Age Pension

2.58 million Australians will benefit from a pension increase on September 20.

Age Pension

Age Pension increase: How your payments will be impacted

Increases will benefit 2.58 million Australians currently claiming the Age Pension.

Written byGeorgina Pashley

Money Questions

‘Can we get a part-pension once it’s been 5yrs since we gave our son a house?’

‘Can we get a part-pension once it’s been 5yrs since we gave our son a house?’

Centrelink often view transfers into trusts and other structures as ways to avoid the effects of means testing, so it has strict rules in place to prevent this, explains Nick Bruining.

Money ExpertNick Bruining

The house you transferred to the trust will be assessed under the asset test now and, more importantly, into the foreseeable future. Source: Getty

Money Questions

‘Can I afford to buy a holiday on my modest retirement income?’

‘Can I afford to buy a holiday on my modest retirement income?’

Making the most of what we have becomes critical with relatively modest sums of money, Nick Bruining explains.

Money ExpertNick Bruining

We would like to assume that your ability to holiday some time in the future is unquestionable. Source: Getty

Age Pension

‘Can you get the Age Pension if you bank the proceeds from your home sale?’

‘Can you get the Age Pension if you bank the proceeds from your home sale?’

Homes are exempt from Centrelink's assets test but, once you sell, there are implications that need to be taken into account, Nick Bruining explains.

Money ExpertNick Bruining

Thinking of selling? Read this first! Source: Getty

Age Pension

Maximise your Age Pension: Tricks to get you more and traps you should avoid

Maximise your Age Pension: Tricks to get you more and traps you should avoid

Pensioners owe it to themselves to make sure they’re getting their full entitlement. Here’s how to do it.

Money ExpertTom Ellison

It’s important you correct the values of your assets such as, bank accounts, investments, cars, and home contents regularly. The majority of your assets depreciate over time, providing an opportunity to increase your pension. Source: Getty Images

Age Pension

Age Pension income and assets tests: What you need to know now

Age Pension income and assets tests: What you need to know now

Centrelink’s income and assets tests are now way less complicated than they once were. Tom Ellison outlines the basics.

Money ExpertTom Ellison

For the assets test, the house you live in is really the only thing that isn't taken into account. Source: Getty

Politics

Fact check: Will pensioners be forced onto cashless welfare cards?

Fact check: Will pensioners be forced onto cashless welfare cards?

The government says it's made its decision on the matter, but Labor isn't convinced.

Written byAnna Wall

Labor MP Justine Elliot and Liberal Senator Anne Ruston have gone head to head over the welfare program. Source: Twitter/Getty

Age Pension

New Centrelink thresholds released: How your pension will be affected

New Centrelink thresholds released: How your pension will be affected

The annual indexation allows you to accurately work out how much pension you might lose from the full rate, under the means testing system, Nick Bruining explains.

Money ExpertNick Bruining

For couples, the asset test threshold rises by $3,500, to the new level of $405,000. Source: Getty

Age Pension

‘Beginners guide’ to the Age Pension in Australia

‘Beginners guide’ to the Age Pension in Australia

Tom Ellison spells out exactly what you need to know about claiming the Age Pension.

Money ExpertTom Ellison

Last year alone, more than 40,000 claims for Age Pension were rejected. Why? Reasons range from having too much income (fair enough) to forgetting to fill in part of the claim form. Source: Getty

Age Pension

Hidden homelessness: The older Aussies sleeping in cars

Hidden homelessness: The older Aussies sleeping in cars

It's a shocking reality, but an increasing number of over-60s are facing homelessness in retirement.

Written byAnna Wall

More older Aussies are being forced to sleep rough. Source: Getty

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