Super Entitlement Changes Welcomed

The National Council of Women of New Zealand (NCWNZ) welcomes the Government's policy change, effective from 1 July that will see a superannuitant, whose partner is in long-term residential care, qualify for the higher single, living alone rate of payment instead of half the married rate.

"Making ends meet during retirement can be a struggle. This, coupled with the stress of a loved one going into care, can impact greatly on the psychological wellbeing of the person left at home," said Christine Low, NCWNZ National President. "NCWNZ is fully supportive of the Government's actions to support the people in this situation; a number that is undoubtedly set to increase in the future."

NCWNZ established policy specifically on this issue at its National Executive meeting in Nelson in October 2005. Policy supporting single entitlement was established earlier in 1991. The policy passed by the Council in 2005 was:

“That NCWNZ supports the principle that any national superannuitant with a partner in residential care will be eligible for national superannuation at the single person rate.”

In its submission to the Social Services Select Committee on the New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Amendment Bill, NCWNZ responded favourably to the Bill’s recognition of the impact on people’s social well-being.

"We see the enactment of this Bill as complementary to the ‘Ageing-in-Place’ strategy. By allowing a single-rate ‘super’ payment for the spouse at home there is the potential to reduce the stress caused by the fear of not being able to maintain living standards," concluded Christine Low.

ENDS

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