More NZ'ers staying in workforce after superannuation age

By NZPA

Tuesday 9th October 2007

A growing number of people are staying in the labour force beyond the age at which they are entitled to superannuation, Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) says.

The information is included in a newly released report, New Zealand's 65+ Population: a statistical volume, which brings together a range of statistics on those aged 65 years and over.

Of men aged 65 to 69, 43% were in fulltime or part-time employment at the 2006 Census, SNZ said today.

A fifth of men aged 70 to 74 years were also in work, as were more than a quarter of women aged 65 to 69.

New Zealanders are also living longer.

Between 1950-1952 and 2004-2006, the proportion of New Zealand men living to age 65 increased from 68% to 86%, SNZ said.

Among women, about 90% were now likely to live to 65 years, and about half to 85.

Population ageing was more pronounced in the South Island than in the North Island, SNZ said.

In 2006, the 65+ group made up more than 20% of all residents in four areas, compared with 12% nationally.

They were Thames Coromandel, Kapiti Coast, Horowhenua and Waitaki.

The new publication brought together key information on the contemporary and future changes in the size and structure of those aged 65 and over, SNZ said.

That data included housing, mobility patterns, health and disability, regional spread, ethnic diversity, marital composition, religious affiliation, as well as paid and unpaid activities.

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