The AM Show acting host Ryan Bridge has come out swinging against the New Zealand superannuation system, saying it needs some major changes.
It comes as a Member's Bill proposing increasing how long immigrants must be in New Zealand before becoming eligible for super was drawn from the ballot on Thursday.
- NZ First Member's Bill would force migrants to wait 20 years before getting super
- Most 65-year-olds don't want to retire - Retirement Commissioner
"Super costs, get this, $11 billion a year. It's crazy expensive because we have lots of elderly people and not enough young'uns working," he said on Tuesday's show.
"I'll have to pay more in tax over the coming years in my lifetime to support the free ride at 65 unless we cut back.
"Rich people shouldn't get it, new migrants shouldn't get it, under 70s shouldn't get it either. Why? We can't afford it."
"Let's make super for those who are super in need of it."
Sportsreader Mark Richardson disagreed, arguing that he had worked hard and deserved the money upon retirement.
"I deserve my super, because I've paid my taxes," he said.
"In fact as somebody who's probably made a little bit more than the average person I've paid a little bit more than the average tax.
"I've actually paid a decent chunk of all the Government hand-outs that those in need get during my working time."
Newsreader Amanda Gillies also wasn't on Bridge's side, saying she couldn't imagine denying her parents super.
"I look at my parents who worked so hard all their life, had their own business. Dad would often sleep out in the car when they first started because it saved on petrol - that kind of thing," she said.
"Right now they deserve to be looked after."
But it wasn't enough to change Bridge's mind that there needs to be some changes.
"My grandmother who's probably watching this and freaking out - don't worry your pension's fine," he said.
"Going into the future it's becoming more and more expensive as our population ages, so it means that my generation is going to have to pay more in tax to support what people have been working for in terms of super.
"So let's call a cut-off point, let's say anyone under the age of 40 will be affected by this... we can expect some pretty severe cuts."
Newshub.
