MPs have passed a law to make older migrants, and New Zealanders who spent large portions of their lives overseas, wait longer to qualify for NZ Super.

Currently, NZ Super is paid to people aged 65 ​or over who have been “resident and present” in New Zealand for 10 ​years after the age of 20​, with five of those years being after the age of 50​.

The New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income (Fair Residency) Amendment Bill, which passed its third reading on Wednesday, will see the qualifying period rise from 10 to 20 years​, with five of those after the age of 50.

The increase from 10 to 20 years would be phased in, with the transition having been delayed until 2023​ after protests that older migrants were being given too little time to prepare for the changes.

National’s Shadow Treasurer Andrew Bayly​ steered the bill through Parliament, after taking it over when Mark Patterson, the MP who introduced it, lost his seat.

Both Labour and Act MPs backed the law change, Bayly said.

Though debates in Parliament have discussed migrants and immigrants, the new law covers all residents, including born New Zealanders, so those who spend large periods of their lives working overseas, could find themselves having to wait longer to qualify for NZ Super on their return.

Under the phased lifting of the qualifying period, for every two complete years a person was born after July 1, 1959, they will need one additional year of residence to qualify for NZ Super.

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Someone born between July 1, 1965 and June 30, 1967, for example, would have to complete 14 ​years residency before they qualified for NZ Super.

Anyone born on or after July 1, 1977​ would be subject to the full 20-year residence requirement to qualify.

“This bill presents a small but necessary change to how long it takes for an immigrant to become eligible for Superannuation in New Zealand, shifting from a globally low 10 years, up to 20 years,” Bayly said.

“The change will happen over a smooth transition period, with the time requirement increasing gradually over the course of 10 years,” he said.

“The majority of immigrants who are already residents will not be affected by these changes. Those who are, will have plenty of time to prepare,” he said.

“We have made carve-outs for refugees, who may not choose when they come into the country, and also allowed time worked in the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau to count towards the requirement.”

He said NZ Super was the largest single cost to the taxpayer, and the cost was rising every year.

“We hope that these changes make the system fairer, while not causing any financial stress to those who have already prepared for their retirement,” Bayly said.

Qualifying periods for NZ Super

The number of years someone needs to be in New Zealand (including 5 years after the age of 50) before they qualify for NZ Super will depend on the date of their birth.

People born on or before 30 June 1959: 10 years

July 1, 1959-June 30,1961: 11 years

July 1, 1961-June 30,1963: 12 years

July 1, 1963-June 30,1965: 13 years

July 1, 1965-June 30,1967: 14 years

July 1, 1967-June 30,1969: 15 years

July 1, 1969-June 30,1971: 16 years

July 1, 1971-June 30,1973: 17 years

July 1, 1973-June 30,1975: 18 years

July 1, 1975-June 30,1977: 19 years

On or after 1 July 1977: 20 years