

      If you are visiting Australia, you can continue to receive NZ Super for up to 26 weeks after you leave New Zealand.

      To get an Australian Age Pension, you must be an Australian resident. In general, this means that you must have been in Australia for more than 26 weeks or intend to stay there for more than 12 months.

      For more details, there is an New Zealand WINZ ( NZ Super) international services team that can be contacted from Australia on 1800 150 479. Contact details for centrelink, Australia ( Australian Age pension) is 13 1673.

  18. Hi,

    I’m a NZ citizen and I live and work in the US. I’m in my 40?s and I will continue to work in the US until I retire, at 65, I suppose. Can I then return to
    NZ to retire and receive NZ super or is there some particular criteria? Thanks.

    • Hi Steve,

      The basic rules are:
      You may be able to get New Zealand Superannuation if you:
      • are aged 65 or over
      • are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
      • normally live in New Zealand at the time you apply.

      You must also have lived in New Zealand for at least 10 years since you turned 20. Five of those years must be since you turned 50.

      However, people may qualify for New Zealand Superannuation with less than 10 years residence if they have migrated to New Zealand from countries with which New Zealand has a social security agreement. As far as I am aware New Zealand does not have a social security arrangement with the USA.

  19. My Wife and I are Australian citizens (40 years). We are both retired, we have our own private Super fund as well as receiving small pension from Australia and small pension from the UK. Our gross income from these resources sits at around AU$50000 PA. We also have capital of about AU850,000. What are the conditions if we wish to move permanently to New Zealand

    • Hi Peter,

      Here are the relevant sections from the Work and Income page detailing the social security agreement between Australia and New Zealand. There is a link at the end which you may find useful.

      Work and Income say:

      ‘If you live in New Zealand or intend to, you may qualify for a benefit or pension from both New Zealand and Australia.

      Once your applications are processed, you may be paid benefits or pensions made up of payments from both New Zealand and Australia eg what you are paid may be made up of an Australian Age Pension and a New Zealand Superannuation payment. When this happens the total amount you receive will generally be similar to the amount you would have received if you had spent all your life in New Zealand.

      You may qualify for NZ Super in New Zealand if you have lived in Australia and/or New Zealand and:
      • you are 65 or over
      • you qualify for the Australian Age Pension
      • you are in New Zealand when you apply
      • you intend to remain in New Zealand for at least one year or have lived in New Zealand for at least six months
      • you have lived in Australia for a period of at least 12 months between the ages of 20 and 65, including six continuous months
      • you have lived in New Zealand for at least 10 years since you turned 20, with five years since the age of 50 (you can use time spent living in Australia to count towards this)’

      Reference


  20. Sarah Kent says:

    My partner and I are considering moving to NZ on the investment/business visa
    My parents Are 63 and 61 and have funds of over £1million nz dollars plus uk state and employer pensions would they be accepted to come to nz also?

    • Hi Sarah,

      The maximum age for the Investor category is 65 and the minimum investment is NZ$1.5 million invested in New Zealand for four years.

      Details are on this ENZ page.

  21. I would like to know if you are a Chinese immigrant and have been in NZ for two years,then bring my parents who are pensioners over are they entitled to the NZ pension?

    • Hi Mark,

      The basic rules are:
      You may be able to get New Zealand Superannuation if you:
      • are aged 65 or over
      • are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
      • normally live in New Zealand at the time you apply.

      You must also have lived in New Zealand for at least 10 years since you turned 20. Five of those years must be since you turned 50.

      However, people may qualify for New Zealand Superannuation with less than 10 years residence if they have migrated to New Zealand from countries with which New Zealand has a social security agreement. As far as I am aware New Zealand does not have a social security arrangement with China.

  22. richard Detlefs says:

    My wife and I are American citizens in our early 60′s. we are planning to retire in the near future and would like to consider retiring to NZ. We are financially well set and would not require a NZ pension or any financial assitance. Is there a pathway to NZ citizenship for retiring financially independant foreign nationals?

    • The Temporary Retirement Category is a two year visitor visa which, importantly, is renewable. It is not a permanent visa.

      People in a similar position are members of our forum, a good option you could pursue is to talk about your options there.

      //www.enz.org/forum/

  23. Hi, I’m a NZ citizen aged 50years thinking of returning to NZ (after living and working in Australia for 25years) to live, set up a business and invest in property to live. Would I be eligible for a Pension in NZ at age 65 or greater ?

    My partner has NZ citizenship also including his 2 children, he is 45years, he worked in NZ from 1998- 2000 and wishes to return also ? What is his eligibilty, for the same as me ?

    Thanking you for help,

    Sue

    • Hi Sue, if you return to New Zealand you will qualify for NZ Super as Australia and New Zealand have a social security agreement. Your time spent in Australia will ‘count’ towards your required NZ residency years for NZ Super purposes:

      Receiving a New Zealand benefit or pension in New Zealand

      Can I receive New Zealand Superannuation?
      You may qualify for NZ Super in New Zealand if you have lived in Australia and/or New Zealand and:
      • you are 65 or over
      • you qualify for the Australian Age Pension
      • you are in New Zealand when you apply
      • you intend to remain in New Zealand for at least one year or have lived in New Zealand for at least six months
      • you have lived in Australia for a period of at least 12 months between the ages of 20 and 65, including six continuous months
      • you have lived in New Zealand for at least 10 years since you turned 20, with five years since the age of 50 (you can use time spent living in Australia to count towards this)’

  24. My wife and I currently live in the U.S. We would like to become a part of the New Zealand economy and lifestyle and to become citizens.

    In brief, my background is in Banking and Financial Advising as well as Real Estate development. My wife and I have owned several corporations. I say all of this not as a resume post but rather to see if these experiences would permit us the opportunity to obtain work that could lead us to a way to become New Zealanders.

    My wife is 45 and I am 58.

    Thank you for any advice you can offer.

    • Hi Bill, it’s certainly possible that you could use your experience/background/assets to move to NZ. If you’re interested, our forum is a good place to talk about this in more detail.

  25. im a british citizen, single , 65 and retired, my daughter lives in Canberra, Australia why cant i , buy a property in New Zealand, live there 4 or 5 months (all to do with the fishing season) live ( torment ) my daughter for 3 month, then back to Brit for rest,, whats the pitfalls in this dream.. it cant be that easy…

    • Hi Reg, it’s okay from a New Zealand immigration point of view. As a UK citizen, you will be allowed to stay in New Zealand for six months on each visit, and for no more than six months in any 12-month period.

      Non residents are allowed to buy houses/property in New Zealand, provided you’re not aiming to buy 5 hectares or more.

      As a UK passport holder, you are entitled to some basic public healthcare. Details are

      here.

  26. my husband and i are NZ citizens that have been living in Australia since 1979. We are looking at returning to NZ to retire in the next 1-2yrs. We both have personal super in Australia, and are both 57. Would we be entitled to NZ super at the age of 65.

    • Hi Chris, if you return to New Zealand you will qualify for NZ Super as Australia and New Zealand have a social security agreement. Your time spent in Australia will ‘count’ towards your required NZ residency years for NZ Super purposes:

      Receiving a New Zealand benefit or pension in New Zealand

      Can I receive New Zealand Superannuation?
      You may qualify for NZ Super in New Zealand if you have lived in Australia and/or New Zealand and:
      • you are 65 or over
      • you qualify for the Australian Age Pension
      • you are in New Zealand when you apply
      • you intend to remain in New Zealand for at least one year or have lived in New Zealand for at least six months
      • you have lived in Australia for a period of at least 12 months between the ages of 20 and 65, including six continuous months
      • you have lived in New Zealand for at least 10 years since you turned 20, with five years since the age of 50 (you can use time spent living in Australia to count towards this)’

      • if we meet all the guidlines apart from qualifying for the Aust Age Pension (it is means tested with low asset base) will this mean we would not be eligible for NZ pension?

        • Hi Chris,

          Work and Income NZ say that if you move from Australia to new Zealand ‘Generally, the total amount you are paid is about equal to the New Zealand benefit or pension you would be paid if you had lived all your life in New Zealand.’

          Work and income NZ also say:

          ‘Q. What happens if my income and/or assets are above the limits for an Australian pension?

          A. If you live in Australia, this means that you won’t be paid an Australian pension or a New Zealand pension or benefit.

          If you live in New Zealand, your New Zealand payment will not be affected.’

          To be absolutely sure about how they would apply it to your circumstances, you can contact The Ministry of Social Development’s Senior Services International from Australia on 1800 150 479 or email: international.services@msd.govt.nz

  27. Hello, I’m an Australian Permanent Resident who’s considering a move to NZ. I’m age 54, & a US citizen who hopes to retire at around age 65. If I stay permanently in NZ,
    will I be eligible for a NZ Super? If so, will my US Social Security & employment-based pensions impact the amount of a NZ Super I can draw or vice versa?
    Many thanks & Kind regards.

    • Hi George,

      To qualify for NZ Super you must have lived in New Zealand for at least 10 years since you turned 20. Five of those years must be since you turned 50. (Time spent in Australia will count towards this).

      In very general terms employment pensions do not affect the amount of NZ Super you would receive but state pensions may affect the amount of NZ Super you get.

      To be absolutely sure about how they would apply it to your circumstances, you can contact The Ministry of Social Development’s Senior Services International from Australia on 1800 150 479 or email: international.services@msd.govt.nz

  28. I was born in N.Z. in 1952 and worked in N.Z.from 1969 until I moved to Australia in 1974, I became an Australia citizen in 1988, I wish to return to N.Z. shortly will I be eligible for a full N.Z. pension when I turn 65 in 2017.

    • Hi Robert, if you return to New Zealand you will qualify for NZ Super as Australia and New Zealand have a social security agreement. Your time spent in Australia will ‘count’ towards your required NZ residency years for NZ Super purposes:

      Receiving a New Zealand benefit or pension in New Zealand

      Can I receive New Zealand Superannuation?
      You may qualify for NZ Super in New Zealand if you have lived in Australia and/or New Zealand and:
      • you are 65 or over
      • you qualify for the Australian Age Pension
      • you are in New Zealand when you apply
      • you intend to remain in New Zealand for at least one year or have lived in New Zealand for at least six months
      • you have lived in Australia for a period of at least 12 months between the ages of 20 and 65, including six continuous months
      • you have lived in New Zealand for at least 10 years since you turned 20, with five years since the age of 50 (you can use time spent living in Australia to count towards this)’

      To be absolutely sure, you can contact The Ministry of Social Development’s Senior Services International from Australia on 1800 150 479 or email: international.services@msd.govt.nz

  29. thankyou for your answer in my previous question. In Australia personal super earnings are tax free once you reach the age of 60. if we convert our personal australian super to a personal pension plan would it be taxed in NZ as overseas income by the NZ tax department. And does it still make you eligable for NZ pension if other criteria is met.

    • Hi Chris,

      Here are details from the New Zealand Inland Revenue (IRD) Overseas Private Pensions booklet. This booklet is currently unavailable on the IRD’s website so the information contained in it may be under review.

      From the booklet:
      ‘If your pension qualifies as a qualifying foreign private annuity (QFPA) interest then you simply pay tax on any pension received from the QFPA interest. This method of tax treatment is called the “pension-received basis”.

      If no pension or other income is received from the scheme, there will be no taxable income.

      A QFPA interest is an investment in an overseas private pension scheme that meets all the following four criteria:

      1. The investment is in an overseas superannuation scheme or life insurance policy and entitles you to a pensioneither now or in the future.

      2. The investment (including all contributions) was made:
      – when you were not resident in New Zealand, or
      – within four years of the start of the income year in which you became a New Zealand tax resident, or
      – from the proceeds of a superannuation fund that were transferred either in anticipation of you leaving New Zealand or after you have left.

      3. There are restrictions on assigning future benefits (except for matrimonial transfers).

      4. There are restrictions on the investment being surrendered, charged or borrowed against. ‘

      PDF link

      Private pensions that qualify as above will be taxed as you receive the income. The pension fund itself will not be taxed.

      In general private pensions do not affect any NZ Super you would receive.