Retirement Guide>

Getting the Age Pension

Retirement guide

Understanding whether you can qualify for the Australian Age Pension can be tricky.  So can managing your pension through income tests, asset tests, means tests and the changes to your assets that may flow out of various life choices and occurrences like downsizing, inheriting money, equity release and more.

Here we provide the essentials on the pension as well as relatable questions and answers and stories from our community, so you can better understand how the pension works and get on with enjoying the best retirement possible.

News & Essentials

Essentials on the Age Pension

Articles from the Starts at 60 news team and our industry experts to help you navigate the age pension

The ‘Beginners guide’ to the Age Pension in Australia
Age Pension

The ‘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
‘How does Centrelink assess super and what’s an account-based pension?’
Age Pension

‘How does Centrelink assess super and what’s an account-based pension?’

"We haven't started to draw on our superannuation yet so are currently living off savings and the pension."
Money ExpertNoel Whittaker
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card: How to apply and what it covers
Retirement Income

Commonwealth Seniors Health Card: How to apply and what it covers

You could save money on health care by applying for a free Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
Written byStarts at 60 Writers
Good reasons Age Pensioners should be cautious of lending money
Age Pension

Good reasons Age Pensioners should be cautious of lending money

Centrelink has restrictions on lending AND gifting when it comes to the Age Pension.
Written byChristine Seib
Good news! Means test thresholds rise, making more eligible for pension
Age Pension

Good news! Means test thresholds rise, making more eligible for pension

Indexation is back, which means an Age Pension increase plus changes to the assests and income tests.
Money ExpertNick Bruining
Separated and on the Age Pension? How Centrelink looks at your relationship
Age Pension

Separated and on the Age Pension? How Centrelink looks at your relationship

If you've got a later-life companion or fancy finding one, it pays to be aware of these rules.
Money ExpertBrian Herd

Senior Concessions Guide 2023/24

One of the benefits of hitting retirement age is taking advantage of the concessions available to you. To help make it easier for you to find what you’re entitled to, we’ve created this FREE e-guide to reveal what concessions are available for the following cardholders: Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card and Seniors Card.

Download now

The latest on the Age Pension

The latest news, views, explainers and community stories about the age pension

The top 5 financial milestones to reach by age 70
Christopher Zinn avatarChristopher Zinn
Experts
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As of July 1, 2023, there have been a number of changes to the Aged Pension. Source: Getty
Age Pension

The Age Pension: Everything over 60s need to know

The Age Pension: Everything over 60s need to know

Here's our updated guide to the Age Pension, detailing rates, eligibility, application, and an alternative option for non-qualifiers.
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

Maximise your Age Pension: Top tricks to get you more and the traps you should avoid

Maximise your Age Pension: Top tricks to get you more and the traps you should avoid

Pensioners owe it to themselves to make sure they’re getting their full entitlement. Here’s how to do it.
For couples, the asset test threshold rises by $3,500, to the new level of $405,000. Source: 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.
Retirement fears loom over most people, even those with more savings than others. Source: Getty.
Retirement Income

Got nearly $1M in super and still worried about retirement? You’re not alone

Got nearly $1M in super and still worried about retirement? You’re not alone

The strange thing is, many Australians die richer than they were on the day they retired.
Unlocking cash after selling the family home could impact your pension depending on how you use it. Source: Getty.
Age Pension

‘If I release $600,000 in home equity, how will it impact my Age Pension?’

‘If I release $600,000 in home equity, how will it impact my Age Pension?’

Making the wrong move here could have the impact of entirely removing this reader’s pension eligibility.
Make sure you're getting paid what you're entitled to when retiring overseas. Source: Getty.
Age Pension

Tax, super and pension: What you need to know about retiring overseas

Tax, super and pension: What you need to know about retiring overseas

Know what you're entitled to if you choose to retire abroad.
Super funds could be automatically reducing your pension payments on July 1. Source: Getty.
Age Pension

Retirees face shock 50% income drop from July 1 as super drawdown changes

Retirees face shock 50% income drop from July 1 as super drawdown changes

If you haven't heard from your super fund on how it'll institute the new minimum drawdown rules, it's time to ask.
A universal pension would provide every senior with equal protection from falling into poverty. Source: Getty.
Age Pension

Calls for a universal pension grow as Covid-19 reveals perversity of means tests

Calls for a universal pension grow as Covid-19 reveals perversity of means tests

National Seniors says the financial upheaval caused by coronavirus makes it an ideal time to shake up the retirement income system.
Finding the best options for your money is all about finding the right legal loopholes. Source: Getty.
Age Pension

‘Can I roll my husband’s super into mine to boost his pension and my income?’

‘Can I roll my husband’s super into mine to boost his pension and my income?’

A bit of an age gap between partners can really help when it comes to maximising Age Pension payments.
Many working pensioners have fallen into the financial gap where they aren't receiving any government payments at all. Source: Getty.
Age Pension

‘It’s just not fair’: Hard-working pensioners miss out on Covid-19 benefits

‘It’s just not fair’: Hard-working pensioners miss out on Covid-19 benefits

"The government hasn't thought about the thousands of people over 60 who have been supplementing their pension to survive."
The Disability Support Pension is for anyone who has their income affected due to a permanent disability. Source: Getty.
Age Pension

How the government is helping Disability Support Pensioners amid Covid-19

How the government is helping Disability Support Pensioners amid Covid-19

The requirements to get and keep the Disability Support Pension have been eased.
An expert provides his views on the retirement income system in Australia. Source: Getty
Experts

The hard retirement choices an ‘average’ couple will have to make

The hard retirement choices an ‘average’ couple will have to make

Finding additional income from somewhere will be a necessity for most.
Helping your adult children afford their first home is great, as long as it doesn’t put you in a tight financial spot.
Age Pension

Good reasons Age Pensioners should be cautious of lending money

Good reasons Age Pensioners should be cautious of lending money

Centrelink has restrictions on lending AND gifting when it comes to the Age Pension.
As social distancing guidelines ramp up, it's probably best to avoid your local Centrelink office. Source: Getty.
Age Pension

How you can access welfare payments without visiting your local Centrelink

How you can access welfare payments without visiting your local Centrelink

As the government urges Australians to stay home, there are plenty of other ways you can get information about your welfare payments.
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