What day is NZ Super paid?

Every second Tuesday, straight into your bank account. MyMSD shows your next payment date and amount.

Are benefits paid early at Christmas 2026?

Yes, if your payment falls on a public holiday. The holidays are Friday 25 December, Monday 28 December, Friday 1 January and Monday 4 January. Payments due on those days are paid before the holiday: check MyMSD for your dates.

How much is the Winter Energy Payment?

$20.46 a week if you’re single with no dependent children, or $31.82 a week if you have a partner or dependent children. It’s paid from 1 May to 1 October.

Do I need to apply for the Winter Energy Payment?

No. It’s paid automatically with NZ Super, the Veteran’s Pension and most main benefits. You can tell Work and Income if you don’t want it.

Yes. Tax is taken from each payment using the tax code you give Work and Income: M if NZ Super is your main income, or a secondary code if you also have a job that’s your main income.

NZ Super and benefit payment dates and Winter Energy Payment

When payments are made

Payment	How often
NZ Super and the Veteran’s Pension	Every second Tuesday
Main benefits, such as Jobseeker Support, Sole Parent Support and Supported Living Payment	Weekly
Winter Energy Payment	With your main payment, from 1 May to 1 October

Payments go straight into your bank account. MyMSD, Work and Income’s website and app, shows your next payment date and how much it will be. It’s the best place to check, because payment days can differ from person to person.

Christmas and New Year 2026–27

The public holidays are Friday 25 December, Monday 28 December (Boxing Day observed), Friday 1 January and Monday 4 January (the day after New Year’s Day, observed). Payments due on those days are paid early, usually on a working day before the holiday.

Working days over Christmas and New Year 2026–27 Public holidays are shaded. Payments due on them are paid early.

Fri 25 Dec: Christmas Day
Mon 28 Dec: Boxing Day (observed)
Fri 1 Jan: New Year’s Day
Mon 4 Jan: Day after New Year’s Day (observed)

Your own payment dates are in MyMSD. Payments that come early don’t change when the next one is due.

An early payment doesn’t change when the next one is due. So the money from a payment made before Christmas has to last longer than usual.

Winter Energy Payment

Paid automatically with NZ Super, the Veteran’s Pension and most main benefits, from 1 May to 1 October each year:

You are	A week
Single, with no dependent children	$20.46
A couple, or have dependent children	$31.82

You don’t need to apply. You can choose not to get it if you don’t need it.

Tax on NZ Super

NZ Super is taxable income. Work and Income takes tax from each payment using the tax code you give them:

M if NZ Super is your main income.
A secondary code, such as S, if you also work and your job is your main income. See NZ tax codes explained.

NZ Super isn’t reduced by what you earn from work or have in savings, so you can keep working and still get it.

Planning your money

Make a holiday budget. Write down when each payment arrives and what has to come out of it before the next one. The budget calculator helps.
Pay big bills first. Rent, power and food come before presents.
Get help early. MoneyTalks (0800 345 123) is free and can connect you with a financial mentor. Work and Income may help with essential costs, or an advance on your benefit, if you qualify.

Planning for retirement? Try the savings calculator to see how long your KiwiSaver could last on top of NZ Super.