Kaspanz complained to the Standards committee about the twice repeated (2nd time not mentioned in the reply ) opening remarks by presenter Amelia Wade in a high pitch and over emphasised voice “to keep or tweak the super expensive super scheme“ when introducing the annual April increases to benefits and pension schemes, TV Three 6pm News.
Dear Alec
The Warner Bros. Discovery Standards Committee completed its review of your complaint about Newshub Live at 6 pm on 13 March on Three (the Broadcast). We have considered your complaint under Standards 5 (Balance) and 6 (Accuracy) of the Broadcasting Standards Codebook 2022. Upon review, we have not identified any breach of the nominated standards and have not upheld your complaint. The Broadcast: Newshub reported on the cost of living crisis and the government’s response of boosting major benefits to match inflation to assist those in financial need. Concluding the story in a live cross, the reporter commented that the government had to decide whether “to keep or tweak the super expensive super scheme “
Standard 5 – Balance
We maintain that balance on the issue of the cost of superannuation can be achieved within the period of interest. The Broadcasting Standards Authority has acknowledged “the practical reality that programmes cannot be perfectly balanced” and the standard allows for balance to be achieved over time, ‘within the period of current interest’ in relation to a particular issue. This issue will be an ongoing nationwide conversation. Accordingly, the period of interest to achieve balance on this issue remains ongoing and we have found no breach of this standard.
Standard 6 – Accuracy
The purpose of the accuracy standard is to ensure the audience is not significantly misled on material points of fact.
The Committee is satisfied that the reporter’s comments in relation to the superannuation scheme did not significantly mislead the audience. Treasury has warned that paying for New Zealand Superannuation and health care for the elderly will create significant debt by 2060 for the Government. It said 26% of the population would be over 65 by then, compared with 16% in 2020. New Zealand Superannuation and health care would have to be paid for on borrowed money. The forecasts show net Crown debt would rise to almost six times its current level. It would soar to 177% of GDP, up from about one-third of GDP now.
In the context of reporting the superannuation inflation increases as being part of a $2 billion package, the Committee is satisfied the claims by the reporter could be supported and found no breach of this standard.
If you are not happy about this decision you have the right in accordance with Section 7(3) of the Broadcasting Act 1989 to refer your complaint to the Broadcasting Standards Authority, (P.O. Box 9213, Wellington or bsa.govt.nz) for the purpose of an investigation and review. You have 20 working days after receipt of this email to exercise this right of referral.
Kind regards, Dianne Martin Broadcasting Standards Manager
- From the Horses mouth. Brick bat to Work and Income.
Pay date Calendar for 2023 was not posted on their site till late Dec 2022.
They always post the past years dates,, but the pending year always arrive late-not helpful for budgeting .
Want to know about NZ Super, this Money hub Guide assists
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NZ Superannuation in a Nutshell
Our guide explains everything you need to know about entitlements, applying, how overseas pensions affect entitlements, working after 65 and other receiving benefits
Updated 10 May 2023Summary
- New Zealand Superannuation is the more formal name given to the pension. Often shortened to “NZ Super”, “Super”, “Pension” or National Super” it is the payment proper become eligible for once they turn 65.
- There are no income or asset limits that might prevent eligibility and payments continue as long as you live in New Zealand. You can remain in full time or part-time work once you turn 65 and still receive New Zealand Superannuation payments.
- Payments are made fortnightly directly to your bank account – payment amounts are outline in our dedicated NZ Super rates guide.
Our guide covers:
- Eligibility Criteria for New Zealand Superannuation
- Must-Know Superannuation Facts and Considerations
Important: If you have any questions about NZ Super, please contact Work and Income – MoneyHub cannot advise on any question as our guides are published for reference only.
NZ Superannuation team:
- Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm
- Saturday, 8am to 1pm.
- Phone: 0800 552 002
- Calling from Australia: 1800 150 479
- Calling from overseas: +64 4 978 1180
Veteran’s Pension
- Call the Veteran’s Pension team with any questions.
- Contact the Veteran’s Pension team
Eligibility Criteria for New Zealand Superannuation
The key eligibility criteria for New Zealand Superannuation are that you:
- Are 65 years of age or over
- Are either a New Zealand citizen, a permanent resident, or hold a residence class visa
- Are ordinarily resident in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau when you apply
- Have lived in New Zealand for at least 10 years since you turned 20
- Have lived in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau (or a combination of these) for at least 5 years since you turned 50.
The residency criteria can be quite strict, and if you’ve lived in one of a number of countries during your life, you may need to confirm the dates you were in and out of New Zealand. The easiest way to do this is to give Work and Income permission to obtain your travel records from Immigration New Zealand.
If you don’t meet the residency criteria for New Zealand Superannuation, you may be eligible to apply for a different type of assistance under hardship provisions – either Jobseeker Support or as a last resort, an Emergency Benefit.
How to apply:
- As with most type of assistance available from Work and Income, you’ll need to complete an application form either online or in person, attend an interview and provide verification of some of your documents.
- The documents you’ll need are two forms of identification (e.g. a Birth Certificate and/or Passport plus something else), verification of your bank account details, and information about any additional income, investments, expense or overseas pensions.
- For straightforward applications, Work and Income offer phone appointments to complete your application if you start the process online
When to apply:
- Work and Income recommend making contact with them three to four weeks before your 65th birthday to ensure that your payments can start as soon as you turn 65.
- If you have received Work and Income assistance in the past, then they may send you a letter inviting you to apply, but don’t rely on this happening.
- As with most assistance from Work and Income, payments can only be backdated to the day you first make contact, so don’t leave it too late otherwise you will miss out on unclaimed superannuation.
- Remember, you don’t need to be out of work or have finished work to receive New Zealand Superannuation – you can keep working as long as you like while receiving your superannuation payments at the same time.
New Zealand Superannuation – Must-Know Facts and Considerations
New Zealand Superannuation isn’t KiwiSaver
KiwiSaver and New Zealand Superannuation are two different things. KiwiSaver is a (mostly) voluntary retirement savings scheme where you choose to put a percentage of your salary or wages aside into an investment account. When you turn 65 you can access your KiwiSaver savings to support you during your retirement. You can receive both KiwiSaver and New Zealand Superannuation, or just one, or neither.
Because New Zealand Superannuation isn’t income or asset tested, receiving either a lump sum KiwiSaver payment or a regular payment each week doesn’t affect your entitlement. However, once you can access your KiwiSaver savings at age 65, Work and Income does consider the money an asset, which may prevent you from receiving additional support from Work and Income like the Accommodation Supplement, the Disability Allowance or assistance with emergency food.
We strongly recommend you seek advice about what to do with your KiwiSaver savings when you turn 65. We are aware of new retirees who have withdrawn their entire KiwiSaver balance and fallen into the trap of spending it all at once on cars and holidays believing this is the only way to be eligible for Work and Income assistance.
Its well worth investigating options for receiving regular payments from KiwiSaver so you can benefit from investment returns, rather than a lump sum payment into your bank account.
If you have lived overseas you may need to provide detailed paperwork
Because both overseas pensions and time outside of New Zealand can effect your entitlement to assistance, getting a good picture of where you have lived can form a big part of your application.It’s best to be prepared. Try and write down where you have lived and when before your appointment, and think about if you worked at the time and if you may have been eligible for a Government pension—even time doing and OE or living in Australia count.
Doing a small amount of preperation work can save a lot of time in your application and prevent delays.
Know this: While most forms of income don’t affect your New Zealand Superannuation payments, pensions or superannuation paid by other countries do.
- If you receive a Government pension from any other country, the amount you receive is deducted from your payments from the New Zealand Government. Generally, you receive the payment from the overseas Government and Work and Income make a dollar for dollar deduction from your New Zealand Superannuation payments, allowing for bank fees and currency conversion.
- If you receive a benefit or pension from The Netherlands, Jersey and Guernsey, United Kingdom or Ireland you can choose to have your overseas benefit or pension paid by the Special Banking Option. This means you receive your full New Zealand Superannuation payment from Work and Income, and your payment due from the overseas pension is paid directly to the Government.
- This doesn’t apply to voluntary superannuation schemes and pensions (e.g. overseas versions of KiwiSaver) but does apply to compulsory schemes or schemes run by Governments.
- If you have lived and worked in a few countries this can get quite complicated, so best to think about what you might be eligible for from overseas before you apply so you are prepared.
What if I just don’t apply for my overseas pension?
- Work and Income will require that you test your eligibility to an overseas pension if there is a possibility you will qualify.
- Depending on the country, this can be quite complicated, but they have a dedicated department (International Services) to help you through the process.
- Unfortunately, opting out of making an application isn’t really an option.
Beyond the superannuation payment, you are also able to apply for additional support
As long as you meet the income and asset requirements, you are still able to receive supplementary assistance from Work and Income when you receive New Zealand Superannuation. This can include:
- Hardship assistance such as food grants or advance payments of benefit
- Accommodation Supplement if you are paying rent, board or mortgage costs
- Disability Allowance if you have ongoing costs related to an ongoing disability.
You can include an application for this assistance when you apply, or apply any time once your New Zealand Superannuation has been granted.
Special assistance for Veterans and their partners
If you have served in the Armed Forces, you may be eligible for a Veteran’s Pension rather than New Zealand Superannuation. There are financial advantages to receiving a Veteran’s Pension and other grants and allowances to people in specific circumstances.
If you think this may apply to you then before applying for New Zealand Superannuation, contact Work and Income’s Veteran’s Pension Centre on 0800 650 656 to talk about your circumstances, and they’ll explain how to apply.
SuperGold Card
SuperGold – or the ‘gold card’ as some people know it is a programme that offers discounts for people who are over the age of 65. Discounts can range from things like electricity, insurance, food and healthcare to free off-peak public transport.
You don’t have to do anything to get a SuperGold Card, once your New Zealand Superannuation has been granted, Work and Income will automatically send you the card in the mail.
The SuperGold Card isn’t a replacement for the Community Services Card – you can use both with the Community Services Card being more closely linked to healthcare services.
If you have questions about the Super Gold Card, you can call their team Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, on 0800 25 45 65
Related guides- Navigating Work and Income – an essential must-read guide that explains everything you need to know about dealing with Work and Income before visiting your local office
- Retirement Calculator – calculate how much you need for your retirement
- Community Services Card – we cover who qualifies, what it offers and why they’re important
- Understanding urgent costs and living expense assistance – we explain what’s available to anyone in urgent need