SHOCKING!!!! The 20-somethings receiving NZ Super
There are about 3000 people across New Zealand receiving NZ Super who are not yet 65 - and three of them are not even 30.
Before 2020, it was possible for someone receiving NZ Super to add a non-qualifying partner.
This gives each person a payment of $787.58 a fortnight.
The option was removed in 2020 but people who were already receiving the payment were allowed to remain on it.
Three are aged 25 to 29, six 30 to 34, nine 35 to 39 and 27 aged 40 to 44.
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The number is rounded to the nearest three.
The bulk of the 3003 non-qualifying partners aged under 65 are between between 60 and 64.
In 2019, there were 13,231 non-qualifying partners receiving the payment.
A Cabinet paper at the time of the change noted that the payment was income tested but there were no work obligations for either partner.
It said the change was made as part of a shift towards assessing the pension on an individual basis.
"Partners who are unable to access the NQP provision will continue to have access to the main benefit system - eg Jobseeker Support, Support Supported Living Payment, or Emergency Benefit."
But economist Shamubeel Eaqub said people who were in that position were worse off.
"Unemployment payments are a lot less than super payments."
Infometrics chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan agreed there was potential inequity between someone who had qualified for the higher payment because of their older partner, and someone who had not.
A person on JobSeeker Support at half the couple rate would get $307.42 before tax each week, compared to $476.47 for the NZ Super recipient.
Any additional income earned by the couple would reduce the JobSeeker entitlement but not the NZ Super payment.
Kiernan said about 2.5 percent of people aged 60 to 64 were on JobSeeker Support. That was a total of about 7800 people in August, compared to 8139 for 55 to 59-year-olds.
At the time of the change, the Retirement Policy Research Centre said there could be problems for couples if someone who was under 65 had to stop work to care for an older partner but could no longer access the same support.
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Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.
We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?
Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.
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53.1% Yes
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46.9% No
Aucklanders, we want to know: How are you feeling about the current property market?
New Zealand homeowners are now more likely to sell at a loss than at any time since 2013, and if you’re in Auckland or Wellington, the odds are even higher.
But there is a silver lining: buyers are still in a strong position when it comes to negotiating prices.
So we’re curious…
How are you feeling about the current property market?
If you’re keen to dive into the details, Deborah Morris breaks down all the latest insights.
‘Tis the season to not get scammed ...
As Christmas gift shopping moves increasingly online, scammers are ramping up their activity across the country.
Dunedin’s Investigation Support Unit is seeing more and more people fall victim to scams and other fraudulent activity, particularly on Facebook Marketplace.
There are a few ways to avoid the scams and keep yourself safe doing online trades this holiday season, says Southern District Service Delivery Manager Senior Sergeant Dalton.
🔒 “A good first step when looking to purchase something on Marketplace is to check when the seller’s Facebook profile was created. If it’s very recent, there is a higher risk that they have just created this account for a one-off fake item.”
🔒 Another important step is to make sure the seller’s profile name and bank account name match up. “We’re seeing a lot of scammers claiming their bank account name is different because it belongs to their partner or family member - that’s a huge red flag."
🔒 “When you’re selling, never trust a screenshot anyone sends you showing that payment has been made. Check your own bank account to make sure a payment has gone through."
🔒 “Quite frankly, it’s best for all parties to agree to pay, or be paid, for items in cash and in-person. Ideally in a public place with CCTV coverage."
🔒 "If you’re buying a car, check Carjam.co.nz to see if it’s stolen or if there’s money owed on it.”
A reminder: Suspicious activity can be reported on 105
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