Many elderly Kiwis struggle to make ends meet, report finds

New Zealand's elderly population is varied in its aspirations and outlooks but many find life a struggle, according to a report prepared for marketing companies.

A quarter of them are "Kiwi battlers" struggling to make ends meet on an average income of just $18,300, while a fifth are "affluent investors" who can afford to go out to the movies on their average $29,400 incomes.

In between are inactive, meat-eating "traditionalists", the health-conscious "active and aware" and a group the pollsters could only describe as "paradoxical pensioners" - who like the good things in life but can't really afford them.

"They aim for a low-fat diet but eat what they like, they constantly worry about their weight but don't feel stressed, they care for the environment though think threats are overstated," the report said. "They also read junk mail."

The Nielsen survey of almost 3000 people aged 65 and over has found that just over half (54 per cent) can afford to save at least a little every month, with a third able to buy "those extras that make life worthwhile".

But a sizeable minority (46 per cent) are not saving apart from paying off mortgages and almost one in 10 say: "I never seem to have any spare money these days, in fact I seem to be going backwards".

The survey was done for the Hope Foundation for Research on Ageing. Chairman David Richmond said it dispelled a myth that elderly people were well off.

"There are some who are doing reasonably well but there are a heck of a lot who are finding life a struggle."

Brian Anderson, 72, and his wife Elaine, 70, put themselves in the group making up 34 per cent of the Nielsen sample who said: "I basically manage to meet all my expenses but it is not easy - there's not really anything left over".

The couple own a "basically freehold" house at Parakai, near Helensville, but have no investments because they have spent much of their lives in missionary work in Africa.

Their sole income is now NZ superannuation of $478.38 a week after tax

They only buy fruit and vegetables that are in season, mainly from a roadside fruit stall just up the road. A third of the people in the Nielsen sample said the cost of fresh fruit and vegetables sometimes stopped them buying them.

Only 19 per cent of the Nielsen sample said they "hardly ever feel stressed". Mr Anderson admitted to feeling "periodic stress", mainly when the children had problems such as having to find a new job.

But Mrs Anderson said she wasn't stressed at all.

"I don't worry about it because I'm a believer and have faith," she said. "We have lived in a Third World country and believe me, New Zealand is wonderful."

* The segments

1. Kiwi battlers (25 per cent)

Average personal income $18,300.

83 per cent own their own homes.

Find it hard to make ends meet.

Often lonely and the most stressed group.

2. Paradoxical pensioners (15 per cent)

Average personal income $19,400.

85 per cent own their own homes.

Like the good things in life but money is tight.

Aim for low fat diet but eat what they like.

3. Active and aware (19 per cent)

Average personal income $21,300.

91 per cent own their own home.

Financially healthy but budget carefully.

Exercise and volunteer regularly.

4. Traditionalists (22 per cent)

Average personal income $22,500.

89 per cent own their own home.

Mainly couples - the only (slight) majority-male group.

Least likely to exercise.

5. Affluent investors (19 per cent)

Average personal income $29,400.

93 per cent own their own home.

Financially comfortable, optimistic.

Exercise, volunteer and go to movies.

* www.hopefoundation.org.nz