New Zealand: financing retirement: lessons from the New Zealand Way on necessary reforms

Abstract

In at least some respects, the pensions "problem" is a reflection of a country's profile and history. To set this paper in perspective, Table 1 shows New Zealand at a glance. It both explains New Zealand and summarises what this paper defines as the "New Zealand Way" (definitions on page 3). [insurt Table 1] In summary, New Zealand is relatively young (for a developed country); the cost to taxpayers of pensions (both public and private) is relatively low and, although that cost is expected to about double in the next 45 years, is less than what many developed countries pay now in total (including the cost of tax incentives for private provision). New Zealanders are at present neither forced, nor encouraged through tax incentives, to save privately for retirement.