Government Age Pension eligibility
The Age Pension is the main government income support payment for older Australians. Many people are eligible to receive support once they reach the Age Pension age.
Aged 67 or over
An Australian resident
Under income and asset limits
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More on income limitsCentrelink uses an income test to work out if you’ll qualify. This table shows the income limits as at 20 September 2023.
If you're To be eligible for the maximum Age Pension you must earn less than You won’t be eligible for any Age Pension if you earn more than Single $204 per fortnight $2,397 per fortnight A couple $360 (combined) per fortnight $3,667 (combined) per fortnight
Different limits apply if you have dependants, qualify for the Work Bonus or receive other government support, like rent assistance or disability payments. The income limits include all sources of income, including your UniSuper retirement income stream. But different rules apply depending on the type of income stream you have. See Services Australia for more on the income test.
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More on asset limitsCentrelink also considers the value of your assets to work out if you’ll qualify. This table shows the asset limits as at 20 September 2023.
If you're a To be eligible for the maximum Age Pension your assets must be under You won’t be eligible for any Age Pension if your assets are worth more than Single homeowner $301,750 $667,500 Single non-homeowner $543,750 $909,500 Couple homeowner $451,500 $1,003,000 Couple non-homeowner $693,500 $1,245,000 - Different limits may apply if you’re a couple that’s separated due to illness or you receive other government support, like rent assistance.
- Your principal home and the first 2 hectares of land it’s on doesn’t count in the asset test.
- Different rules apply depending on the type of UniSuper account you have. Visit Services Australia to see more about limits and which assets are included.
Age Pension rates
| If you're | Maximum Age Pension payment |
|---|---|
| Single | $1,002.50 per fortnight |
| A couple | $755.70 (each) per fortnight $1,511.40 (combined) per fortnight |
Remember, you may receive a lower amount or extra support depending on your circumstances. Visit Services Australia for more on the rates and conditions.
How to apply for the Age Pension
Apply for the Age Pension through Centrelink.
If you qualify, information about your UniSuper income stream will be one of the things Centrelink will use to decide how much you’ll get.
UniSuper provides information about members’ income streams directly to Centrelink at different times throughout the year.
- Flexi Pension and Term Allocated Pension: February and August
- Lifetime Income: April
- Defined Benefit Indexed Pension: July
Outside of our regular reporting, you may need to request an income stream schedule to inform Centrelink about changes to your account (such as if you take a lump sum amount other than your normal payment) as they happen. If required, you can generate an income schedule for your Flexi Pension through your online account at any time.
Other government entitlements
You may be able to receive other support payments or benefits, such as cheaper healthcare, medicines and transport.
The Pensioner Concession Card is given to everyone who receives the Age Pension.
The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card is available to eligible people who have reached Age Pension age.