SHOCKING!!!! The 20-somethings receiving NZ Super
There are about 3000 people across New Zealand receiving NZ Super who are not yet 65 - and three of them are not even 30.
Before 2020, it was possible for someone receiving NZ Super to add a non-qualifying partner.
This gives each person a payment of $787.58 a fortnight.
The option was removed in 2020 but people who were already receiving the payment were allowed to remain on it.
Three are aged 25 to 29, six 30 to 34, nine 35 to 39 and 27 aged 40 to 44.
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The number is rounded to the nearest three.
The bulk of the 3003 non-qualifying partners aged under 65 are between between 60 and 64.
In 2019, there were 13,231 non-qualifying partners receiving the payment.
A Cabinet paper at the time of the change noted that the payment was income tested but there were no work obligations for either partner.
It said the change was made as part of a shift towards assessing the pension on an individual basis.
"Partners who are unable to access the NQP provision will continue to have access to the main benefit system - eg Jobseeker Support, Support Supported Living Payment, or Emergency Benefit."
But economist Shamubeel Eaqub said people who were in that position were worse off.
"Unemployment payments are a lot less than super payments."
Infometrics chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan agreed there was potential inequity between someone who had qualified for the higher payment because of their older partner, and someone who had not.
A person on JobSeeker Support at half the couple rate would get $307.42 before tax each week, compared to $476.47 for the NZ Super recipient.
Any additional income earned by the couple would reduce the JobSeeker entitlement but not the NZ Super payment.
Kiernan said about 2.5 percent of people aged 60 to 64 were on JobSeeker Support. That was a total of about 7800 people in August, compared to 8139 for 55 to 59-year-olds.
At the time of the change, the Retirement Policy Research Centre said there could be problems for couples if someone who was under 65 had to stop work to care for an older partner but could no longer access the same support.
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Some Choice News!
DOC is rolling out a new tool to help figure out what to tackle first when it comes to protecting our threatened species and the things putting them at risk.
Why does this matter? As Nikki Macdonald from The Post points out, we’re a country with around 4,400 threatened species. With limited time and funding, conservation has always meant making tough calls about what gets attention first.
For the first time, DOC has put real numbers around what it would take to do everything needed to properly safeguard our unique natural environment. The new BioInvest tool shows the scale of the challenge: 310,177 actions across 28,007 sites.
Now that we can see the full picture, it brings the big question into focus: how much do we, as Kiwis, truly value protecting nature — and what are we prepared to invest to make it happen?
We hope this brings a smile!
🎉 Riddle me this, legends! 🎉
He/She who makes it, sells it.
He/She who buys it, doesn't use it.
The user doesn't know they are using it.
What is it?
(Shezz from Ngāruawāhia kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Shezz!)
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
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Scam Alert: Bank cold calls
ASB is warning customers about reports of cold calls from scammers claiming to be from ASB. These scammers are trying to obtain personal information, including usernames, dates of birth, and verification codes sent to your mobile phone.
🛡️ The "Caller Check" Test
If you get a call from someone claiming to be from ASB and you’re unsure, just ask them for a Caller Check. You will then be able to verify the call through the app.
Remember, banks will:
❌ Never ask for your banking passwords, PINs, or verification codes
❌ Never need to know your full credit card number – especially the CVC
❌ Never ask you to download software or remotely access your device
❌ Never ask you to purchase gift cards or transfer funds.
If you have received a phone call and think your account has been compromised, call ASB on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372), or visit your local branch.
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