NZ Super Eligibility Calculator
Find the residence-duration rule attached to your 65th birthday and identify conditions that need more evidence.
Count years you were both resident and present. Only 10 years must be in NZ itself; the rest of the requirement, and the 5 years since age 50, can be in NZ, the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau.
Initial check
Subject to Work and Income confirmation
NZ Super qualifying date
Your 65th birthday
Residence required since age 20
Including 5 years since age 50
Your entries meet the standard residence-duration and status conditions in this quick check.
Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau residence and periods in a country with a Social Security Agreement may help you qualify. Work and Income must assess those periods, absences and immigration evidence individually.
Why the required years change
The New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income (Fair Residency) Amendment Act 2021 phases the standard residence requirement from 10 to 20 years. Your qualifying date is your 65th birthday, so two people applying in the same calendar year can face different thresholds around a 1 July step date.
This is an initial evidence check, not an application decision. Work and Income considers immigration status, ordinary residence, absences, Cook Islands/Niue/Tokelau residence and Social Security Agreement periods. Once eligible, use the NZ Super calculator to estimate fortnightly take-home pay.
Frequently asked questions
How many years must I live in NZ to get NZ Super?
The requirement depends on your 65th birthday. It rose from 10 to 11 years for people qualifying from 1 July 2024 and increases by one year every two years until it reaches 20 years from 1 July 2042.
Do I need five years in NZ after age 50?
Yes. At least five of the required residence years must be since age 50 under the standard residence test.
Can overseas residence count?
Periods in one country with a Social Security Agreement may help (time from several agreement countries cannot be combined), as can time in the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau. Work and Income must assess the country, contribution history and agreement rules; this quick check does not decide that credit.
Official sources: Work and Income — who can get NZ Super and Fair Residency Amendment Act 2021. Checked July 2026.
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