Older women

What actions will your Party take to ensure older women are empowered and have access to the support and services they require, including in the workforce, retirement, and aged care?

ACT

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Greens

We’ll implement a dedicated long-term strategy for the needs of an ageing population. This would include ensuring income equitably and the establishment of a state owned, not for profit retirement village scheme. This is alongside an increase in funding for community spaces and establishment of facilities, programmes, education and volunteering opportunities that are accessible to seniors.

 

Labour

Labour is committed to keeping the age of Superannuation at 65. Beyond that, we have always been open to constructive, bipartisan work to better secure New Zealanders’ retirement incomes.

Additionally, Labour has a a member’s bill in the ballot in the name of Ingrid Leary that will ensure a fairer repayment time for residents when they leave a village. It proposes 10 per cent repayment in five working days and the balance within three months.

Retirement villages offer a valuable service, but seniors deserve the fair, timely return of money that is rightfully theirs. Under the current system, residents carry the financial risk for operators.

Labour’s proposal ensures seniors and their families aren’t left waiting indefinitely for funds needed for care costs or settling estates. 


National

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NZ First

New Zealand First supports the dignity, independence and security of older New Zealanders. We will focus on accessible health services, retirement security, employment opportunities and practical support for those requiring aged care. Assistance should be based on genuine need, protect the dignity of older people and support older women to participate in the workforce and community where they wish to do so.

 

Opportunity

Opportunity recognises that older women face economic disadvantages as a result of lower lifetime earnings, periods of part-time work and career interruptions associated with caring responsibilities, as well as the historical undervaluation of women's work.

Opportunity will support older women's economic independence and financial security by:

  • Restoring the Equal Pay Amendment Act 2020, providing a meaningful pathway to address the historical undervaluation of women's work.
  • Supporting lifelong and flexible learning, retraining and pathways for women who wish to return to employment or change careers.
  • Reducing financial barriers to employment through the Tax Reset and proposed Citizen's Income, while recognising the contribution of unpaid parenting and caring.
  • Establishing KiwiSaver 2.0, with compulsory contributions eventually reaching 12% of gross earnings, to strengthen retirement security.
  • Supporting a retirement system that provides dignity and security for all New Zealanders. 


Te Pāti Māori

Te Pāti Māori will ensure that older women continue have access to superannuation by maintaining the current eligibility age for all and lowering the superannuation age for Māori. We will ensure that older women have access to the appropriate support and service they require if they choose to work, and we will implement the recommendations of the Ministerial Advisory Group’s report on Aged Care in New Zealand.