Indicator 11: Income security

Yes.

Public income security programmes are important for reducing the risk of poverty and/or material hardship in older age. There are:

• two non-contributory schemes – New Zealand Superannuation (the pension) and the Veteran’s Pension; and
• one contributory scheme – KiwiSaver.

Older people might also have private income and savings; income from these sources is not the focus of this indicator.

About the pension

All people who meet certain age and residency requirements are eligible to apply for the pension. The pension is available from age 65 and is funded from general government revenue. The Veteran’s Pension is an alternative pension available to eligible people from age 65. Our report on indicator 21 sets out more information about the pensions.

Uptake of the pension

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) reports on the proportion of people receiving the pension in its annual statistical report. The latest report said that, between 2007 and 2011, the proportion of people aged 65+ who were receiving the pension increased from an estimated 92.8% to 95% of the total population aged 65+.^[1] The main reason that people aged 65+ do not receive a pension is because they do not meet the residential criteria for eligibility.^[2]

In March 2012, MSD released a brochure (Services for Seniors^[3]) to tell older people about their entitlements. It is available from MSD, Work and Income Service Centres, other agencies (such as libraries), and non-government organisations (NGOs).^[4]

About KiwiSaver

The KiwiSaver Act 2006 introduced a voluntary savings scheme to encourage long-term savings habits and asset accumulation to increase individuals’ well-being and financial independence, particularly in retirement. Any eligible person under the age of 65 years can enrol in KiwiSaver.^[5]

Uptake of KiwiSaver by older people

Because it is relatively new, KiwiSaver will have a greater role in increasing the assets and income of people who are currently under 60 years old than it will for people who are over 60.

Data has been published on older people’s enrolment in KiwiSaver. Inland Revenue publishes a KiwiSaver evaluation report each year. At 30 June 2012, the:

• number of people aged 60-64 enrolled in KiwiSaver was slightly higher than the estimated eligible population;^[6]
• reach of KiwiSaver into the 60-64 age group had increased each year since 2008;^[7] and
• gender distribution of KiwiSaver members had remained constant, with about 52% female and 48% male.^[8]

Data on the proportion of eligible members by income distribution in $10,000 bands was also reported.^[9] There were slightly lower proportions of KiwiSaver members in low income levels (up to $20,000) than in the eligible population.

Inland Revenue does not hold ethnicity data about KiwiSaver members. Information gained through a survey found that KiwiSaver members were broadly similar to non-members across several demographics, such as age, gender, and ethnicity. There were some statistically significant differences (see Figure 1).^[10]

MSD is responsible for improving access to entitlements, including the pension. When someone is nearing their 65th birthday, Inland Revenue sends them a letter telling the person to contact MSD (Senior Services) and make arrangements to receive their pension when they turn 65. Inland Revenue sends these letters because MSD does not have the necessary taxpayer information. Information about pension eligibility and how to apply for it is widely available in places such as libraries, on government agencies’ websites and in their offices, medical centres, and from NGOs.

Inland Revenue uses data about KiwiSaver members and non-members to understand their characteristics, saving rates, and related behaviours. It publishes annual reports as part of the KiwiSaver evaluation to summarise trends, performance data, and the results of relevant research and analysis.

These reports and the cross-government KiwiSaver evaluation work programme support policy development, the management of service delivery, and wider research and discussion about retirement income provision. For example, for those people on low salaries or wages, the 2% deduction might be affecting their standard of living if that money is required for basic essentials. It could be argued that this group of people would be better using the 2% now and relying on the pension (which could be worth more than their current income) in retirement.^[11]