New legislation passed to allow pensioners to work and ‘keep more of their money’

Those receiving the age pension will now be able to work more hours without facing financial penalties to their payments, after legislation passed the House of Representatives.

Currently, pensioners can only earn $7800 a year before their payments are affected.

Under the new changes, age and veteran pensioners will now be able to earn an additional $4000 over this financial year without losing any of their pension.

Originally the measures would have only been available until June 30, 2023, however, following consultation the Government has extended the $4000 bonus through to December 31, 2023.

The extension is designed to adequately assess the effectiveness of the policy change and offer pensioners more time to access the income boost.

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said it’s important that pensioners have the option to work if they wish to without facing financial penalties.

“We’ve listened and we’re now seeking to extend the measure for twelve-months to ensure people have time to use it,” Rishworth said.

“Our measure provides certainty – pensioners know exactly what they are getting up front and how much they can earn.

“The Albanese Labor Government is committed to improving the lives of all Australians – including older Australians – and importantly providing choice.”

The measure is also expected to address the crippling labour shortage impacting the country.

As the Government touts the benefits of the scheme, the University of Adelaide’s Centre for Economic Studies in association with the Independent Research Fund, claims the measures do not go far enough.

“The Federal Government has missed a golden opportunity to ease one of Australia’s most pressing economic challenges, the shortage of skilled labour, by not tapping into the expertise of pensioners to a greater extent,” said the University of Adelaide’s Associate Professor Michael O’Neil.

“With the population of those 65 years and older expected to be the fastest growing for at least the next few decades, getting the appropriate public policy settings and employer and employee attitudes is likely to have a significant influence on workforce growth and composition, productivity and household incomes, amongst other issue.”

The subject of making changes to age pension rules gained traction after political figures such as New South Wales Treasurer Matt Kean called on the Federal Government to change income thresholds for seniors earlier this year.

“We have a grey army of workers who want to get out there and they want to work, but there is no incentive to do so,” he told the Australian Financial Review.

“It’s a win for our pensioners who would benefit from the extra work and socialisation, and also for businesses who would be able to plug some of their vacancies.”

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews supported Kean’s calls for seniors to return to work, claiming that “the notion that we’re penalising people, or keeping them out of the workforce, while every industry is begging for staff, it just doesn’t make any sense to me”.

“I don’t reckon we can afford the luxury of saying, ‘No, you can’t work, we’ll lock you out’, while we’ve got such post-COVID skill shortages in every single industry,” he said.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton recently called to double the amount age pensioners can earn before their pensions are reduced in an effort to fix current staff shortages.

Older Australians should be able to keep more of what they earn.
A Dutton government would support older Australians who choose to work more by doubling the amount of income age pensioners and veteran service pensioners can earn without reducing pension payments. pic.twitter.com/7VIHaTRYmd

— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton_MP) June 26, 2022

In a statement released by Dutton, the Coalition leader said the policy would “help relieve pressure on a very tight labour market” as well as “put downward pressure on inflation and interest rates”.

“Employers can’t find staff – thousands of jobs across hospitality, agriculture, tourism and retail remain open. This policy ensures that pensioners and veterans, who want to work, are not financially penalised. It puts more money into their pocket,” Dutton said.

“There are around 80,000 age pensioners and veterans who are choosing to work who will likely benefit from this change.”