If you live alone

Find out about getting NZ Superannuation or Veteran’s Pension when you’re single and live by yourself or when you’re single and share accommodation.

Payment rates

NZ Super and the Veteran’s Pension are paid at different rates depending on your relationship and living situation. There are 2 single rates:

  • Single, living alone
  • Single, sharing accommodation.

The ‘single, living alone’ rate pays you more money than the ‘single, sharing accommodation’. Both single rates are more than the partner rates.

If you and your spouse or partner are living separately, you may be able to get the single rate.

Getting the single rate when you have a partner

Living alone or with a dependent child

If you’re living by yourself or it’s just you and a dependent child, you can get the ‘single, living alone’ rate.

Definition of dependent child — Words we use — Work and Income

Note: You can have visitors to stay for up to a total of 13 weeks in any 26-week (6-month) period and still get the ‘single, living alone’ rate.

Single but living with someone else

If you live with someone who’s not your partner or dependent child, you’ll get the ‘single, sharing accommodation’ rate.

‘Sharing accommodation’ means you’re living with someone and they’re:

  • over 18 and not a dependent child
  • staying more than 13 weeks in any 26-week (6-month) period.

Getting the single rate when you have a partner

You might be able to get the single rate if your spouse or partner is in:

  • residential care
  • long-term hospital care
  • prison
  • a separate living arrangement — because your marriage or civil union has ended or is ending.

Contact Work and Income and they’ll check whether you should be on a different rate.

Phone us — Work and Income

What your partner gets if they’re in care or prison

Partner in long-term residential or hospital care

Your partner gets their NZ Super at the married, civil union or partner rate. If they’re eligible for the Residential Care Subsidy or a Residential Care Loan, most of their NZ Super goes towards the cost of their care — they’ll get a personal weekly allowance.

Paying for residential care

Partner in prison

If your partner is in prison, their NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension stops. If they’re released on bail, their NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension can be started again. They need to contact Work and Income to tell them they’ve been released.

Phone us — Work and Income

If your partner is transferred from prison to a psychiatric hospital, their NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension can be restarted and is paid at the normal rate for 13 weeks. In most cases their social worker will let Work and Income know.

If your partner is in the hospital for longer than 13 weeks, their payment is reduced to the weekly hospital rate.

New Zealand Superannuation and Imprisonment — Work and Income

How much you can get

Find out the amount of NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension you can get for your situation on Work and Income’s website.

Payment dates

NZ Super and the Veteran’s Pension are paid fortnightly on a Tuesday.

Payment dates for NZ Super and Veteran’s Pension

Your situation has changed

If you think you’re on the wrong rate or your situation has changed, let Work and Income know about it.

New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran’s Pension obligations — Work and Income

Going overseas

Check whether your payments can continue when you travel or move overseas.

Who to contact for more help

If you need more help or have questions about the information or services on this page, contact the following agency.

Utility links and page information

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