# Question 143: For the 2026 New Zealand general election: What are the parties' current positions on NZ Super, retirement income and aged care?

Collected 23 October 2026

[NZ Election 2026 · Edition 5 study](https://nzbrands.ai/research/nz-election-2026/editions/5)

## ChatGPT

Answer ID: 9253ff17-84c0-4307-8039-0195deddceaa

# New Zealand 2026 election: NZ Super, retirement income and aged care

Policy snapshot: 23 October 2026 · New Zealand general election: 7 November 2026

The main dividing lines between the parties are whether NZ Super should remain available from age 65, how much people should be expected to save privately for retirement, and how aged care should be funded and delivered.

There is broad support for retaining a universal pension, but significant differences over the qualifying age, KiwiSaver and the rules for retirement villages. The detail of aged-care funding and access to residential care is a separate issue from NZ Super, and not every party has published a comprehensive plan covering both. [Where the parties stand on New Zealand Super](https://www.localmatters.co.nz/general_elections_2026/where-the-parties-stand-on-new-zealand-super/)[How parties stand on issues affecting older New Zealanders](https://greypowermag.co.nz/politics/how-parties-stand-on-issues-affecting-older-new-zealanders/)[Election 2026: What’s in it for seniors so far?](https://www.lifetimeincome.co.nz/resources/retirement-news/2026/october/election-2026-what-s-in-it-for-seniors-so-far)

## 1. NZ Super: when can you receive it, and who qualifies?

Here is the current comparison of the seven main parties.

| Party | Position on NZ Super |
| --- | --- |
| National | Supports universal, non-means-tested Super, but proposes gradually raising the eligibility age from 65 to 67 starting in 2044. It has sought cross-party discussion. [Where the parties stand on New Zealand Super](https://www.localmatters.co.nz/general_elections_2026/where-the-parties-stand-on-new-zealand-super/)[Election 2026: What’s in it for seniors so far?](https://www.lifetimeincome.co.nz/resources/retirement-news/2026/october/election-2026-what-s-in-it-for-seniors-so-far) |
| Labour | Keep the eligibility age at 65 and do not introduce means testing. [How parties stand on issues affecting older New Zealanders](https://greypowermag.co.nz/politics/how-parties-stand-on-issues-affecting-older-new-zealanders/)[Where the parties stand on New Zealand Super](https://www.localmatters.co.nz/general_elections_2026/where-the-parties-stand-on-new-zealand-super/) |
| Green Party | Keep universal Super at 65, focus on whether it adequately covers living costs, and restore a 10-year residence requirement. [How parties stand on issues affecting older New Zealanders](https://greypowermag.co.nz/politics/how-parties-stand-on-issues-affecting-older-new-zealanders/)[Election 2026: What’s in it for seniors so far?](https://www.lifetimeincome.co.nz/resources/retirement-news/2026/october/election-2026-what-s-in-it-for-seniors-so-far) |
| New Zealand First | Keep the age at 65, oppose means testing, and maintain the pension at 66% of the net average wage. Proposes restricting eligibility to New Zealand citizens from 2029. [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) |
| ACT | Raise the age to 67 over eight years, with an exemption route for people who have spent at least 20 years in physically demanding work. [Where the parties stand on New Zealand Super](https://www.localmatters.co.nz/general_elections_2026/where-the-parties-stand-on-new-zealand-super/)[Election 2026: What’s in it for seniors so far?](https://www.lifetimeincome.co.nz/resources/retirement-news/2026/october/election-2026-what-s-in-it-for-seniors-so-far) |
| The Opportunities Party (TOP) | Replace NZ Super with a broader Citizen’s Income system, initially topped up to current Super levels. Future top-ups could be reduced in line with income as private savings grow. [Where the parties stand on New Zealand Super](https://www.localmatters.co.nz/general_elections_2026/where-the-parties-stand-on-new-zealand-super/)[Election 2026: What’s in it for seniors so far?](https://www.lifetimeincome.co.nz/resources/retirement-news/2026/october/election-2026-what-s-in-it-for-seniors-so-far) |
| Te Pāti Māori | Has previously advocated for Māori to qualify 7–10 years earlier, citing life-expectancy differences. Its full 2026 NZ Super policy was not available in the cited party 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/)[Election Survey 2026 - National Council of Women of New Zealand](https://www.ncwnz.org.nz/election_survey_2026) |

An important distinction: National and ACT both support lifting the qualifying age, but on different timetables. National's proposed change starts in 2044, while ACT proposes completing its transition by 2035. Labour, the Greens and NZ First explicitly support keeping the age at 65. TOP proposes a different retirement-income structure altogether. [Where the parties stand on New Zealand Super](https://www.localmatters.co.nz/general_elections_2026/where-the-parties-stand-on-new-zealand-super/)[Election 2026: What’s in it for seniors so far?](https://www.lifetimeincome.co.nz/resources/retirement-news/2026/october/election-2026-what-s-in-it-for-seniors-so-far)

## 2. Retirement income and KiwiSaver

NZ Super is only one part of retirement income. The parties also differ on compulsory saving, government contributions and how much people should fund through KiwiSaver.

![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

Proposes compulsory KiwiSaver enrolment for workers from July 2028, increasing employer and employee contribution rates progressively to 6% each by 2032, and a $1,500 government contribution for babies born in New Zealand. Employer contributions would continue for workers aged over 65. [Election 2026: What’s in it for seniors so far?](https://www.lifetimeincome.co.nz/resources/retirement-news/2026/october/election-2026-what-s-in-it-for-seniors-so-far)[2026 Election Policy Summaries](https://apex.org.nz/resources/2026-election-policy-summaries/)

![South Island Election Conference 2026](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/_spFKDBqOMVPoo8r35YLoGFwljs_-WWe4ur9fdZCfekzAxaUPGA75u8rI9uxOUTssI2hUZN1r4Zu1AeDrcNaxz3uHoFIyWjDpanT5s-KJ87QzxSu1uNjNL4MOHSuazRZuTy_TzC6aN4wxHHoyU_DhzMFuMCMjNBTtg2xRxOZL6c?purpose=inline)

### Labour

Proposes lifting the default employee KiwiSaver contribution rate to 4%, increasing compulsory employer contributions to 6% by 2032, and continuing employer contributions for workers aged 65 and over. It also proposes preventing new total-remuneration contracts from absorbing employer contributions into salaries. [Election 2026: What’s in it for seniors so far?](https://www.lifetimeincome.co.nz/resources/retirement-news/2026/october/election-2026-what-s-in-it-for-seniors-so-far)[2026 Election Policy Summaries](https://apex.org.nz/resources/2026-election-policy-summaries/)

![Green Party NZ (@NZGreens) on X](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/xwoeA3rTn5Pu0UL1uRc6X_g8ADsfUTe55rxQEjXC_rnFR_6TPTr_9eG0LsowNOdFRtax24qB8h-LRfUtZEf42T0CC5OclOZ5katbFJAYxs0cZRyqDBlGNgF_8AV_5WTCbYonGIqLGuK095lLGrkBVw3L8vdsA06tLHVNuCJquuc?purpose=inline)

### Green Party

Supports keeping universal NZ Super at 65 and ensuring older people can meet everyday costs. Its approach places substantial emphasis on public services, affordable housing, energy costs and access to healthcare, alongside retirement income. [How parties stand on issues affecting older New Zealanders](https://greypowermag.co.nz/politics/how-parties-stand-on-issues-affecting-older-new-zealanders/)[Election 2026: What’s in it for seniors so far?](https://www.lifetimeincome.co.nz/resources/retirement-news/2026/october/election-2026-what-s-in-it-for-seniors-so-far)

![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

Proposes compulsory KiwiSaver enrolment, an automatic $1,000 government contribution at birth, and employee and employer contribution rates rising to 8% initially and eventually 10%. Its stated policy is to protect the existing NZ Super eligibility age. [Winston Peters - “Seniors Sole Defender”](https://www.nzfirst.nz/winston_peters_seniors_sole_defender)[Election 2026: What’s in it for seniors so far?](https://www.lifetimeincome.co.nz/resources/retirement-news/2026/october/election-2026-what-s-in-it-for-seniors-so-far)

![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

Supports raising the Super age to 67, exempting qualifying long-term physical workers from the increase. It proposes removing tax on KiwiSaver investment earnings but ending the government KiwiSaver contribution. [Where the parties stand on New Zealand Super](https://www.localmatters.co.nz/general_elections_2026/where-the-parties-stand-on-new-zealand-super/)[Election 2026: What’s in it for seniors so far?](https://www.lifetimeincome.co.nz/resources/retirement-news/2026/october/election-2026-what-s-in-it-for-seniors-so-far)

![](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/KZ1zP60v_ZeHHj3ij4DA2sVh6oX86DHN4x_RGhm63IEKbj8P_3phlgxON0_dzBqruxZt_piBvLSwWYOzxGtRjeiBIDJnBczyBauAihY7VhbFruy9Xq4tPeGbXtvfFHap7T9ZV_eOqtHyttigv_yv7jT6ibug6IoPJMJnJ8SLOeE?purpose=inline)

### The Opportunities Party (TOP)

Proposes compulsory KiwiSaver 2.0, with employer and employee contributions rising to 6% each. Its Citizen’s Income model would replace NZ Super with a general income payment and a supplementary amount for retirees, with potential longer-term adjustments based on other income. [Where the parties stand on New Zealand Super](https://www.localmatters.co.nz/general_elections_2026/where-the-parties-stand-on-new-zealand-super/)[Election 2026: What’s in it for seniors so far?](https://www.lifetimeincome.co.nz/resources/retirement-news/2026/october/election-2026-what-s-in-it-for-seniors-so-far)

![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

Has advocated for earlier Super eligibility for Māori. Its detailed current KiwiSaver and retirement-income settings were not established by the sources reviewed here, so these should not be assumed. [Where the parties stand on New Zealand Super](https://www.localmatters.co.nz/general_elections_2026/where-the-parties-stand-on-new-zealand-super/)[Election Survey 2026 - National Council of Women of New Zealand](https://www.ncwnz.org.nz/election_survey_2026)

The main practical differences are compulsory saving, the share of retirement income coming from the state versus private savings, and whether the government continues contributing directly to KiwiSaver. The precise effects will depend on each proposal's final eligibility rules, implementation dates and legislation. [Election 2026: What’s in it for seniors so far?](https://www.lifetimeincome.co.nz/resources/retirement-news/2026/october/election-2026-what-s-in-it-for-seniors-so-far)[2026 Election Policy Summaries](https://apex.org.nz/resources/2026-election-policy-summaries/)

## 3. Aged care, home support and retirement villages

Aged care covers several different things: help with daily living at home, residential care and dementia services, support for unpaid family carers, and retirement-village contracts. The parties' policies vary across these areas.

The following comparison draws on the parties' responses to Grey Power and the National Council of Women of New Zealand, as well as published election policy summaries. [How parties stand on issues affecting older New Zealanders](https://greypowermag.co.nz/politics/how-parties-stand-on-issues-affecting-older-new-zealanders/)[Election Survey 2026 - National Council of Women of New Zealand](https://www.ncwnz.org.nz/election_survey_2026)[2026 Election Policy Summaries](https://apex.org.nz/resources/2026-election-policy-summaries/)

| Party | Main stated direction on aged care and older people's services |
| --- | --- |
| National | Emphasises healthcare delivery, medicines and cancer screening, alongside housing affordability and support for seniors. Its retirement-village proposal would require repayment within nine months, with 10% of net termination proceeds paid within four weeks, for qualifying future agreements. [How parties stand on issues affecting older New Zealanders](https://greypowermag.co.nz/politics/how-parties-stand-on-issues-affecting-older-new-zealanders/)[Election 2026: What’s in it for seniors so far?](https://www.lifetimeincome.co.nz/resources/retirement-news/2026/october/election-2026-what-s-in-it-for-seniors-so-far) |
| Labour | Proposes three free GP visits a year through a Medicard and a $4-an-hour pay rise for care and support workers. It proposes requiring retirement villages to repay departing residents or their estates within three months, including existing residents and contracts. [How parties stand on issues affecting older New Zealanders](https://greypowermag.co.nz/politics/how-parties-stand-on-issues-affecting-older-new-zealanders/)[Election Survey 2026 - National Council of Women of New Zealand](https://www.ncwnz.org.nz/election_survey_2026)[2026 Election Policy Summaries](https://apex.org.nz/resources/2026-election-policy-summaries/) |
| Green Party | Proposes a state-owned, not-for-profit retirement-village system, stronger publicly funded health and aged-care services, and full implementation of the national dementia action plan over five years. It also emphasises accessible housing and community support. [How parties stand on issues affecting older New Zealanders](https://greypowermag.co.nz/politics/how-parties-stand-on-issues-affecting-older-new-zealanders/)[Election Survey 2026 - National Council of Women of New Zealand](https://www.ncwnz.org.nz/election_survey_2026)[2026 Election Policy Summaries](https://apex.org.nz/resources/2026-election-policy-summaries/) |
| New Zealand First | Identifies aged-care reform as a priority, supporting better coordination between primary healthcare, community services and aged care, and practical support for older people who need care. It has also proposed a seniors' housing plan. [How parties stand on issues affecting older New Zealanders](https://greypowermag.co.nz/politics/how-parties-stand-on-issues-affecting-older-new-zealanders/)[Election Survey 2026 - National Council of Women of New Zealand](https://www.ncwnz.org.nz/election_survey_2026) |
| ACT | Its detailed response to Grey Power's older-person questionnaire was not supplied. Its published health proposals include expanding pharmacists' roles and increasing funding for medicines. These are relevant to older people but do not, by themselves, establish a comprehensive aged-care policy. [How parties stand on issues affecting older New Zealanders](https://greypowermag.co.nz/politics/how-parties-stand-on-issues-affecting-older-new-zealanders/)[2026 Election Policy Summaries](https://apex.org.nz/resources/2026-election-policy-summaries/) |
| TOP | Emphasises community-based healthcare, preventive care and helping people age at home. It proposes a 10-year cross-party health plan and changes to housing support, including replacing the Accommodation Supplement with a universal housing payment. [How parties stand on issues affecting older New Zealanders](https://greypowermag.co.nz/politics/how-parties-stand-on-issues-affecting-older-new-zealanders/)[2026 Election Policy Summaries](https://apex.org.nz/resources/2026-election-policy-summaries/) |
| Te Pāti Māori | Has committed to implementing recommendations from the Ministerial Advisory Group's aged-care report and rebuilding the Māori Health Authority. Its approach places emphasis on culturally appropriate support and Māori health needs. [Election Survey 2026 - National Council of Women of New Zealand](https://www.ncwnz.org.nz/election_survey_2026)[Election 2026: What’s in it for seniors so far?](https://www.lifetimeincome.co.nz/resources/retirement-news/2026/october/election-2026-what-s-in-it-for-seniors-so-far) |

### Retirement villages: a particularly clear policy difference

![SUMMERSET BY THE PARK in Auckland, Auckland | Senior Advisor](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/zR0w1P1r0ktTqGeToQ8LGxmU8RSSOAVCa6EG0YnxW7Sr1G3boVQuWlyLyFOHqEGrGr1XxQEpjy5gTy9bk0OsSAQR6Opk2f72kSliriezH5Vty4hn8Dv-qcsTgwLp0Tso06dbs7OvRCByYzgX3ECXqXR5AJlYbvbkPUoN2ukhKqs?purpose=inline)

National

Repayment within nine months, with an initial 10% payment within four weeks. The proposed rules apply to qualifying future occupation-right agreements, rather than existing agreements. [Election 2026: What’s in it for seniors so far?](https://www.lifetimeincome.co.nz/resources/retirement-news/2026/october/election-2026-what-s-in-it-for-seniors-so-far)

![New Zealand Retirement Villages](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/xyWAiWDGCbV6u4hK4KTI5I9xUiCq8PDva2TF3shGuQprI6d2lJksh54CGRtDwefvSG-zJwXF3nYiDLBS30a7VgwX3tzMGuTCDE4EStv9xYm6wxXqg9PPXdj65OPBrhzBHmQ8qYsPc2U7oXN2uAQN4h1WtLub0QSnjFJ40cQcf8A?purpose=inline)

Labour

Proposes repayment within three months, covering existing residents and contracts as well as future ones. A separate proposal would require 10% repayment within five working days. [Election Survey 2026 - National Council of Women of New Zealand](https://www.ncwnz.org.nz/election_survey_2026)[Election 2026: What’s in it for seniors so far?](https://www.lifetimeincome.co.nz/resources/retirement-news/2026/october/election-2026-what-s-in-it-for-seniors-so-far)

![Life At Our Fairway Gardens Village | Metlifecare](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/WX1CJTwo8jzn47mrLpceOabE6TFP39Fgw-3gZAjfgoeaNRPzlYQ-C7isjfi290hpRnygMrXufFDmQJ2dYsykqewdP3bbgm6S6TTlwFLhA-rr6ii4tlHvEQCjdUQ_XqHRcFdaofSeJaKbpQCu9I4YAkulvO7CVuKOhGKNJHP00bY?purpose=inline)

Greens

Proposes developing a state-owned, not-for-profit retirement-village system, alongside broader investment in public services for older people. [How parties stand on issues affecting older New Zealanders](https://greypowermag.co.nz/politics/how-parties-stand-on-issues-affecting-older-new-zealanders/)[Election 2026: What’s in it for seniors so far?](https://www.lifetimeincome.co.nz/resources/retirement-news/2026/october/election-2026-what-s-in-it-for-seniors-so-far)

These proposals concern retirement villages, where residents commonly have occupation-right agreements. They are not the same as rules for publicly funded residential aged care, such as rest homes and hospital-level care.

## 4. The bigger question: will there be enough aged care?

The Government's Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group published its report, A place to grow old: Securing the future of aged care, in August 2026. It identifies growing demand, insufficient residential-care capacity, fragmented services and gaps in support for family carers. It recommends more integrated care, better support for people to remain at home, and changes to funding and residential-care capacity. [A place to grow old: Securing the future of aged care](https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/2026-08/MAGroup-Report-Aged-Care-NZ-v2.pdf)[Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group: Frequently asked questions September 2026](https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/2026-09/Aged-Care-Report-FAQs-Updated-September-2026.pdf)

This matters when assessing the parties because a commitment to free GP visits, higher care-worker wages or a new retirement-village model is not necessarily a complete answer to the shortage of home-care hours, dementia support or residential-care beds.

Three questions worth asking each party are:

- Funding: How will it pay for additional home support, dementia care and residential-care places as demand increases?
- Workforce: How will it recruit and retain enough nurses, care workers and home-support workers, and what pay and training arrangements will apply?
- Access: How will it make sure people in rural communities, Māori, and people with complex needs can obtain appropriate care without unreasonable delays?

The published aged-care report provides a useful benchmark for comparing the parties' proposals against the system's identified needs. [A place to grow old: Securing the future of aged care](https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/2026-08/MAGroup-Report-Aged-Care-NZ-v2.pdf)[Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group: Frequently asked questions September 2026](https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/2026-09/Aged-Care-Report-FAQs-Updated-September-2026.pdf)

## 5. Where to check the policies before election day

These sources are useful for checking the original proposals and any further announcements before 7 November.

- [Grey Power — How parties stand on issues affecting older New Zealanders](https://greypowermag.co.nz/politics/how-parties-stand-on-issues-affecting-older-new-zealanders/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- [Lifetime Income — Election 2026: What's in it for seniors so far?](https://www.lifetimeincome.co.nz/resources/retirement-news/2026/october/election-2026-what-s-in-it-for-seniors-so-far?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- [National Council of Women — 2026 election survey](https://www.ncwnz.org.nz/election_survey_2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- [Ministry of Health — Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group report](https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/2026-08/MAGroup-Report-Aged-Care-NZ-v2.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- [Labour — 2026 election policies](https://www.labour.org.nz/our-policies/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

In short: the central retirement-income choice is between retaining NZ Super at 65, increasing the qualifying age, and restructuring the wider income system. For aged care, compare the parties separately on home support, residential-care capacity, workforce funding, dementia services and retirement-village protections. Their policies in one area should not be taken as proof of a fully specified plan in another.

## Gemini

Answer ID: c76ed0a2-458e-4532-afcc-35a4f5540c8e

For the **2026 New Zealand general election**, political parties have outlined distinct positions regarding New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super), retirement income savings (KiwiSaver), and aged care. While there is a strong consensus among several parties to protect the core structure of NZ Super, significant differences exist around age eligibility, compulsory retirement savings, and aged-care reform.

---

### 1. New Zealand Superannuation (Eligibility and Age)
*   **National:** Supports eventually raising the eligibility age for NZ Super from 65 to 67, proposed to begin from 2044, though it emphasizes wanting cross-party consensus before implementation.
*   **ACT:** Proposes a faster path to raising the eligibility age to 67 by 2035, with potential exemptions for those in physically demanding occupations.
*   **Labour, Greens, and New Zealand First:** All strongly oppose raising the age of eligibility and commit to maintaining the standard retirement age at 65. NZ First also emphasizes maintaining Super at 66% of the net average wage and has campaigned on tightening citizenship requirements so that only NZ citizens are eligible from 2029.
*   **The Opportunities Party (TOP):** Proposes a major structural overhaul, replacing traditional formats with a universal Citizen's Income proposal.

---

### 2. Retirement Income and KiwiSaver
Parties differ heavily on whether KiwiSaver should remain voluntary and how much employers and employees should contribute:
*   **National:** Proposes making KiwiSaver compulsory for all workers starting from July 2028. Under this plan, employee and employer contribution rates would gradually rise to 6% each by 2032. They also propose a $1,500 "kickstart" payment for every newborn.
*   **Labour:** Proposes making **employer** contributions compulsory from July 2028, rising to 6% by 2032, even if employees temporarily pause their own contributions (with a default rate set at 4%). Labour avoids forcing employee contributions upward to ease immediate cost-of-living pressures, and plans to extend employer contributions for workers aged 65 and older.
*   **New Zealand First:** Supports compulsory KiwiSaver enrolment at birth with a Crown contribution, alongside pushing total employee and employer contribution rates higher (eventually targeting up to 10% each).
*   **ACT:** Opposes compulsory KiwiSaver mandates, characterizing them as disruptive for individuals trying to pay down mortgages or build businesses. 
*   **The Opportunities Party (TOP):** Proposes "KiwiSaver 2.0," a fully compulsory and universal scheme totaling a 12% combined contribution (6% each from employers and employees), with restrictions on early withdrawals for hardship or first-home buyers.

---

### 3. Aged Care and Health Support for Seniors
With New Zealand's aging population, healthcare and aged care are central priorities for older voters (such as through Grey Power submissions):
*   **New Zealand First:** Has identified comprehensive aged-care reform and better coordination between primary, community, and aged care as a major policy priority, alongside proposing a dedicated Seniors Housing Plan to support ageing in place.
*   **Labour:** Focuses heavily on lowering health costs for seniors, proposing a "Medicard" system to provide three free GP or nurse visits annually and an immediate pay rise for care and support workers to address workforce retention.
*   **National:** Focuses on expanding Pharmac’s medicines budget, expanding cancer-screening programmes, and improving primary healthcare access.
*   **ACT & TOP:** Focus on broader health system overhauls, with TOP proposing an increase in overall health funding to 9% of GDP with an emphasis on primary and preventative care, and ACT pushing to scale up medicine funding and specialized care centres.

## Google AI Mode

Answer ID: 85252f61-6a2c-46ca-b29f-34261ab102ae

Ahead of the 2026 general election, New Zealand’s political parties have outlined varying approaches to New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super), retirement income frameworks, and aged care, as captured in submissions to advocacy groups like Grey Power and the Aged Care Association. Political Party ResponsesElection Policy 2026

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**New Zealand Superannuation & Retirement Age**

 * * **New Zealand First:** NZ First is committed to keeping the eligibility age for NZ Super at 65 and maintaining payments at 66% of the net average wage. They also advocate restricting NZ Super eligibility to New Zealand citizens starting in 2029, and support moving toward compulsory KiwiSaver with higher employer/employee contribution frameworks.

 * **Labour Party:** Labour has stated a clear commitment to retaining the age of entitlement for NZ Super at 65 and preserving universal access without means-testing. [greypowermag.co.nz]

 * **Green Party:** The Greens support keeping the eligibility age at 65 and are open to exploring individual payment rates rather than combined couple rates in the future. They fully completed sector surveys regarding aged care priorities.

 * **The Opportunities Party (TOP):** TOP supports keeping the eligibility age at 65 for the near term while advocating for a transition toward compulsory retirement savings contributions and longer-term structural adjustments tied to a broader citizen's income model.

 * **National Party:** National supports universal superannuation and opposes means-testing. However, they have historically indicated support for raising the entitlement age to 67 further down the track (e.g., from 2044) pending cross-party consensus, though specific final parameters for the 2026 election cycle have been noted as forthcoming or generalized regarding universal protection.

 * **ACT Party:** ACT proposes lifting the superannuation entitlement age progressively (by three months every year) alongside putting temporary holds on government contributions to the NZ Super Fund as part of its wider fiscal constraint plan. ACT's proposal features "compassionate access" exemptions for individuals who have worked demanding physical careers for a substantial portion of their lives.

 * **Te Pāti Māori:** Te Pāti Māori did not formally respond to sector questionnaires ahead of the initial 2026 advocacy rollouts, but historically focus retirement policy debates on addressing lower life expectancy and socioeconomic inequities affecting Māori access to adequate retirement outcomes. [Aged Care Association]

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**Aged Care and Sector Funding**

 * * **Aged Care Demands:** Sector bodies like the Aged Care Association have pressed all parties on critical issues including ageing physical infrastructure, dementia care accessibility, and shifting to a transparent, evidence-based "case-mix" funding model where clinical funding dynamically follows an individual's interRAI-assessed needs.

 * **Party Engagement:** Parties such as NZ First, the Green Party, and TOP engaged directly by fully completing comprehensive sector surveys on residential aged-care proposals. Labour responded via correspondence outlining general priorities, whereas National and ACT did not complete the specific structured surveys during the initial campaign intake, relying instead on broader fiscal and health policy manifestos.