Would you keep working if 65 was no longer the retirement age?

Thursday, 14 May 2026

In her final week as Retirement Commissioner, Jane Wrightson argues that New Zealand needs to look at the 'pension age' and KiwiSaver holistically to ensure long-term stability and equity for all workers.

For many New Zealanders, turning 65 is still seen as the point where work can finally slow down, or stop altogether.

But would you be comfortable staying in the workforce for another few years if the retirement age changed?

It is a question New Zealand may have to keep asking as the population ages and the cost of superannuation rises.

New Zealand Superannuation is currently available from 65. But Treasury has warned the country will face growing pressure in the coming decades as there are fewer working-age people for every person over 65.

In 1965, there were seven working-age New Zealanders for every person over 65. Today, there are about four. By 2065, Treasury expects there to be just two.

That means fewer workers paying tax to help fund superannuation, healthcare and other public services for a larger older population.

A Stuff analysis of Treasury’s long-term fiscal report said keeping the superannuation bill at 5.1% of GDP would mean the pension age gradually rising to 72 over the next 40 years. Other options included higher income tax, a higher GST rate, or cuts to health and welfare.

Milford Investments chief executive Blair Turnbull has also warned New Zealanders may have to work into their 70s if the country wants to keep paying for superannuation. He said 40% of retirees relied entirely on super because they had no savings.

But raising the age is not simple.

Some people may be able to keep working past 65, especially if they are in office jobs, flexible roles, or work they enjoy.

Would you feel comfortable working another two or even 10 years beyond the current retirement age?

Others may find it much harder because of physical work, health problems, caring responsibilities, or age discrimination.

There is also the question of whether it would be fair.

Should younger New Zealanders expect to work longer than their parents? Should people with higher incomes receive less super? Should KiwiSaver be compulsory? Or should Super stay at 65, with the Government finding the money somewhere else?

The political parties do not agree on the answer.

National supports gradually lifting the super age to 67, but not until 2040.

However, that policy is not part of the current coalition Government’s programme because New Zealand First wants the age to stay at 65.

ACT also supports raising the age, saying super settings will have to change. ACT wants the age to rise by two months each year until it reaches 67.

Labour, the Green Party, Te Pāti Māori and New Zealand First all currently support keeping the age at 65.

The Green Party and Te Pāti Māori have argued the answer should be a wealth tax, rather than raising the age or cutting public services. Te Pāti Māori has also pointed to lower Māori life expectancy, saying raising the age would deepen inequity.

For now, 65 remains the age for super. But the debate over who pays, who works longer, and who misses out is unlikely to go away.

Would working past 65 be realistic for you, or would your job, health, finances or family responsibilities make it too hard? Tell us in the comments. If you’re using the Stuff app on iOS you’ll need to view Stuff.co.nz on a browser to view and post comments.