Changing retirement patterns in New Zealand, 1976 and 1981

Abstract

In New Zealand, as in many developed countries, the general trend this century has been towards earlier retirernent. This trend has accelerated since the 1960s. Between 1976 and 1981 the shift to earlier retirentent was characterised by an increase in retirement at the age of 60 and a decrease in retirement at the age of 65. Female retirement pattrrns became increasingly similar to male retirement patterns. The effect of the introduction of National Superannuation on retirement patten1s is a question which is addressed in this paper.