Accommodation Supplement - examples
Example 1 - Client is getting New Zealand Superannuation, Veteran’s Pension or a main benefit
Alberto is a single person aged 65 years. They live alone and pay rent of $225.00 (Area 1). They get an overseas pension of $650.00 (NZ$) gross per week.
Alberto meets all the qualifications for New Zealand Superannuation but their overseas pension is more than the New Zealand Superannuation rate payable.
New Zealand Superannuation - single living alone rate (at 1 April 2026) | $647.37 gross | |
Accommodation Supplement - calculated as follows: | $62.20 | |
Rent | $225.00 | |
Less: New Zealand Superannuation - single living alone entry threshold (at 1 April 2026) | $139.00 | |
Equals | $86.00 | |
Accommodation Supplement (multiplied by 0.70 and rounded up) | $61.00 | |
Total New Zealand benefit (New Zealand Superannuation plus Accommodation Supplement) | $708.37 | |
Less overseas pension | $650.00 | |
Accommodation Supplement payable | $58.37 | |
Example 2 – Client is not getting New Zealand Superannuation, Veteran’s Pension or a main benefit
Anna is aged 55 years. She lives in her own home and has accommodation costs (mortgage) of $184.44 per week. (Area 1).
She gets wages of $750.00 gross per week plus an overseas pension of $14.61 (NZ$) gross per week.
Anna does not currently qualify for New Zealand Superannuation, Veteran's Pension, or a main benefit. She is assessed as a non-beneficiary.
Assessment of Accommodation Supplement for a non-beneficiary | |
Accommodation costs Less entry threshold - non-beneficiary (at 1 April 2026) Equals Accommodation Supplement before income reduction (multiplied by 0.70 cents) | $184.44 $112.00 $72.44 $50.70 |
Calculating Accommodation Supplement reduction due to income | |
Client's income before tax Less: income threshold - non-beneficiary (at 1 April 2026) Equals Reduction due to income for Accommodation Supplement | $750.00 $693.00 $57.00 $14.25 |
Full rate of Accommodation Supplement Less reduction due to income Equals | $50.70 $14.25 $36.45 |
Equals (rounded up) | $37.00 |
Less overseas pension | $14.61 |
Accommodation Supplement payable | $22.39 |
