How a relationship with a big age gap can affect your financial decisions - Diana Clement

Opinion byYour Money and careers writer for the NZ Herald·NZ Herald·17 Oct, 2026 08:00 PM4 mins to readDiana Clement is a freelance journalist who has written a column for the Herald since 2004. Before that, she was personal finance editor for the Sunday Business (now The Business) newspaper in London.‌Age-gap couples: Separate assets may count for residential care subsidy. Photo / Getty ImagesLet’s talk age-gap relationships. Personally I’ve always thought a 15- or 20-year age gap means when you’re in your retirement prime, ready to travel and kick back, you’ll find yourself stuck at home wiping your older partner’s bottom. No thank you. But cupid’s arrow can strike people with big age