Definition of living alone

Clients are considered living alone when they are living alone in their principal place of residence. This cannot include sharing their residence with any person aged 18 years or over unless that person is a:

• dependent child who is continuing in education and not financially independent (until the start of the pay period following the date they are no longer in education, are financially independent or 31 December of the year they turn 18) or
• visitor who stays less than 13 weeks in any 26-week period

If a client has a young person under 18 living with them who is in full time employment, the client is still eligible to get the single living alone rate of New Zealand Superannuation.