From 1 July 2022, for single pensioners, the pension income free area is $190 a fortnight and for couples combined, it is $336 a fortnight.
A one-off payment of $250 will be made to individuals who are currently in receipt of Australian government social security payments, including pensions, to ease cost of living pressures. A single Paid Parental Leave scheme of up to 20 weeks paid leave will replace the existing system of 2 separate payments.
The Government has provided two separate $750 payments to social security, veteran and other income support recipients and eligible concession card holders. Around half of those that benefit are pensioners. These payments will support households to manage the economic impact of the Coronavirus.
The payment rates for Age Pension, Carer Payment and Disability Support Pension are increasing from 20 March 2023. Age Pension, Carer Payment and Disability Support Pension will increase by $37.50 a fortnight for singles and $56.40 a fortnight for couples combined.
If you're a pensioner currently receiving support through Centrelink, you may be eligible for extra help with bills and medicine costs through the Pension Supplement. This supplement is a combined payment of Pharmaceutical Allowance, Utilities Allowance, GST Supplement and Telephone Allowance.
The Work Bonus income bank is useful for pensioners who wish to work, particularly those who undertake intermittent or occasional work. Note: from 1 December 2022 to 31 December 2023, a one-off, temporary credit of $4,000 applies to Work Bonus income bank balances.
The cash boost comes as part of a twice-yearly indexation of welfare payments, driven higher by rising cost of living. From March 20, the maximum fortnightly pension rate will jump to $1064 for singles and $1604 for couples.
Latest Age Pension rates (from 20 September 2022)
From 20 September 2022 the maximum full Age Pension increases $38.90 per fortnight for a single person, and $58.80 a fortnight for a couple.
From 20 March 2023 the maximum rate of the single age pension will rise by $37.50 per fortnight (taking the single age pension from $1026.50 to $1064) and for couples, by $56.40 per fortnight (taking their payment from $1547.60 to $1604 combined).
The Carer Supplement is an annual payment of $600 which is attached to each Carer Allowance. The Supplement is paid in July each year.
You can get the Work Bonus if both of these apply to you. You: are Age Pension age and over. get Age Pension, Carer Payment or Disability Support Pension.
Labor has said it will give $250, to be matched by another $250 from the federal government, to concession card holders, Family Tax Benefit recipients and self-funded retirees with a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
Can I Get the Pension if I Have Super? Having superannuation savings does not deny you from receiving Age Pension payments. Eligibility for the Age Pension is based on an Assets Test and an Income Test.
The Cost of Living Payment is a one-off payment of $250. You'll only get one Cost of Living Payment, even if you were getting more than one eligible payment or concession card. It's not taxable. You don't need to report it as income.
From 10 July 2023, if your family earns under $530,000, you'll get increased Child Care Subsidy (CCS). The CCS percentage you're entitled to depends on your family's income. The income limit to get the maximum CCS is increasing. Families earning up to $80,000 will get an increased maximum CCS amount, from 85% to 90%.
The amount of money you receive from the age pension you receive depends on your age, wealth and income. It can be affected by the amount of money you have in your bank account as well as in your super fund.
Age Pension age is: 65 years and 6 months, if you were born between 1 July 1952 and 31 December 1953. 66 years, if you were born between 1 January 1954 and 30 June 1955. 66 years and 6 months, if you were born between 1 July 1955 and 31 December 1956.
Assets Test
A single homeowner can have up to $634,750 of assessable assets and receive a part pension – for a single non-homeowner the higher threshold is $859,250. For a couple, the higher threshold to $954,000 for a homeowner and $1,178,500 for a non-homeowner.
The Cost of Living Payment is a $250 one-off payment to help with the cost of living.
Latest Age Pension changes (from 20 March 2023)
From 20 March 2023 the maximum full Age Pension increases $37.50 per fortnight for a single person, and $28.20 per person per fortnight for a couple. Note: Annual amounts are approximate. The figures above include the pension and energy supplements.