Age Concern speaks on retirees just surviving on pension

Pension incomes are set at about $520 for single people and just under $800 for couples. A Massey University report released last week found that a single retiree with a no-frills lifestyle would need $196.59 per week over and above their NZ Super, dropping to to $183.54 in a metro centre. For a choices budget, with more luxuries, it cost a one-person household $234.80 in the provinces and $214.33 in the metro areas. Again that is over and above NZ super. Chief Executive of Age Concern, Karen Billings-Jensen spoke to Lisa Owen.