Social Security Act

In 1938, New Zealand enacted its Social Security Act, establishing a universal, non-means-tested pension for individuals aged 65 and older. This system was financed partly through a dedicated social security tax on income and required only a test of residence for eligibility. This approach differed from many other countries that relied on social insurance schemes or income testing. The act was part of a broader global trend toward expanding social security measures during the interwar period, influenced by concerns about poverty and economic security, particularly in the wake of the Great Depression.12