Working past 65 in NZ: NZ Super, tax codes and KiwiSaver

You can work and keep your full NZ Super: it is not income-tested or asset-tested for you. What changes is tax. Super usually keeps code M with Work and Income, and your job takes a secondary code (SB, S, SH, ST or SA) chosen from your total income, Super included. In 2026/27 a single person living alone gets $1,294.74 a fortnight before tax, so a job paying $250 a week would normally go on code S and leave you $201.88 a week from that job.

Working does not reduce your own NZ Super

Work and Income says "You can work while you get NZ Super" and that it "doesn't depend on your income or your assets" (New Zealand Superannuation). The qualifying age is 65. If you turned 65 on or after 1 July 2024, newer residence criteria apply, so check your own eligibility with Work and Income.

Earning wages will not cut your own Super, but income can still matter in three places:

• Other payments. Extra help such as the Accommodation Supplement can be affected by your other income.
• Partner-included payments. If your Super includes your partner, it is affected by income.
• Overseas pensions. An overseas pension can reduce NZ Super.

Super is taxable income. "Income-tested benefits, Student Allowance and New Zealand superannuation (NZ Super) are taxable income" (IRD). Work and Income deducts the tax before paying you.

NZ Super rates from 1 April 2026

These are Work and Income's published fortnightly rates for each person from 1 April 2026 (Benefit rates at 1 April 2026):

Weekly amounts are half these figures. Over a full year, the single living alone rate is $33,663.24 before tax.

No ACC earners' levy comes off Super. IRD says these payments "are not liable for the ACC earners' levy, so it will not be deducted from your payments." The levy only applies to your wages, at 1.75% in 2026/27, whatever your age.

Which tax code goes where

You fill in two separate IR330 forms. The one for Super goes to Work and Income, not your employer: "If you receive a main benefit or NZ superannuation, give this form to Work and Income." The one for your job goes to your employer.

• Super is your main income: M on Super ("If you only get NZ Super, your tax code will probably be 'M'", says Work and Income), and a secondary code on the job.
• The job pays more than Super: you can reverse it, with M on the job and a secondary code on Super. Work and Income's guidance is that "A secondary or 'S' tax code should be used" when Super is not your highest or only income.
• Only one source can use M. M on both under-deducts, because each payer gives you the low tax brackets, and usually ends in a tax bill.
• No ME. The IR330 says anyone receiving NZ Superannuation "must use tax code M or M SL if you have a student loan. You cannot use ME or ME SL."

Choose the secondary code from your total income for the tax year, Super plus wages:

Because Super alone is $33,663 a year for a single person living alone, SB is almost never right on a job. S is the usual code, and a bigger job can push you into SH. See the secondary tax guide.

Worked example: a part-time job on top of Super

Margaret is 67, single and living alone, on NZ Super of $1,294.74 a fortnight ($33,663 a year). She takes a part-time job paying $250 a week ($13,000 a year). Her total income is $46,663, which is in the $15,601 to $53,500 band, so her job uses S. Super stays on M. She is not in KiwiSaver.

S fits here because every dollar of her job income falls in the 17.5% band.

A bigger job. If the job paid $500 a week ($26,000), her total would be $59,663, so the correct standard code is SH. On SH, PAYE on $500 is $158.75 and the job leaves $341.25. On S it would be $96.25, leaving $403.75. Neither is exact: only $6,163 of her income is above $53,500, so SH takes 30% plus levy on income that is really taxed at 17.5%, while S would take too little on the top slice and leave a bill. This is the situation a tailored tax code is for: see two jobs and tailored tax codes, or test codes in the secondary tax calculator.

Couples: each person has their own code

Tax codes are personal. If you and your partner both qualify for NZ Super, each of you gets $984.28 a fortnight before tax in 2026/27, which is $25,591.28 a year, and each of you chooses your own codes. Your partner's income does not change your code.

Example. Hemi is 66, part of a couple where both qualify. His Super is $984.28 a fortnight, $854.08 after tax at M (Work and Income's published figure). He works part time for $250 a week ($13,000 a year), so his total is about $38,591. That is in the $15,601 to $53,500 band, so his job uses S.

The exception is Super paid at a rate that includes a partner who does not qualify. That partner-included payment is affected by income, so talk to Work and Income before you start the job.

KiwiSaver after 65

Your employer no longer has to contribute. The IRD payroll specification for 2026/27 says: "Employers are not required to make CECs on behalf of employees under 16 or over 65." Compulsory employer contributions stop once you are eligible for NZ Super. Your employer can still choose to pay, and must if your employment agreement or another agreement requires it (IRD, Employer contributions).

Your own deductions carry on if you are a member and have not stopped them. On Margaret's $250 week at the 2026/27 default of 3.5%, that would be $8.75, leaving $193.13. To stop deductions, give your employer a KS51 non-deduction notice.

Joining at 65 or over. You can opt in through your employer (form KS2) or sign up with a provider. You will not be automatically enrolled. The KS4 employer guide says: "They are not subject to automatic enrolment, and you are not required to make compulsory employer contributions for a newly enrolled employee 65 and over."

If you are negotiating a new role, ask whether your employer will keep contributing. It is worth 3.5% of your gross pay on top of wages.

Student loans, and a checklist for starting work

Student loans. We found no age exemption in IRD's material. If you still owe, your job uses an SL code. When Super is your main income the job is secondary, so 12% comes off every dollar of wages. On Margaret's $250 a week that would be another $30.00. Super counts as a "job" for the special deduction rate, so if your main income is under the $24,128 threshold (2026/27) you can apply for a lower rate.

Before your first payday:

1. Add up your yearly Super and your expected wages for the tax year to 31 March 2027.
2. Pick the secondary code for that total and give the IR330 to your employer.
3. Leave Super on M with Work and Income, unless the job will pay more than Super.
4. Tell Work and Income about your job if you get any income-tested extra help or partner-included Super.
5. Decide about KiwiSaver: keep contributing, or give a KS51.
6. Check your first payslip shows the right code and no ME.

Questions people ask

Will my NZ Super go down if I work?

Not your own entitlement. NZ Super does not depend on your income or assets. Income can affect partner-included payments and extra help such as the Accommodation Supplement, and an overseas pension can reduce NZ Super.

Do I give my employer my NZ Super tax code?

No. The IR330 for your Super goes to Work and Income. Your employer gets a separate IR330 for the job, normally with a secondary code.

Can I use ME on my job while getting NZ Super?

No. The IR330 says anyone receiving NZ Superannuation must use M or M SL and cannot use ME or ME SL.

Does my employer have to keep paying KiwiSaver after I turn 65?

No. Compulsory employer contributions stop at 65 unless your employment agreement requires them. Your own deductions continue while you are a contributing member, unless you give a KS51.

Is ACC levy taken off my Super?

No. NZ Super is not liable for the ACC earners' levy. It comes off your wages only, at 1.75% in 2026/27.