Income Security
Income Security in the NZ Election 2026
Income security is a major election issue for older New Zealanders, disabled people, carers, people living with sickness and households that depend on government support to meet essential living costs.
A fair income-support system should provide security, dignity and the opportunity to participate in community life. It should recognise the real cost of disability, sickness, housing, heating, transport and healthcare rather than leaving people struggling from one payment to the next.
What Income Security Issues Matter Most?
Many older people and disabled New Zealanders live on fixed or limited incomes. Some are unable to work because of disability, chronic illness or caring responsibilities, while others may only be able to work limited hours.
Election policies should clearly explain how New Zealand Superannuation, disability benefits, housing assistance and other forms of support will remain adequate, fair and accessible as everyday costs continue to rise.
Older New Zealanders need certainty about the future of NZ Super, the eligibility age and whether payments will continue to provide a reasonable standard of living.
The Supported Living Payment and other disability-related assistance should reflect the realities faced by people who cannot work or can only work limited hours.
Support should recognise additional costs such as medical appointments, transport, equipment, power use, personal care and specialist services.
Rent, rates, mortgages and accessible housing costs can place severe pressure on people living on benefits, pensions or low incomes.
Older people and those with health conditions may need more heating, cooling or electricity to remain safe and well at home.
Support payments must keep pace with the rising cost of food, housing, power, transport, insurance and healthcare.
Family and whānau carers can face lost income, reduced employment opportunities and additional household costs.
Work and Income processes should be accessible, respectful, consistent and based on a clear understanding of disability and long-term illness.
Questions Political Parties Should Answer
Before the 2026 General Election, political parties should clearly explain how their income policies will protect older people, disabled people, carers and those unable to work because of sickness.
- Will the current NZ Superannuation eligibility age be protected?
- How will NZ Super remain affordable and adequate in the future?
- Will disability benefits keep pace with inflation and rising household costs?
- How will the Supported Living Payment be improved?
- Will the Disability Allowance better reflect the real cost of disability?
- How will accommodation support respond to high rents and housing costs?
- What heating and electricity assistance will be available to vulnerable households?
- How will family and whānau carers receive greater financial recognition?
- Will people with disabilities be able to earn additional income without losing essential support too quickly?
- How will Work and Income assessments become fairer and more accessible?
Income support should provide more than basic survival.
Older people, disabled people and those living with sickness should be able to afford healthy food, warm and secure housing, transport, healthcare and participation in their communities.
This page will be updated as political parties release policies on NZ Superannuation, benefits, disability assistance, accommodation support, heating assistance and the indexation of support payments.
Explore more information in our NZ Election 2026 Disability Issues section and read more about disability healthcare, employment and income issues .
Child Poverty and Disability
Families raising disabled children often face higher everyday costs, reduced earning opportunities and greater financial pressure. Learn more about the connection between child poverty, disability and material hardship in New Zealand.
Read About Child Poverty and Disability