On turning 65, after several decades of working and paying taxes in New Zealand, Ruth applied for New Zealand Superannuation only to be informed that she was ineligible to receive the state pension.

Ruth was denied her right to NZ Super on the grounds that she was married to an American with a retirement income from the US.  As Ruth points out, “In the eyes of New Zealand law, I married the wrong man.”

Ruth is one of several hundred New Zealanders denied NZ Super on the basis of choosing the wrong partner.

Because she is married to Bill, an American receiving retirement income from the United States greater than the amount of NZ Super paid to married couples, New Zealand determines that the US - not New Zealand - is responsible for providing Ruth’s retirement income.

Ralph has lived and worked all his life in Napier.  He is married to Ingaborg, a former citizen of Norway.  The New Zealand government has denied Ralph his right to NZ Super and determined that Norway - not New Zealand - is responsible for providing his retirement income.

Justin has worked almost his entire adult life in Christchurch, living in a permanent relationship with Hans, originally from Germany.  With the passing of the Civil Union Bill, the New Zealand government now refuses to pay Justin any form of NZ Super, determining that the Federal Republic of Germany is henceforth responsible for providing Justin’s retirement income.

Imagine the consequences for New Zealand if the US, Norway and Germany (or any country for that matter) opted to turn the tables and introduce legislation denying state pensions to any of their citizens choosing a New Zealander as a partner - insisting that the NZ Government must now provide their retirement income.

Of course, no other country has reacted in this manner.  International protocols and treaties protecting people’s pension rights are honored by countries around the world (that is, with the exception of New Zealand).  However the US, Norway, Germany and a host of countries with high pension rates have objected to any form of social security arrangements with New Zealand.  In consequence (as the 2004 Report points out) the financial loss to New Zealand has been considerable.

The United States has taken it a step further.  US Social Security payments are sent out to people who have contributed to the US program regardless of where they are living in retirement.  However, the US has blacklisted New Zealand along with “rogue” states (North Korea, Iran, Libya), refusing to pay US Social Security pensions, worth millions of dollars, to eligible NZ citizens when they leave the US.  For 12 years Ruth had paid into the US Social Security program, only to lose her investment for this very reason.  Eligible for both US Social Security and NZ Super, Ruth is denied both - a double whammy.

New Zealand's retirement policies have contributed to a marked decline in the number of skilled professionals wanting to immigrate to New Zealand.

The policies have also acted as a deterrent to encouraging overseas New Zealanders to return home.

An article in the North Shore Times (“Price of Love Costly”, May 18, 2006) reaffirmed the high price many New Zealanders face in their so-called Golden Years.

Roger, a 76 year-old pensioner living on Auckland’s North Shore, was recovering from a difficult and painful quadruple bypass.  His wife Helga had given up her employment to take better care of her husband.  Helga turned 65 in August 2006 and became eligible for NZ Super.

The couple had just learned that not only was Helga to be denied NZ Super, but also Roger’s fortnightly payments were to be reduced by more than 25%.  The reason: the moment Helga turned 65 she became eligible to draw on a pension fund that she had paid into in her native Germany.  Whether she likes it or not, Helga is forced to apply for the German pension so that the Ministry of Social Development can not only refuse her any form of NZ Super, but also reduce the amount of her husband’s pension.

On Elder Abuse Awareness Day in June 2006, Helga joined a smattering of elderly persons gathered outside various WINZ offices asking passers-by to sign the petition form calling for an end to pension abuse.

Inside the Service Centres, the petitioners discovered a WINZ-promoted pamphlet It's YOUR Money and a factsheet Be Alert to Financial Abuse - ironic, given that the experience of at least one in eight elderly New Zealanders is that, as Roger and Helga had just discovered, elder abuse begins at WINZ.

It is difficult to feel any sense of pride in a nation that embraces policies designed to take advantage of vulnerable people.

Under the pretense of being protective of our most vulnerable, in its first six years in office the present government took in excess of one billion dollars away from the elderly.  There can be no respect for a government incapable of recognizing that taking money away from old people is wrong.

Thousands of people came to this island nation in the promise of a better life only to realize nothing but bitterness and disillusionment at the betrayal of their expectations.  Many people deeply regret that they ever migrated to New Zealand.  Many New Zealanders, having come home after years of living abroad, wish they had never returned.