{
  "id": 4968970,
  "title": "Flexible NZ Super options could make it more affordable",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/flexible-nz-super-options-could-make-it-more-affordable",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-01T23:45:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RNZ Business",
    "slug": "rnz-business",
    "url": "https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/1225336/flexible-nz-super-options-could-make-it-more-affordable"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new report commissioned by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand highlights flexible options for receiving NZ Superannuation that could make the government scheme more affordable while preserving universal access to it. CA ANZ's New Zealand country head Peter Vial stated that nearly all their members expressed concerns about the country's ability to fund NZ Super in the future.\n\nModelled by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, the benefits of flexible NZ Super uptake were explored, allowing eligible superannuitants to delay receiving it in exchange for a higher lifetime rate. While raising the eligibility age to 67 or later does not significantly reduce costs, spreading uptake over the first five years of eligibility could lower NZ Super's long-term cost compared to current Treasury projections.\n\nIn 2048, NZ Super currently costs $26.5 billion annually, projected to rise to $72.8 billion without changes. However, if 40% of eligible people delayed uptake, annual expenditure in 2048 could be around $7.5 billion - 10.4% less than Treasury's current estimate. CA ANZ Tax and Financial Services Leader John Cuthbertson emphasized that flexible uptake should be part of a broader set of policy changes to make NZ Super more affordable.\n\nSuggested policy changes include indexing NZ Super to consumer prices, introducing stronger incentives for private retirement savings, and offering tax incentives for salary sacrifice contributions into KiwiSaver accounts. While no single change will solve the issue, a combination of flexible NZ Super uptake, sustainable indexing, and increased private savings could make a significant difference to the scheme's affordability while keeping it accessible to everyone.",
  "summary": "A recent report showed a flexible choice of when people can start receiving NZ Super could improve affordability.",
  "key_points": [
    "Flexible NZ Super uptake could reduce long-term costs",
    "Delaying benefits by 40% in 2048 could lower expenditure by 10.4%",
    "Policy changes like indexing and private savings could enhance affordability"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}