Centrelink rates for 2023 saw increases through regular indexation in March, July, and September, boosting payments for JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy, Disability Support Pension, and Carer payments, with significant boosts like an extra $40 for youth/students from September and increased Carer Allowance to $153.50/fortnight, building on earlier rises and new Budget measures for single parents, with final 2023 figures found on the Department of Social Services website.
For Australian pensioners, the main "additional payments" are the Pension Supplement, the Energy Supplement, and potentially Rent Assistance, forming three key components on top of the basic Age Pension, helping with living costs like utilities, phones, medicines, and housing, though some older supplements like Pharmaceutical and Telephone Allowances have mostly been rolled into the main Pension Supplement.
Latest Age Pension rate changes (from 20 September 2025)
Single: $1,178.70 per fortnight (approximately $30,646 per year) Couple (each): $888.50 per fortnight (approximately $23,101 per year) Couple (combined): $1,777.00 per fortnight (approximately $46,202 per year)
DWP benefits that are linked to inflation rise by 3.8% in April 2026, as do inflation-linked benefits administered by HMRC. Universal Credit standard allowances will receive an additional uplift of 2.3%. The basic and new State Pension will be uprated by 4.8% from April 2026.
There are no extra payments for Centrelink customers. If you're not sure if Centrelink information you've seen online is real, search our genuine websites. See the link in the comments for more info 👇 The Guringai Festival had a story about a $750 one off payment for pensioners in December, 2025.
Centrelink $1,600 Christmas 'bonus' payment to older Australians refuted as scammers try to cash in. No bonus payments have been announced for Centrelink recipients or seniors, despite misinformation spreading online.
In early spring 2025, Canadians who worked in 2023 and earned up to $150,000 will receive a $250 payment—either through a direct deposit in their bank account or cheque in their mailbox.
The full rate of new State Pension is £230.25 a week. Your amount could be different depending on: if you were contracted out before 2016. the number of National Insurance qualifying years you have.
To be eligible for Age Pension you must be Age Pension age and meet some other rules. Age Pension age is 67 years or older. We use income and assets tests to work out how much Age Pension you get. There are several things to consider when you're preparing to claim Age Pension.
The current full retirement age is 67 years old for people attaining age 62 in 2026. (The age for Medicare eligibility remains at 65.) Refer to Benefits By Year Of Birth for more information.
From 20 September 2025, the maximum full Age Pension will increase by: $29.70 per fortnight for singles. $44.80 combined ($22.40 each) per fortnight for couples.
What's Changing From 10 January 2026
Yes, pensioners often receive extra payments or supplements, primarily through automatic indexation linked to living costs (like recent increases in early 2026) and additional allowances like the Pension Supplement for bills (utilities, phone), Rent Assistance, and the Work Bonus for those who work, with specific amounts depending on individual circumstances.
While there's no “$280 bonus,” the figure is not entirely random. It is often a misinterpretation of the standard indexation increase that occurs every March and September. These adjustments raise the base rate of pensions to keep up with the cost of living.
The Cost of Living Payment is a one-off payment of $250 for eligible payment recipients and concession card holders. The Cost of Living Payment will only be paid once for each person, even if they qualify in multiple ways. Each member of a couple will receive the payment if both are eligible.
The bonus will be automatically paid to individuals who are receiving eligible Centrelink benefits as of the qualifying date.
Technically, yes – but there are significant factors to weigh before pursuing this route. While spending down your super may reduce your assessable assets and potentially increase the Age Pension you're eligible for, it's crucial to consider how this could impact your financial security and lifestyle in retirement.
What is the Pensioner Concession Card. The Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) gives you access to cheaper medicines, public transport and utilities. PCCs issued by DVA are the same as those issued by Services Australia.
You may inherit part of or all of your partner's extra State Pension or lump sum if: they died while they were deferring their State Pension (before claiming) or they had started claiming it after deferring. they reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. you were married or in the civil partnership when they died.
Which Countries Have the Most Sustainable Pension Systems? Iceland, Denmark, and the Netherlands have the most financially sustainable pension systems due to well-balanced contribution rates and participation.
The basic State Pension is currently £137.60 per week. This amount goes up each year. If you can get it, the full new State Pension amount is £179.60 a week. The money you may be able to get could be lower.
Top 5 Bookkeeping Mistakes That Trigger a CRA Review or Audit
According to the federal government, the maximum annual amount an individual may receive from July 2025 to June 2026 is $533, while a married or common-law couple could see up to $698 combined. The payment amounts are recalculated every July based on how much a family or individual earned in the previous tax year.
In order to qualify for this, you have to have worked in 2023 and had an income below $150,000. You also qualify if you received Employment Insurance, paid EI premiums or made CPP contributions. You should receive this via cheque or direct deposit by April 2025.