Thousands of retired New Zealanders rely on their fortnightly NZ Superannuation payments to manage daily expenses. But if your pension didn’t arrive as expected in May 2025, you’re not alone. Reports of nz super payments paused or delayed this month have raised concern, especially among seniors facing rising living costs.
While most payments continue as scheduled, there are real and confirmed instances of delays or suspensions tied to administrative, banking, and eligibility issues. This article outlines the top 5 reasons why you might not get paid in May 2025, and explains what to do if your NZ Super hasn’t arrived.
1. Your Tax Code or Bank Account Details Have Changed
One of the most common reasons for NZ Super delays is incorrect or outdated information in your Inland Revenue (IRD) or Work and Income profile.
If your:
Tax code has changed (e.g. moving from “M” to “S” or “SH”)
Bank account was recently closed or switched
IRD number is mismatched with MSD records
Then your payment may be automatically paused or rejected.
What to do:
Log in to MyMSD and confirm your payment account
Visit MyIR to check your tax code
Call MSD at 0800 552 002 to update your records
MSD will reprocess payments once your banking or tax code issues are resolved.
2. You Missed a Residency or Eligibility Reconfirmation
To remain eligible for superannuation nz 2025, you must still meet residency and citizenship requirements. Occasionally, MSD conducts reviews—especially for:
Individuals with overseas pensions
Those who frequently travel abroad or have dual residency
Recipients flagged for missing proof of address
If you failed to return verification documents or didn’t confirm your residency by a May deadline, your NZ Super may be paused.
What to do:
Check mail or email for missed MSD letters
Submit requested documents via MyMSD
Contact MSD’s Overseas Pensions Unit if you receive foreign income
3. You Recently Reached Age 65 but Your Application Is Incomplete
If you turned 65 years old recently and haven’t completed your application in full, you won’t receive Super until it’s approved.
Common errors include:
Missing bank statements
Incomplete address history
No declaration of overseas pensions
Late application submission (processing takes 10–15 working days)
What to do:
Go to MyMSD and check your application status
Upload missing documents directly to your account
Visit a local Work and Income office to get help from a case manager
Once approved, you’ll receive your full backdated payment from the day you qualified.
4. MSD Couldn’t Process Payment Due to Public Holidays or System Updates
While not technically a “pause,” some pension payments may be delayed due to public holidays or weekend processing lags.
In May 2025, some banks observed regional public holidays, which may have caused:
Payment processing delays by 24–48 hours
Slower cheque deliveries via post
Late updates in your MyMSD account
What to do:
Wait until 5 PM on your usual payday before reporting a missing payment
Check if your bank or region had a public holiday
Look at the NZ Superannuation payment schedule on the MSD website for adjusted dates
5. You Are Receiving a Foreign Pension That Was Not Declared
If you’re receiving another country’s pension (e.g. UK, Australia, Canada), and did not properly declare it, your NZ Super payment may be suspended pending investigation.
The Ministry of Social Development cross-checks pension income with international data-sharing agencies, and if undeclared income is found, they will pause or adjust your NZ Super until the matter is resolved.
What to do:
Submit your overseas pension declaration using the MSD form
Respond immediately to any letters from the International Services team
Cooperate fully to resume payments and avoid repayment penalties
FAQs
Why didn’t I get my NZ Super payment in May 2025?
You may have an outdated tax code, an incomplete application, or a residency review in progress. Payments can also be paused due to public holidays or bank changes.
How do I check my NZ Super status?
Log in to your MyMSD account or call 0800 552 002. You’ll see the status of your next scheduled payment, past deposits, and any alerts on your account.
Can my payment be backdated?
Yes. Once your issue is resolved, MSD can backdate your payment from the date your eligibility started or when it was paused.
Will I be notified if my payment is paused?
In most cases, yes. MSD will send a letter or email explaining the reason and next steps. However, delays in communication can occur.
What if I moved overseas recently?
If you’re living abroad without meeting NZ Super portability rules, your payments can be suspended. You must report any change of residency to avoid overpayment or fraud issues.
Click here to know more.