# PF143: For the 2026 New Zealand general election: What are the parties' current positions on NZ Super, retirement income and aged care? Collected 19 October 2026 [NZ Election 2026 · Edition 4 study](https://nzbrands.ai/research/nz-election-2026/editions/4) ## ChatGPT Answer ID: e7b46387-c765-49dd-b810-eb0773ed2a38 # New Zealand 2026 election: NZ Super, retirement income and aged care Position as at 18 October 2026 · New Zealand-wide · General election: 7 November 2026 The main dividing lines between parties are whether New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super) should remain available from age 65, how much people should be required to save privately for retirement, and how aged care should be funded and delivered. The current proposals differ substantially: National and ACT want to increase the NZ Super eligibility age, while Labour and New Zealand First oppose raising it. National, New Zealand First and Opportunity also support more compulsory retirement saving, although their proposed contribution systems differ. [Where the parties stand on New Zealand Super](https://www.localmatters.co.nz/general_elections_2026/where-the-parties-stand-on-new-zealand-super/)[Retirement Policy: Where NZ Parties Stand in 2026](https://whichparty.nz/topics/retirement)[Winston Peters - “Seniors Sole Defender”](https://www.nzfirst.nz/winston_peters_seniors_sole_defender) ## 1. NZ Super: who wants to change the eligibility age? The current eligibility age is 65. These are the main parties' published positions. | Party | Position on NZ Super | | --- | --- | | National | Retain universal NZ Super, but gradually raise eligibility from 65 to 67, beginning in 2044. | | Labour | Keep eligibility at 65 and oppose means-testing NZ Super. | | ACT | Raise eligibility to 67 over an eight-year transition, with an exemption pathway for people who have spent at least 20 years in physically demanding work. Existing recipients would retain their entitlement. | | New Zealand First | Oppose raising the age to 67 and oppose means-testing. Separately, it proposes restricting eligibility to New Zealand citizens from 2029. | | Green Party | Focus on adequate incomes and dignity for older people. Its wider social-policy approach differs from the age-raising proposals; check the detailed manifesto for the applicable retirement settings. | | Te Pāti Māori | Has emphasised earlier access to NZ Super for Māori, rather than simply adopting a higher retirement age. | | The Opportunities Party (TOP) | Proposes reforming retirement saving through a compulsory KiwiSaver model; its full retirement-income settings should be checked alongside its savings proposal. | Sources: [Where the parties stand on New Zealand Super](https://www.localmatters.co.nz/general_elections_2026/where-the-parties-stand-on-new-zealand-super/)[Pacific workers could be hardest hit as NZ parties debate raising the superannuation age](https://pmn.co.nz/read/political/pacific-workers-could-be-hardest-hit-as-superannuation-age-rise-debated)[Winston Peters - “Seniors Sole Defender”](https://www.nzfirst.nz/winston_peters_seniors_sole_defender)[NZFirst Campaign Announcement: NZ Super for Citizens Only](https://www.nzfirst.nz/nzfirst_campaign_announcement_nz_super_for_citizens_only)[Manifesto 2026](https://www.greens.org.nz/manifesto_2026)[Retirement Policy: Where NZ Parties Stand in 2026](https://whichparty.nz/topics/retirement) Important distinction: National's proposed increase would not start until 2044, whereas ACT proposes a faster transition. New Zealand First's citizenship proposal is a separate issue from the age of eligibility: it could affect some residents who otherwise qualify under current rules. [Where the parties stand on New Zealand Super](https://www.localmatters.co.nz/general_elections_2026/where-the-parties-stand-on-new-zealand-super/)[NZFirst Campaign Announcement: NZ Super for Citizens Only](https://www.nzfirst.nz/nzfirst_campaign_announcement_nz_super_for_citizens_only) ## 2. Retirement income and KiwiSaver The parties differ on whether retirement income should rely primarily on universal state pension payments, individual savings, or a combination of both. ![Will National Party Finish 2nd in New Zealand's 2026 Election?](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/LCDs4P76HEgfCayafHeSga8GCw12Vxs2fPc3toeyLUZ-wmb6UiGRZY6bhdT1xRejtICfUd6GX2BWmI76EkpoWuffTU4g32bP_qUJp29rsfn5_Zvj5THHSYTLHSoo_5_YQyZ3zKE1WIpB4bu7raRltFl5TZFCgCcE0quf_GohkFI?purpose=inline) National — compulsory KiwiSaver - Make KiwiSaver, or an equivalent scheme, compulsory for workers from 1 July 2028. - Increase employee and employer default contribution rates progressively to 6% each by 2032. - Automatically enrol newborns and provide a $1,500 starting contribution. - Require employers to contribute for participating KiwiSaver members over 65 from July 2027. Source: National's published KiwiSaver policy. [Enhancing KiwiSaver for Everyone](https://www.national.org.nz/policies/kiwisaver)[National to further boost Kiwis’ financial security](https://www.national.org.nz/news/260621-national-to-further-boost-kiwis-financia) ![South Island Election Conference 2026](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/_spFKDBqOMVPoo8r35YLoGFwljs_-WWe4ur9fdZCfekzAxaUPGA75u8rI9uxOUTssI2hUZN1r4Zu1AeDrcNaxz3uHoFIyWjDpanT5s-KJ87QzxSu1uNjNL4MOHSuazRZuTy_TzC6aN4wxHHoyU_DhzMFuMCMjNBTtg2xRxOZL6c?purpose=inline) Labour — protect NZ Super and build savings Labour opposes increasing the NZ Super age and means-testing it. On private savings, it supports compulsory employer contributions rising to 6% by 2032, including when workers pause their own contributions, rather than making employee contributions compulsory in the same way as National's plan. Source: party positions and 2026 retirement-policy comparison. [Where the parties stand on New Zealand Super](https://www.localmatters.co.nz/general_elections_2026/where-the-parties-stand-on-new-zealand-super/)[Retirement Policy: Where NZ Parties Stand in 2026](https://whichparty.nz/topics/retirement) ![New Zealand Legislative Election Winner 2026 Odds | Polymarket](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/jofoEEdOXv6HOQzupGnQLgXlZKKPYTzvN6g4IUMlN6xdqX4l_qH5-Y0A3to5ytO5w95eGsg-WLInlnku5FmW0VEyKqhTiAqcZSbr_Z1e_uNyqacdq4zniDKhRNRugVUCsz1-CYpZeG4nO7sLuQKEQlQMBgJCAoyH3nC76yYHd6E?purpose=inline) ACT — later NZ Super, more individual choice ACT proposes lifting the eligibility age to 67 while allowing access to KiwiSaver at 65. It opposes making KiwiSaver compulsory in National's proposed form, arguing people should retain more choice over whether to save or use their money for other priorities. Its October fiscal plan also proposes pausing contributions to the NZ Super Fund. Sources: [ACT sets out plan to raise retirement age, cut debt and spending](https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/10/11/act-sets-out-plan-to-raise-retirement-age-cut-debt-and-spending/)[Retirement Policy: Where NZ Parties Stand in 2026](https://whichparty.nz/topics/retirement) ![New Zealand legislative election winner? Predictions & Od... 2026 | Polymarket](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/UmXClDd76aKEk_XyXfEEacFBHXO18HFMG1Im-weRm7tb64uGzBsRK3vWPXuiFN2zaWaNznb7eSDIJucKOhlXtwb6Lq-BYR6oxisKzHsWTxF5AsiLmtcNGDNtwCsXzgIuSp2vW4pa6pAda-tTriG23zKX1ZuknQ81HGh411pqRkM?purpose=inline) New Zealand First — protect NZ Super, strengthen savings NZ First opposes raising the pension age and means-testing. It proposes compulsory KiwiSaver, automatic enrolment at birth and a $1,000 Crown contribution for each newborn. It has also announced the citizenship restriction on NZ Super noted above. Sources: [Winston Peters - “Seniors Sole Defender”](https://www.nzfirst.nz/winston_peters_seniors_sole_defender)[NZFirst Campaign Announcement: NZ Super for Citizens Only](https://www.nzfirst.nz/nzfirst_campaign_announcement_nz_super_for_citizens_only)[Retirement Policy: Where NZ Parties Stand in 2026](https://whichparty.nz/topics/retirement) ![Green Party NZ (@NZGreens) on X](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/xwoeA3rTn5Pu0UL1uRc6X_g8ADsfUTe55rxQEjXC_rnFR_6TPTr_9eG0LsowNOdFRtax24qB8h-LRfUtZEf42T0CC5OclOZ5katbFJAYxs0cZRyqDBlGNgF_8AV_5WTCbYonGIqLGuK095lLGrkBVw3L8vdsA06tLHVNuCJquuc?purpose=inline) Greens — adequate income and dignity The Greens emphasise decent incomes, equitable access to health services and support for seniors to live with dignity. Their 2026 manifesto sets out a broader social-support approach. A specific compulsory KiwiSaver contribution schedule was not identified in the retirement-policy comparison. Sources: [Manifesto 2026](https://www.greens.org.nz/manifesto_2026)[Retirement Policy: Where NZ Parties Stand in 2026](https://whichparty.nz/topics/retirement) ![](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/KZ1zP60v_ZeHHj3ij4DA2sVh6oX86DHN4x_RGhm63IEKbj8P_3phlgxON0_dzBqruxZt_piBvLSwWYOzxGtRjeiBIDJnBczyBauAihY7VhbFruy9Xq4tPeGbXtvfFHap7T9ZV_eOqtHyttigv_yv7jT6ibug6IoPJMJnJ8SLOeE?purpose=inline) TOP — compulsory retirement saving TOP's proposed KiwiSaver 2.0 would be compulsory and universal, with employers and employees contributing a combined 12% of gross earnings. Its proposal restricts withdrawals for hardship or first-home purchases, making it a different savings model from the current KiwiSaver system. Source: 2026 retirement-policy comparison. [Retirement Policy: Where NZ Parties Stand in 2026](https://whichparty.nz/topics/retirement) The practical distinction is that NZ Super and KiwiSaver are separate. A party can support universal NZ Super while also requiring people to build up private savings. Compulsory contributions can increase retirement assets over time, but they also reduce the amount of take-home pay available during working life. ## 3. Aged care, home support and retirement villages Aged care is a separate policy question from NZ Super. It covers funding for residential care, support for people who want to remain in their own homes, the pay and availability of care workers, and protection for people entering retirement villages. Here are the clearest documented positions I found. ![Parliamentary parties - New Zealand Parliament](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/P3l_MCTDhEFmMqOVSQ4NJMBzd_eFKC3vYSx5TGEUXkrZ2gU70maJSvqrXUUckQAd_f25efeHyHHTHD55AZok6TIfF6eF4RWEuIKLGwVHTyW4RZkdiipUoYMC0wWfQlC1-SCKynvOTlqJ8q2Id8eu6IeWa-qLuX98pLkzKqXS-Bo?purpose=inline) National - Has announced a government action plan recognising unpaid and family carers, covering health and wellbeing, financial security, and recognition. - Has proposed stronger retirement-village protections, including a maximum nine-month repayment period for outgoing residents and an initial payment of 10% of net termination proceeds within four weeks, subject to specified exemptions. - Its stated approach combines support for older people with financial sustainability and the continued role of retirement villages. Sources: [New roadmap for supporting unpaid carers](https://www.national.org.nz/news/260902-pennysimmonds)[Faster and fairer retirement village repayments](https://www.national.org.nz/news/260918-tamapotaka) ![Oz Kiwi - Key must now work to restore reciprocal rights](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/RslO9gYrJT5mpe81YDamPJb0QfZL5MaxmRxs1s_f1jgoyhIB0d6M4PMPMpzbaCXv7NnrKKwa3DtqoyubcHzHDz-eRJz5aBTMym29FctWbXLH947DOF_2LsrxBCqKa56UyuOGRUoXBiaavoahyXEeSMYyUUn1pBqv2_jiggdZ4Wc?purpose=inline) Labour Labour's published 2026 election programme includes wider healthcare commitments, such as three free GP visits annually and removing prescription charges from July 2027. These could matter to older people, but they are not the same as a dedicated aged-care funding plan. I could not verify a comprehensive, newly announced 2026 programme covering rest-home funding, home-care hours and aged-care workforce pay. Source: [Labour's 2026 Election Policies](https://www.labour.org.nz/policy/)[Labour's Cost of Living Plan](https://www.labour.org.nz/election-policy-pages/2026-election-policy-summary-pages/cost-of-living-plan/) ![New Zealand Legislative Election Winner? Winner Odds | Lines.com](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/swOpseI6JeOne3TLmsB2rSSFZkfqWuRzDkOdOuvT8jcsKlshTfgJCcrkPjPm9itoiDVRSAyxbIkvlC-FXS5FSe49Bo3CnDrYufGN9SwS5AoQLlmVszhKX6p1orBeTbQ4Zl4tgs9jF_B0ikpwMbl4J5awpbam9UyN9Rbb3MLRdKM?purpose=inline) Green Party - Has committed to restoring pay-equity law to its pre-2025 position and funding a settlement for approximately 65,000 care and support workers. - The party has identified around $1.1 billion a year for the settlement, with the final amount to be agreed through bargaining with workers and unions. - It has also called for long-term investment in aged care, including better in-home support and a system that delivers appropriate care in the right place. Sources: [Greens commit to pay equity for care workers](https://www.greens.org.nz/greens_commit_to_pay_equity_for_care_workers)[News - Seniors](https://www.greens.org.nz/news_seniors) ![File:Logo New Zealand First.svg - Wikimedia Commons](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/DBtzngiVJWLZORI-MonJJUv8-0ZNbUjaf0Ve8PsI9B94UexGotmeXky7ZH3kKTzXi_Fdv7n0G-Kwabc1DsD1URxTX4Vw9tUOvHF2vo19TIQXGec4iKd1Z9ZxL3MtqdgoAevMJsvBBcf-kzK5ymdSbtD4_SAR_IlS1NOYE2fN6lM?purpose=inline) New Zealand First - Supports reform of retirement-village rules to protect residents while preserving the sector's ability to provide housing and care. - Has committed to progressing a Retirement Villages Amendment Bill in the next parliamentary term. - Opposes a blanket three-month repayment deadline, arguing that it could raise costs for future residents and put pressure on village operators. Sources: [Common sense must prevail for retirement village reform](https://www.nzfirst.nz/common_sense_must_prevail_for_retirement_village_reform)[Common sense must prevail for retirement village reform](https://www.nzfirst.nz/common_sense_must_prevail_for_retirement_village_reform) ![POLICY TRACKER: TOP wants to fund cheaper doctor visits with junk-food tax | New Zealand Doctor](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/K1DpIS-dF4mtKrl0KIyfSnF_8RO2gnoDtATKXcH-ytfTo6cgmA_wwVhD8J5hW6OuytxDrAergQSGimCSsVKfunUK61RDtNU5GxwiaPB_cRB685VjK9FjkZErmrrvx_4zTP2h6GpckCQVzANm4LVdUE3kTNzzpmgwLxBt7L_7t70?purpose=inline) ACT ACT's published fiscal plan emphasises reducing government spending and debt. Its retirement-age policy includes an exemption pathway for people with long careers in physically demanding jobs. I could not verify a comparably detailed, standalone 2026 aged-care policy covering residential-care subsidies, home support and workforce pay. Source: [ACT sets out plan to raise retirement age, cut debt and spending](https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/10/11/act-sets-out-plan-to-raise-retirement-age-cut-debt-and-spending/) ![Te Pāti Māori (@Maori_Party) on X](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/C5Ox0A8wvQUsFP-VtrWHKeP6-Ic8fMiqzR6fwTgVCI89BKZ4qO15KWhfgO_hkPhb4uzHIlIf-m8iVIOtE_n3dpm6XeT-XUHl8WsSwbHDpd9cuMseVa0f8XdYoGqbDr3pWVTJaDg048Pdof6_HhRKAR523Vju5XF4tug9-I_6qlg?purpose=inline) Te Pāti Māori The party has previously advocated for Māori to receive NZ Super seven to ten years earlier than other New Zealanders, citing differences in life expectancy and health outcomes. I could not verify a formal 2026 aged-care package with detailed funding commitments, so the earlier-retirement proposal should not be mistaken for a complete aged-care policy. Source: [Where the parties stand on New Zealand Super](https://www.localmatters.co.nz/general_elections_2026/where-the-parties-stand-on-new-zealand-super/) ![The Opportunities Party (TOP) - Party for Party vote - NZ Election 2023 - Policy.nz](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/rHip9xtOmHJ7p3pzbS8Xn4H7JdOheX0sWMyGEQBbQDV2VhB80GeQcwZjHHKxPFpQtkwLMnjVabtdIRxHl1wzh0MfUO0vptw7POdPGke-ZMLrc0H3A9RR4RWjnHfTiwniJBrR1GAdzHOc_HXEvwlJuKh5h28zylpsy6OmIpOF1Ww?purpose=inline) The Opportunities Party (TOP) TOP's most clearly documented retirement proposal is its alternative retirement-income system, combining a Citizen's Income with a top-up intended to bring payments into line with current NZ Super rates. The top-up could reduce as KiwiSaver balances grow, with wealthier retirees expected to fund more of their own retirement. I could not verify a comparably detailed aged-care package. Source: [Where the parties stand on New Zealand Super](https://www.localmatters.co.nz/general_elections_2026/where-the-parties-stand-on-new-zealand-super/)[Retirement Policy: Where NZ Parties Stand in 2026](https://whichparty.nz/topics/retirement) ## 4. What matters most when comparing the policies? These are useful questions to ask of each party's proposals, particularly if the policies affect you or a family member. | Issue | What to look for | | --- | --- | | Retirement age | Will NZ Super still be available at 65, and when would any increase take effect? | | Eligibility | Would residency, citizenship or other qualifying rules change? | | Income in retirement | Would the policy change NZ Super, require higher KiwiSaver contributions, or both? | | Home-based care | Are there commitments on the availability, cost and hours of home support? | | Rest homes and residential care | Are there specific funding commitments for care facilities, staffing and access to places? | | Care workers | Are wages, pay equity, recruitment and retention addressed? | | Retirement villages | How quickly would residents receive their money when leaving, and what protections would they have? | One important limitation: a party's failure to announce a specific policy is not proof that it opposes that policy. In particular, the publicly documented commitments on retirement-village reform and care-worker pay are more specific than the available election commitments on residential aged-care funding. ## Sources to follow before election day - [Policy.nz — 2026 election party policies](https://policy.nz/2026/elections?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - [National — KiwiSaver policy](https://www.national.org.nz/policies/kiwisaver?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - [Green Party — 2026 manifesto](https://www.greens.org.nz/manifesto_2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - [New Zealand First — NZ Super eligibility proposal](https://www.nzfirst.nz/nzfirst_campaign_announcement_nz_super_for_citizens_only?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - [Local Matters — comparison of parties' NZ Super positions](https://www.localmatters.co.nz/general_elections_2026/where-the-parties-stand-on-new-zealand-super/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) In summary: the clearest divide on retirement is between parties that want to retain access to NZ Super at 65 and those proposing a higher eligibility age. The savings debate concerns how much responsibility should fall on individuals and employers through KiwiSaver. For aged care, compare specific commitments on home support, residential-care funding and care-worker pay rather than assuming that a party's position on NZ Super tells you its entire approach to older people's wellbeing. ## Gemini Answer ID: bd892e9a-7e62-458e-b952-bcb0ff7e2fa1 For the **2026 New Zealand general election**, the positions of the major political parties regarding **New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super)**, retirement income, and aged care reflect a mix of long-standing principles and competing fiscal strategies. With an ageing population, these issues have been central to discussions involving advocacy groups like Grey Power and Age Concern. --- ### 1. NZ Superannuation Eligibility (Age and Settings) The key point of division among the parties is whether to lift the age of eligibility to ease long-term fiscal pressures: * **New Zealand First:** Strongly committed to maintaining the NZ Super age at **65** and protecting NZ Super at 66% of the net average wage. * **Labour Party:** Maintains the age of eligibility at **65**. * **National Party:** Supports lifting the NZ Super age from 65 to **67 starting in 2044**, subject to seeking cross-party consensus. * **ACT Party:** Advocates a faster timeline to raise the retirement age to **67 by 2035**, proposing exemptions for workers in physically demanding or strenuous occupations. * **Te Pāti Māori:** Opposes raising the age and has focused on equity, advocating for earlier NZ Super access for Māori to account for lower life expectancy gaps. --- ### 2. Retirement Income and KiwiSaver Reforms To supplement state-provided superannuation, parties have different models for savings and KiwiSaver adjustments: * **National & Labour (Alternative KiwiSaver Proposals):** * *National* has proposed making KiwiSaver compulsory for workers from July 2028, with employee and employer contributions incrementally rising to 6% each by 2032, alongside a $1,500 kickstart payment for newborns. * *Labour* also proposes compulsory employer contributions starting July 2028 rising to 6% by 2032, but deliberately stops short of mandating employee contributions to avoid adding pressure during cost-of-living strains. * **New Zealand First:** Proposes making KiwiSaver compulsory with a $1,000 Crown contribution for newborns, aiming for higher eventual employee and employer rates (scaling up toward 8% to 10%). * **ACT:** Generally critical of compulsory schemes or mandates that burden workers or interfere with mortgage-paying flexibility, pushing instead for exemptions in any structural changes. * **The Opportunities Party (TOP):** Promotes a comprehensive restructuring ("KiwiSaver 2.0" / Citizen's Income framework), proposing a universal 12% combined compulsory employer/employee contribution model where funds are locked without hardship or first-home withdrawals. --- ### 3. Aged Care, Health, and Housing Support Healthcare access, aged-care reform, and cost-of-living pressures are top priorities for older voters in 2026: * **Aged-Care Reform:** New Zealand First has placed specialized aged-care reform and better coordination between primary, community, and aged-care providers as a core priority. * **Health and GP Access:** Parties are offering varying solutions to healthcare strains affecting seniors (who heavily prioritize health services): * *Labour* is campaigning on introducing a "Medicard" providing three free GP visits annually and expanding community pharmacy services. * *National* focuses on boosting Pharmac's medicines budget and expanding cancer screening. * *ACT* targets specialized national cancer care centres and bridging medicine funding gaps. * **Housing & Ageing in Place:** Several parties have addressed the viability of "ageing in place," supporting improved options for senior housing, alongside growing calls from advocates for stricter regulatory frameworks and reforms around retirement villages. --- *Would you like to explore the specific policy details of a particular party or focus on another aspect of the 2026 election?* ## Google AI Mode Answer ID: fa1ebcf0-a7b7-460c-a77b-b3ba4cc2349c For the _2026 New Zealand general election_ (scheduled for 7 November 2026), the positions of the major and minor political parties on New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super), retirement income, and aged care reflect broader debates about fiscal sustainability, cost-of-living pressures for older Kiwis, and structural settings for KiwiSaver. **The National Party** * * **NZ Superannuation & Eligibility Age:** National has previously expressed support for raising the age of entitlement for NZ Super to 67, though suggesting it would begin further out (such as from 2044). Party leadership (including finance spokesperson Nicola Willis) has also expressed openness to a cross-party retirement accord to establish long-term certainty. * **KiwiSaver & Retirement Income:** National supports moving KiwiSaver toward compulsory status for workers, including automatic enrolment at birth paired with a $1,500 "baby boost" government contribution. They also support allowing employer KiwiSaver contributions to continue past the age of 65. [Lifetime Retirement Income] * **The Labour Party** * * **NZ Superannuation & Eligibility Age:** According to documented party platforms, Labour opposes raising the age of eligibility, keeping it at 65. However, they have shown openness to engaging in cross-party talks or exploring discussions regarding targeting or future settings, while noting concerns around the fiscal sustainability pressures highlighted by Treasury. * **KiwiSaver & Retirement Income:** Labour emphasizes strengthening retirement savings through adjustments like raising employer contributions incrementally (e.g., to 6% by 2032) while offering flexibility for workers to pause or reduce their own employee contributions during financial strain without losing the employer matching portion. They do not support making KiwiSaver fully mandatory due to cost-of-living burdens on low-income earners and small businesses. * **New Zealand First** * * **NZ Superannuation & Eligibility Age:** NZ First strongly opposes raising the age of entitlement for NZ Super and advocates for maintaining a universal pension without means-testing. However, they propose restricting eligibility for NZ Super to New Zealand citizens starting from 2029. * **KiwiSaver & Retirement Income:** NZ First campaigns on making KiwiSaver compulsory across the workforce, coupled with automatically enrolling newborns (citizens) with a $1,000 kickstart contribution. They propose scaling up combined employee and employer contribution rates to 8% initially and eventually to 10%. * **The ACT Party** * * **NZ Superannuation & Eligibility Age:** ACT advocates for gradually lifting the retirement eligibility age to 67 over the coming decade, while keeping access to accumulated KiwiSaver funds available at age 65. * **KiwiSaver & Retirement Income:** ACT prefers keeping KiwiSaver voluntary rather than compulsory, but proposes removing the tax on KiwiSaver investment earnings to incentivize personal savings growth. [RNZ] * **The Green Party & Te Pāti Māori** * * **Retirement Income Focus:** Neither party centers major structural changes to KiwiSaver or immediate increases to the superannuation age in their core campaign manifestos. Their broader policy frameworks generally emphasize strengthening public healthcare, addressing income inequality, and boosting wider welfare and housing supports that disproportionately affect fixed-income seniors facing high inflation. * * * * _For more details as the campaign progresses, you can review live updates and candidate information directly on the[Vote NZ](https://vote.nz/2026-general-election/about/overview/key-dates) portal or monitor analytical coverage via RNZ._