Summarised by Centrist
The New Zealand Seniors Quality of Life Report, based on responses from 510 people aged 50 and over, found 70 percent of older New Zealanders are anxious about their financial future.
Key concerns include cost of living (68 percent), insufficient savings (59 percent), and healthcare costs (54 percent).
Almost three-quarters of those still working said they weren’t on track for a comfortable retirement. “The superannuation that we get allows people to exist,” said Grey Power president Gayle Chambers. “It’s not there for people to have the preferred lifestyle.”
Only about 40 percent of people over 65 have any income beyond New Zealand Super. “Many older New Zealanders are indeed feeling ‘battered from every angle’,” said Retirement Commissioner Jane Wrightson.
Loneliness is another key concern, with nearly half of respondents saying they feel more isolated than two years ago. According to Stephen Opie of Age Concern Wellington, “You don’t see isolated and lonely seniors in your community, but they are everywhere.”
Janet Russell, a 68-year-old homeowner, supplements her pension by hosting an international student and cutting back on food and outings. “Health care is backed by crossed fingers,” she said.
Government-funded research by Auckland University of Technology is now underway to further assess the needs of older New Zealanders and support future policy.
