An economist says New Zealand needs to have a tough conversation about superannuation.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis yesterday told Newstalk ZB the scheme needs to become sustainable and a debate about age eligibility will be needed eventually. 

Bagrie Economics says raising the age makes sense, with the average life expectancy up a lot.

Cameron Bagrie says we can't keep kicking the can down the road.

"More than 50 percent of all welfare spending is going towards New Zealand's Superannuation - and some people need that money, but there's a chunk of society that I don't think need that money and they're double dipping."

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