Damson

Just wondering how pensioners are viewed in NZ. Is there a lot of support available? Is medical assistance readily available? Is it an inclusive society or one that views pensioners as, well, a bit of a pain really. In short, do you think that it is a good place to be retired in?

Stuck in Auckland

Google Winston peters and the grey army

Free public transport after 9.30am with a gold card (free for those over 60)

Pension is available without income testing or asset testing?

carcajou

Is this for you? If so, are you a New Zealand Citizen? If not, what visa would you be thinking to obtain?

amy23

Hello, are you planning to move there? Like permanently?

Damson

I’m not at retirement age yet but planning for the future and yes it would be permanent t if we came. I’m in the uk and a Brit. The visa would be a skilled migrant category. Cheers

simonsi

One thing is the medical system (beyond any difference in Doctors appt charges) doesn't seem to view pensioners any differently than similar patients under pension age. Under the public surgery system you can expect the same wait times etc.

Inclusive? Yes I find so - but pensioners who aren't working are by very nature a population apart in most western societies.

Stuck in Auckland

bear in mind over 70 you are limited to number of cancer treatments.

Stuck in Auckland

what is retirement age?

i semi retired at 38

simonsi

Not surprising - do you have a link to that info?

Stuck in Auckland

Uncle had two treatments for brain. Then told no more. tumour still there after 2 years. not growing or reducing. no more treatment is from Tauranga and waikato hospitals.

carcajou

Damson, what pre-existing ties do you have to New Zealand (ie, is your university degree from there, how many years of NZ experience do you have, etc)?

The most recent Skilled Migrant draws have required 160 points. For many, that is exceptionally difficult to obtain without a job offer or other very significant points-generating ties to New Zealand. An ordinary British couple of near retirement age, say 55, both with university degrees, but no substantial ties to New Zealand, would not come close to meeting the 160 point threshold for this visa.

I am guessing your spouse is not a New Zealand Citizen otherwise you would just go the partner sponsorship route.

Before you head too far down this track I would urge you to look at the various points calculators and see if this is actually a viable pathway for you.

Even with substantial ties it will be difficult. I went to the points calculator and updated the scenario above - British couple, between 50-55, with post-graduate degrees gained in New Zealand, and with the maximum amount of New Zealand work experience, and in an absolute skills shortage area, that the calculator allowed - and it was still short of 160 points.

Justcol

Oh great, its comforting to know my hard earned tax dollars
will be helping folk who turn up in later life
contribute next to nothing and then bleed the system after retirement

carcajou

Don't worry. Read my post above.

Bo-Jangles

What age of pensioners are you thinking about? I would say like anywhere else if you are in good health being retired at 65 with plenty of money in the bank to provide for yourself and swan about on holidays then yeah things will be fine; however add ten more years, throw in some poor health and no pot to piss in, then it ain't exactly going to be barrel of laughs.

I don't think the publicly available support is here in the same way that it is in the UK; most here seem to take a dim view of our ever aging population and pensioners are looked upon about as favourably as dole bludgers. You only have to look at media comments to see the bile that's spewed at 'baby boomers' etc. 'sucking on the public teat' (to coin an antipodean phrase not mine).

There's plenty of gold standard private retirement homes that are happy to relieve you of all your hard earned dosh; you would need to you have spare million bucks to pay your way in and from there you can transition through the ever more depressing and expensive levels of support and care until you die.

Damson

Thanks col. Just to reassure you, we've saved and worked like mad throughout all our lives and have enough cash not to be a drain on the state system, with health, benefits or pensions. We aren't here, and certainly wouldn't be there. I don't know why you assume we would be, given that you don't know us.