If you live alone
Find out about getting New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super) or the Veteran’s Pension when you’re single and live by yourself or in shared accommodation.
Payment rates — how much you’ll get
The amount of NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension you get depends on your living situation and which tax code you use.
Work and Income can help you calculate this for:
Rates when you live alone
There are 2 single rates:
- single, living alone
- single, sharing accommodation.
The ‘single, living alone’ rate pays the highest amount. Both single rates pay more than the partner rates.
If you and your spouse or partner are living separately, you may be eligible for the single rate.
Getting the single rate when you have a partner
The living alone rate applies to people aged 65 or over. It’s a different rate of NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension — not a separate allowance.
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.
Dependent child definition — Work and Income
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 a 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 to check if you should be on a different rate.
Partner in long-term residential or hospital care
Your partner will get their NZ Super at the couples 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.
Partner in prison
If your partner is in prison, their NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension stops. If they’re released or released on bail, their NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension can be started again.
Your partner needs to contact Work and Income and tell them they’ve been released.
NZ Superannuation and imprisonment — Work and Income
Transfer to psychiatric hospital
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 a psychiatric hospital for longer than 13 weeks, their payment is reduced to the weekly hospital rate.
Detention in or transfer to a psychiatric hospital — Work and Income
Payment dates
NZ Super and the Veteran’s Pension are paid fortnightly (2-weekly) on a Tuesday.
If your situation changes
Tell Work and Income if:
- you think you’re on the wrong payment rate
- your personal information has changed
- your relationship status or your living arrangements change, such as if your partner dies or you separate
- you’re going overseas.
NZ Super and Veteran’s Pension obligations — Work and Income
Going overseas
Find out if your payments can continue when you travel or move overseas:
You need more government help
If you qualify for other income support on top of your NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension, Work and Income will arrange this for you.
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.
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Work and Income
Contact and agency details