Kia ora koutou and welcome to our final update for the year.
This quarter has been packed with milestones: launch of the 2025 Review of Retirement Income Policies, long-awaited reforms to the Retirement Villages Act, new maths resources for schools, and a special win for our Sorted Retirement Navigator.
Thank you to everyone who joined the Connection Series event for the 2025 Review of Retirement Income Policies in November. New Zealand’s demographic and social landscape is changing. More than ever, we need cross-party consensus to provide certainty for future generations and avoid piecemeal policy change.
The triennial review examines how our retirement income policies are performing and where adjustments may be needed. I have made 12 recommendations to the Government, including targeted policy reforms to address the most pressing gaps, particularly those affecting groups who have historically missed out or faced barriers to participation.
In other news, the Ministry of Education released the new maths Year 0-10 curriculum. It is fantastic to see financial education in there – this will give children the opportunity to build key money skills that will support them throughout their lives. We have developed new Sorted in Schools maths resources aligned to the curriculum to support teachers introducing financial education to Year 9 and 10 students.
We were delighted to win the ‘Best Digital Tool’ award for the Sorted Retirement Navigator at the Plain Language Awards in October. This tool simplifies a notoriously tricky task, planning the drawdown of life savings over a long and often unpredictable period of time. The Retirement Income Interest Group (RIIG) of the New Zealand Society of Actuaries and digital agency Toast were key partners in this tool’s development and have been critical to its success.
You may have also seen my news that I will be concluding my second term as Retirement Commissioner in early 2026 and will not be seeking reappointment. It has been a privilege to hold this position, and I'm so grateful for the sector partners and stakeholders that have helped us to improve the financial futures of New Zealanders over the last six years.
I look forward to seeing the impact you will all continue to make together in years to come.
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas season.
Jane Wrightson, Mana Ahungarua/Retirement Commissioner
Catch up on the latest National Strategy Connection Series events
Women, work and retirement 
Roadmap to a better retirement: launch of the 2025 Review 
Recent research
2025 Review of Retirement Income Policies calls for cross-party action
The 2025 Review of Retirement Income Policies was launched in November, calling for cross-party action on the retirement income system – laying out a practical plan for what to do now while preparing for the challenges ahead.
The 2025 review draws on a substantial body of research, including 15 reports and a special edition of Policy Quarterly, and reflects the voices of older New Zealanders, the insights of experts and the values that underpin the retirement income system.
A launch event was held in Auckland on Friday 14 November, with a welcome from Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Scott Simpson and a panel including Antonia Watson (Chief Executive, ANZ), Ana-Marie Lockyer (Chief Executive, Pie Funds), Sarah Baddeley (Partner, MartinJenkins) and the Retirement Commissioner.
New report reveals why women retire with less – and how to fix it
We also released new analysis in September revealing the gender retirement savings gap cannot be attributed to a single cause but emerges from cumulative disadvantages across women’s lifetimes.
The comprehensive report, compiled by MartinJenkins to support the Retirement Commission’s 2025 Review of Retirement Income Policies, delves into how key events and moments contribute to poorer retirement outcomes for women and what can be done to address it.
Looking back on the quarter
Retirement Villages Legislative Review update
We welcomed the Government’s decision to progress long-awaited reforms to the Retirement Villages Act 2003, following five years of sector review, public consultation, and advocacy for improved protections for residents.
A broad package of reforms is proposed, addressing three priority areas for residents: moving-in, living-in and moving-out phases at retirement villages.
New Sorted in Schools maths resources for Year 9 and 10
With financial education now mandated in the mathematics and statistics curriculum for 2026, Sorted in Schools has released brand-new resources for teachers. They are designed to make financial education easy and engaging and are explicitly aligned to the New Zealand Curriculum.
Sorted Retirement Navigator tool wins Plain Language Award
We’re delighted that the Sorted Retirement Navigator has won the ‘Best Digital Tool’ award in the 2025 Plain Language Awards.
This recognition reflects Sorted’s dedication to making money matters easier to understand for New Zealanders. Plain language is at the core of Sorted.org.nz — it’s how we make financial topics easier to understand and more accessible for everyone in Aotearoa. We are grateful to the Retirement Income Interest Group (RIIG) of the New Zealand Society of Actuaries and digital agency Toast, who played a critical role in the complex challenge that was designing this tool.
Retirement Commissioner stepping down in 2026
New Zealand’s Retirement Commissioner Jane Wrightson has advised the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs that she will conclude her second term in early 2026 and not seek reappointment.
Retirement Commissioner Jane Wrightson says she’s proud of what’s been achieved during her time in the role. “It’s been a privilege to hold this position, and I’d like to thank my team, the Ministers I’ve worked with, and our sector partners and stakeholders that help us to improve the financial futures of New Zealanders so a better retirement can be enjoyed by all.”
What’s coming up
Impact that Matters: National Strategy for Financial Capability Conference
New programme details have been released for the 2026 National Strategy for Financial Capability Conference – Impact that Matters.
The conference offers a chance to connect with the full breadth of the sector, including iwi, community organisations, government agencies, banks, fintechs and insurance companies, along with financial advisers, financial mentors and debt solution providers.
Inspiring global tech and innovation leader Dr Michelle Dickinson will join us as keynote speaker, challenging us to harness digital tools responsibly to empower our communities and lift financial wellbeing.
Dates for your calendar
Christmas closure period for Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission
22 December 2025 – 4 January 2026
National Strategy for Financial Capability Conference - Auckland
26-27 May 2026