During Covid, we purchased health, stability and comfort and sent the invoice to children who had no vote, no voice and no choice. It is a mathematical reality that New Zealand cannot afford the current superannuation structure. Under current settings, it is projected to rise to around 8% by 2065. Universal superannuation will always mean that some individuals contribute more than they receive, while others receive more than they contribute. Preserving current superannuation settings without serious reform elsewhere places the burden on those still working and those not yet born.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 18, 2026 22:05 UTC