New Zealand's Pension Problem Is Bigger Than You Think
From Talking Property Development with John Kenel by John Kenel
June 4, 2026 · 14 min · Episode 53
About this episode
The episode discusses the impending crisis in New Zealand's pension system and the need for better financial planning.
New Zealand's pension system is heading for a cliff. In 1965, seven working-age people supported every retiree. Today it's four workers per retiree. By 2065, it'll be two workers supporting every person over 65. The system was built for a different country with a younger population. Now we're trying to run the same pension promise with half the workforce to pay for it. The usual answer is 'just lift the retirement age.' But that hits people with physical jobs hardest - tradies, builders, roofers can't work until 67 like office workers can. Australia saw this coming and acted early. They made super compulsory at 12% contributions. Average Australian retirement balance: $420,000. Average Kiwi: $69,000. We did it at half speed. The real problem? This was never about pensions - it's about whether people own enough of their future to make their own choices. The pension shouldn't be your whole plan, it should be your backup plan. Get finance for your property development with Squirrel: https://funding.tpdc.nz/ Sign up to my FREE weekly newsletter to improve your finances: https://newsletter.thepropertydevelopmentclub.com/yt Free guide to wills, trusts & passing down your wealth…
People in this episode
Host: John Kenel
Topics covered
- pension system
- retirement age
- financial planning
- property development
- New Zealand economy
Keywords
- pension problem
- retirement age
- New Zealand pensions
- financial choices
- property development
Sponsors
Squirrel
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: The Property Development Club
Places: New Zealand, Australia
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