Unlock your entitlements: 12 amazing benefits for older Kiwis

New Zealand has a raft of benefits lurking within its retirement income and health system, sometimes with confusing eligibility and application processes. Carolyn Tate summarises 12 great support services, concessions and rebates available to many older Kiwis - get online and check your eligibility today.

By Carolyn Tate

Are you getting all the benefits you're entitled to?

One of the great things about living in New Zealand is that we have a host of support and services for those in our society that need it. And once you’ve started to gather a fair crowd of candles on your birthday cake, that could start to include you – so why not tap into what’s available?

If you haven’t gone looking for them, it can be hard to know whether you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled to, so we’ve created this list to help you figure that out, all in one place.

You might not need them all right now, but it’s handy to be able to run through the list and see what you might be able to access now, and what could be handy in the future.

1. New Zealand Super: a jewel of a benefit for those aged over 65

The age pension provides financial support to seniors to help cover living expenses. One of the great things about NZ Super is that it’s not assets tested - almost all NZ residents over 65 are eligible to receive some payment, no matter their financial situation. However, the actual amount you receive depends on your tax code and whether you receive any other income. The payment is fortnightly for the rest of your life and pays couples about 66%, and singles 40% of average wage in NZ, which looks like a payment of between $563.24 and $1,034.24 a fortnight.

Eligibility: To qualify for NZ Super, you generally have to be at least 65 years old, be a New Zealand citizen or hold a permanent visa. Also, you must have lived in New Zealand a certain number of years depending on when you were born.
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Learn how to get the best out of NZ Super.

2. Publicly funded health services

In New Zealand, public funding pays for a variety of different health services, so it’s definitely worth checking which ones you are eligible for.

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can receive some free or low-cost services like:

• treatment at public hospitals
• hospital care if you have an accident
• support services if you are disabled
• fertility services
• maternity care
• prescriptions

Eligibility: you must be a NZ citizen or permanent resident, or an Australian citizen who has lived or plans to live in NZ for at least two years. Check out the full eligibility outline here.

However, please note that being deemed eligible is unfortunately not the end of the road. It doesn't mean you'll automatically receive a health service since many of these services have their own criteria you need to meet. It is worth persevering though if it means saving money on your health services! 

More info: Start here.

3. KiwiSaver: worth understanding and maximising the opportunity

KiwiSaver is a bit of a delayed gratification benefit, but can definitely work in your favour to fund your retirement. Now that we’ve broken down the NZ Super payment, you may be thinking you would quite like to live on more than between $563.24 and $1034.24 a fortnight when you hit retirement, which means supplementing your retirement income some other way. 

KiwiSaver is a a low-fee, voluntary savings plan that works alongside NZ Super to give you a bigger, tax-free payout when you retire. The more you contribute, the better your retirement income will be, and once you’re 65, you won’t pay tax when you take out your savings.

As un-glamourous as delayed gratification sounds, saving a little bit of money today by putting it into KiwiSaver means having more money tomorrow.

The government delivers your long-term savings with added benefit by also:

• Adding a government contribution of up to $521 every year (previously known as member tax credit).
• Having your employer contribute 3% on top of your own contribution (this varies, so talk to your boss about what they offer). 
• Letting you choose the right KiwiSaver tax rate (and type of fund) for your situation.

Check out Citro’s more in-depth breakdown of KiwiSaver to see if it might be a good option for you.

Eligibility: You can join KiwiSaver if you're a New Zealand citizen or have the right to live in New Zealand permanently, and if you live or normally live in New Zealand. However, you cannot join if you hold a temporary, visitor, work or student visa. Depending on your situation, you can enrol directly with a scheme provider.

4. The Winter Energy Payment

The Winter Energy Payment is an extra boost to help with heating costs during the colder months. If you're already receiving a main benefit, like NZ Super, Jobseeker Support, or Student Hardship, you’ll get this payment automatically from 1 May to 1 October each year. 

The best part is that there’s no need to apply, you’ll be enrolled automatically - it’s probably one of the easiest benefits to cash in on. It’s simply designed to make winter a little more comfortable by taking the edge off energy bills.

Winter Energy Payment rates

Single people with not dependent children: $20.46 a week

Couples, and people with dependent children: $31.82 a week

Eligibility: You'll only get the Winter Energy Payment if you already get one of these payments:

• NZ Super
• Veteran's Pension
• Jobseeker Support
• Jobseeker Support Student Hardship
• Sole Parent Support
• Supported Living Payment
• Young Parent Payment
• Youth Payment
• Emergency Benefit
• Emergency Maintenance Allowance.

5. SuperGold Card means big savings

The SuperGold Card is available to Kiwis aged 65 and older and offers discounts at thousands of businesses across New Zealand. It provides savings on everyday essentials like electricity, food, insurance and healthcare, plus discounts on entertainment, travel and shopping. The card also gives free off-peak public transport. There’s also a Veteran SuperGold Card for those who have served in the Armed Forces. 

Plus, if you plan on visiting Australia, it’s worth knowing that the Kiwi SuperGold card and the Australian Seniors Card can be used interchangeably in both countries. That’s right, you can even save money while visiting our Aussie neighbours.

How to apply: once you have successfully been granted NZ Super or Veteran’s pension after turning 65, you will automatically receive your SuperGold Card in the mail. If you don’t qualify for these benefits, you can still apply for a SuperGold Card.

6. Community Services Card can help keep costs low

The Community Services Card helps reduce the cost of healthcare and public transport. With it, you can pay less for certain health services, prescriptions, and transport fares. It’s designed to help lower-income households access cheaper healthcare and transport. Click here to see if your income qualifies for assistance. Be sure to carry your card with you so you can easily access these benefits. 

Eligibility: You may be eligible for the Community Services Card if you're 16 or older, a New Zealand citizen, permanent resident, or have refugee or protection status, and you normally live in New Zealand with plans to stay. Eligibility also depends on the income you and your partner receive, which includes money, goods and services from any source.

7. Do you qualify for Disability Allowance?

The Disability Allowance is a weekly payment for people with ongoing, regular costs due to a disability. This can include expenses like doctor or hospital visits, medications, extra clothing or travel. You may qualify for Disability Allowance if your disability is likely to last 6 months or more.

Eligibility: You may be eligible for the Disability Allowance if you have a disability expected to last at least 6 months, with regular, ongoing costs not fully covered by another agency. You must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and normally live in New Zealand with plans to stay. Eligibility also depends on the income you and your partner earn. For a breakdown of the income requirements, visit this page.

8. The Accommodation Supplement

The Accommodation Supplement is a weekly payment that helps with the cost of rent, board, or owning a home. It is designed to help low-income households supplement the costs of their living situation.

The amount you receive from the Accommodation Supplement depends on factors such as your income, assets, accommodation costs, family circumstances, and where you live. This payment is not taxed. You can use the 'Check what you might get' tool to estimate how much you could receive.

To receive this supplement your total assets cannot exceed:

Singles: $8,100

Couples: $16,020

Eligibility: You may be eligible for the Accommodation Supplement if you're 16 or older, have ongoing accommodation costs, and are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident who normally lives in New Zealand with plans to stay. You must also not be paying rent for a public housing property provided by Kāinga Ora or approved community housing providers. Eligibility depends on your income, assets, and those of your partner.

9. Assistance with housing and paying rent

If you are struggling in general to find or afford stable housing, you may qualify for low-cost housing or assistance with accommodation costs. There are a variety of avenues that may be able to help you. Find the help that’s right for you here.

This can include help with paying rent and housing costs, rates, repairs and maintenance, applying for low-cost housing and public housing for over Kiwis over 65.

Eligibility: The eligibility for these services varies, but visiting this government website to see if you qualify is a great place to start.

10. Temporary Additional Support grant

Temporary Additional Support is a weekly payment that helps cover essential living expenses. It can cover ongoing, regular expenses necessary for you and your family’s daily needs, such as accommodation costs (rent, board, or home ownership), child support, employment-related costs (e.g., transport, childcare), essential household items (e.g., bed, fridge, washing machine), and health or disability costs (e.g., prescription fees, vehicle repayments). If you’re unsure whether a cost qualifies, it’s best to ask for help.

How much you can get: The amount you receive depends on your situation, and the payment can be provided for up to 13 weeks. This payment is not taxed.

Eligibility: You may be eligible for Temporary Additional Support if you're over 16, a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and normally live in New Zealand with plans to stay. You must have essential costs you can't afford and not be already receiving Special Benefit. Eligibility also depends on your income, assets, efforts to reduce costs or increase income, and the types of essential costs you're paying for.

11. Get free help from a financial mentor with Money Talks

If you are feeling the pinch of cost of living and want to start with talking through your options, the Money Talks helpline can set you up with a free financial mentor. They have various options available for free help, through text, phone, email or live chat request.

A financial mentor is someone who helps you manage your money and improve your financial wellbeing. Unlike financial advisors who charge for investment advice, financial mentors offer free services and have expertise in budgeting and life experience. They assess your income, identify savings opportunities, and can connect you with free services like food banks or government agencies. Mentors also advocate for you, negotiating payment plans with service providers and lenders to help you manage your finances better.

If this sounds like it could be a helpful free service, start here.

12. The Carer Support subsidy: caring for an ageing family member or partner?

The Carer Support subsidy is designed to give full-time carers a break by covering some of the costs associated with finding someone to help care for the person they look after. This subsidy reimburses expenses for care and support services, allowing the carer time for themselves. Once assessed, you’ll be allocated a certain number of days of Carer Support. It’s available for those caring for older people, or individuals with long-term chronic health conditions, mental health, or addiction issues, and is funded by Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand.

Find out if you qualify to receive Carer Support here.

You might also like:

• 6 reasons to become a raver about KiwiSaver
• 6 surprising benefits of New Zealand Superannuation
• Willfully avoiding retirement planning? You’re not alone  

Feature image: iStock/luciegerma

^{Citro has taken care to check the information contained in this article but cannot guarantee its accuracy. Readers should check any eligibility criteria or figures mentioned in this article directly with the source. This article reflects the views and experience of the author and not necessarily the views of Citro. It contains general information only and is not intended to influence readers’ decisions about any financial products or investments. Readers’ personal circumstances have not been taken into account and they should always seek their own professional financial and taxation advice that takes into account their personal circumstances before making any financial decisions.}