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Good news! From April 1 this year, NZ Super payments have increased by about 3%, giving retirees a little more breathing room in their budgets. While every bit helps, many retirees might still find themselves wondering: Will NZ Super be enough to fund a comfortable retirement?
The team at Lifetime Income have written a short article on what you need to know about the latest increase — and what you can do if your pension alone doesn’t quite stretch far enough.
You can read the original article here: NZ Super has gone up – but is it enough? Or you can read the article published in full below and tell us what you think in the comments section.
How much will you get?
NZ Super is adjusted annually to keep pace with wage growth, and from April 2025, here’s what recipients will receive each week (after tax at M code):
- Single (living alone): $538.42
- Single (sharing): $497.00
- Married, civil union, or de facto (both qualify): $828.34 per couple
- Married, civil union, or de facto (one partner qualifies): $414.17
- Married, civil union, or de facto (one partner qualifies, other is included): $787.58 per couple
It’s a modest increase, but for many, it’s still not quite enough to cover all the essentials, let alone enjoy the retirement they’ve worked so hard for.
If you have savings: make them work for you
If you’ve got savings set aside, the real challenge is figuring out how to turn that lump sum into a reliable income stream. This is where decumulation funds — like Lifetime Income — come in. A fund like Lifetime Income helps you convert your nest egg into steady fortnightly payments.
Meanwhile, Lifetime Invest offers a range of traditional investment funds, including cash, conservative, balanced, and growth options for those who don’t need additional income or are after a more holistic financial plan. Whether you’re looking to preserve your savings or grow them, there’s a fund to match your risk level and retirement goals.
If you don’t have savings: your home could be the key
Traditional reverse mortgages allow homeowners to borrow against their home’s value, but there’s also now a debt-free alternative with Lifetime Home. Unlike a reverse mortgage, Lifetime Home lets retirees sell a small share of their home in exchange for a fortnightly income for 10 years, without adding to their debt obligations.
For retirees struggling to get by on NZ Super alone, home equity release solutions could be a game-changer and the difference between barely scraping by and enjoying a secure, choice-filled retirement. If you’d like to check whether your home is eligible for Lifetime Home, simply click here to request an assessment.
It’s important to discuss your options with family and a financial adviser. If you'd like a referral to an independent adviser, we’re happy to connect you with one – just get in touch.
Future-proof your retirement income
One of the biggest shocks in retirement, financial and otherwise, is the loss of a partner. When one partner passes away, NZ Super payments drop to the single rate, but household bills—like power, insurance, and rates—don’t suddenly shrink.
That’s why Lifetime Income and Lifetime Home offer joint account options, ensuring that income continues for the surviving partner. These solutions provide financial stability and peace of mind, helping to ensure one of life’s hardest moments isn’t made even more difficult.
Have you thought about Lifetime Retirement Income to look after your money in retirement?
If you’d like to find out more about any of their retirement income solutions, including Lifetime Income, Lifetime Home and Lifetime Invest, their locally-based income specialists are on hand to chat.
So click on the button below and contact Lifetime Retirement Income to find out more.
Lifetime Income
Turn your retirement savings into a regular income
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