Aotearoa New Zealand in 2050: Preparing our retirement income policy for the future

This report explores how our retirement income policy may need to adapt over the next 25 years. It was commissioned by Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement as background to the 2025 Review of Retirement Income Policies. 

In it, we outline key demographic and fiscal trends shaping Aotearoa New Zealand’s future. While there are some aspects – like population ageing – that we can be fairly confident about, others are more uncertain. Our retirement income policy system will play a critical role in shaping our future.

As the number of older people grows, rising healthcare and pension costs will put pressure on New Zealand’s retirement income system.

Future governments will face important choices. They could accommodate these rising costs by raising taxes, reducing public services, or accumulating debt. Alternatively, they could change the system to reduce the pressures created by demographic change.

More on the 2025 Review of Retirement Income Policies can be found here.