Participation in the community, not just survival

In 1970, New Zealand paid means-tested superannuation from the age of 60 and universal superannuation from 65. Pensioners had expressed discontent over various issues for some time.

The 1972 Royal Commission of Inquiry into Social Security first spelled out that an adequate benefit should allow people to participate in the community, not just survive. It recommended an increase in the pension, which the Government did not accept. Instead, in 1975, the Kirk Labour Government introduced a compulsory superannuation scheme for retirees, which workers and employers had to pay into.

The election of the Kirk Government had raised pensioners’ expectations. When it rejected the recommendations of the Royal Commission, their anger rose.  The Pensioners and Beneficiaries Association organised demonstrations and public meetings. Victoria University student paper Salient took up the cause in 1974, publishing articles in support.

In 1977, the National Government replaced the compulsory scheme with tax-funded National Superannuation, a universal scheme paying 80% of the average wage to everyone from the age of 60.