Most New Zealanders support expanding retirement savings, but enthusiasm weakens considerably when it comes with a higher Superannuation age. A new RNZ-Reid Research poll suggests voters distinguish clearly between compulsory saving and delaying retirement.
Report by eLocal
The latest RNZ-Reid Research poll indicates New Zealanders remain open to compulsory KiwiSaver, but that support largely disappears when it is paired with raising the eligibility age for New Zealand Superannuation.
Respondents were asked whether they supported a combined package that would make KiwiSaver compulsory while also increasing the age of Super eligibility from 65 to 67.
The results showed a clear majority opposed the combined proposal.
According to the poll:
- 52% said they opposed the combined package.
- 37.6% supported it.
- The remaining respondents were undecided or did not state a preference.
The findings suggest many voters view compulsory retirement savings and changes to the pension age as separate policy questions rather than a single reform package.
Party Support Divides
Support varied significantly depending on political affiliation.
A majority of National, ACT, and The Opportunities Party (TOP) voters supported the combined proposal, indicating stronger acceptance among centre-right and economically liberal voters.
By contrast, majorities of Labour, Green, New Zealand First, and Te Pāti Māori supporters opposed increasing the Super age as part of compulsory KiwiSaver reform.
The results illustrate the political challenge facing any future government seeking comprehensive retirement reform ahead of the election campaign.
Retirement Reform Remains Politically Sensitive
New Zealand's ageing population continues to place increasing pressure on the long-term cost of Superannuation, leading many economists to argue that changes to retirement policy will eventually become necessary.
However, the poll suggests voters remain cautious about reforms that require people to work longer before becoming eligible for the universal pension.
While compulsory KiwiSaver may attract broad public support on its own, coupling it with an increase in the retirement age appears considerably less popular.
Poll Methodology
The RNZ-Reid Research poll surveyed 1,000 New Zealanders using online interviews conducted between 2 and 9 July 2026.
Quota sampling and weighting were used to ensure a representative cross-section of respondents by age, gender and geography.
The poll has a maximum margin of error of ±3.1% at the 95% confidence level.
Source
Original reporting by RNZ.
Original article: https://www.rnz.co.nz/