retirement.org.nz

It is an authoritative document for anyone seeking independent background information on retirement income,especially those who advise or comment on retirement policy issues. The new edition updates the first published in May 1999 – incorporating information on the developments and policy changes since that time.

“We have combined a wide range of information from a variety of sources and put it all together in an accessible and easy-to-understand way. As well as explaining the history of retirement income policies in New Zealand the publication also identifies the main policy options for adjusting to a rising proportion of elderly people in the population,” he said.

New information provided includes:

• Policy changes since 1999, including the current status of the New Zealand Superannuation Bill;
• Updated statistics including:
• Extracts from the Government Actuary Report 2000
• Sources of income of older New Zealanders
• Population statistics and projections
• Income distribution figures.

Copies of Retirement Income in New Zealand: the historical context are available from the Office of the Retirement Commissioner.

Graph showing changes in New Zealand Superannuation Policy for the
period 1898 – 2000.
From Retirement Income in New Zealand: the historical context.

This chart is a stylised representation of the changes in New Zealand’s tax-funded public pension in the period 1898 to 2000. In the period 1898 to 1977 the New Zealand pension evolution showed a zig-zag movement from low rate, highly targeted public pensions to high rate universal pensions. Since then, the changes have involved a move back from the 1977 position.

For further information:
Liz Read
Communications Manager
Office of the Retirement Commissioner
Tel: 0-4-499 7396

Attachment
Retirement history “essential reading”