MPs have passed a law to make older migrants, and New Zealanders who spent large portions of their lives overseas, wait longer to qualify for NZ Super.
Currently, NZ Super is paid to people aged 65 or over who have been “resident and present” in New Zealand for 10 years after the age of 20, with five of those years being after the age of 50.
The New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income (Fair Residency) Amendment Bill, which passed its third reading on Wednesday, will see the qualifying period rise from 10 to 20 years, with five of those after the age of 50.
The increase from 10 to 20 years would be phased in, with the transition having been delayed until 2023 after protests that older migrants were being given too little time to prepare for the changes.
