65-year-old says it's wrong she gets less NZ Super for being married
A married Christchurch woman says it is “ridiculous” she is paid less New Zealand Superannuation than someone who is single and living with another adult.
A married person gets a pension of $817.32 a fortnight, before tax, compared with the $990.20 received by a person sharing with someone who is not their spouse or partner.
“I have a friend who isn't in a relationship, but she's sharing a house, and they share all the expenses, and she's going to end up getting $172.88 more than me a fortnight which is just plain wrong,” said Daphne, who did not want her last name used for privacy concerns.
The combined fortnightly payment for a couple is $1634.64.
The Ministry of Social Development said people in a relationship were more likely to share a wider range of costs and resources than a single person living with another adult.
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