The Work Bonus increases the amount an eligible pensioner can earn from work before it affects their pension rate. The first $300 of fortnightly income from work is not counted under the pension income test. The Work Bonus operates in addition to the pension income free area.
Eligible pensioners have had $4,000 credited to their Work Bonus balance since 1 December 2022, increasing the maximum Work Bonus balance from $7,800 to $11,800. This measure extends the increase to 31 December 2023.
From 1 December 2022 to 31 December 2023, your maximum Work Bonus balance limit increases from $7,800 to $11,800. This will reset to $7,800 on 1 January 2024. You'll also get a one-off increase of $4,000 to your Work Bonus balance during this period. Work Bonus is not money you can draw on to use for other things.
On 1 December 2022, a one-off $4,000 income credit was added to the Work Bonus income bank of those at least pension age and in receipt of an Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment or certain Veterans entitlement. Prior to 1 December 2022, the Work Bonus income bank was capped at $7,800.
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.
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.
Introduction. 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 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 eligibility age for Age Pension is increasing to 67 years on 1 July 2023. If you were born on or after 1 January 1957, you must be 67 years to be eligible for Age Pension. You can submit your claim in the 13 weeks before you reach Age Pension age.
The Government announced on 1 February 2022 that an aged care workforce bonus of up to $800 will be paid to eligible aged care staff in Government subsidised home care and residential care.
The Carer Supplement is an annual payment of $600 which is attached to each Carer Allowance. The Supplement is paid in July each year.
The relief will be given to Aussies receiving income support, such as those on JobSeeker, pensioners and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders, Family Tax Benefit A and B recipients and eligible small business owners. Amounts and details will vary between states and territories.
Centrelink: Call 136 150
Advance Lump Sum $1000 – check how much your benefit would reduce each fortnight to see if you can manage it.
Cost-of-living package in federal budget delivers $40-a-fortnight welfare boost and energy relief | Australian budget 2023 | The Guardian.
A Pension Bonus can be accrued for a maximum of 5 years and cannot be accrued after the age of 75. However, work by a person after age 75 can accrue towards the bonus of a younger partner who has not accrued the maximum of 5 years. The Pension Bonus is paid when a person first claims and receives the Age Pension.
From 1 December 2022 to 31 December 2023, the Work Bonus balance increases from $7,800 to $11,800 – reverting back to $7,800 from 1 January 2024. Plus, a $4,000 Work Bonus increase was applied to all Work Bonus Income Bank balances on 1 December 2022 (up to a maximum of $11,800).
Full Age Pension income threshold increases by:
Singles threshold $204 per fortnight, increase is $14 per fortnight, $364 per annum. Couples threshold $360 per fortnight, increase is $24 per fortnight, $624 per annum.
The Order is currently linked to the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) and is based on CPI as at the previous September. CPI at September 2022 was 10.1% which means that your pension will increase by 10.1% from 10 April 2023.
Around 52,000 eligible recipients will receive an increase in their base rate of payment of $92.10 per fortnight. Payments will also continue to be automatically indexed to reflect changes in consumer prices.
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.
Centrelink Budget News: Federal Budget 9 May 2023
increase the base rate of working age and student payments (jobseeker etc) from 20 Sept 2023. energy relief payments for eligible Centrelink customers & card holders (no action is required; see note below)
The Cost of Living Payment is a $250 one-off payment to help with the cost of living. The Cost of Living Payment is not taxable, and you don't need to report it as income.
Families (seniors and pensioners) will be increased from $51,401 to $53,406.
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. The tables below provide more detail in terms of the latest increase and how the Age Pension is broken down.