The aged pension is the government income support payment for senior Australians. The Centrelink aged pension offers a stable income source for older Australians that qualify for it. There are different levels of financial support depending on your current circumstances. For those who still earn an income, the aged pension may supplement your income if you’re old enough. Read on to find out the age at which you’ll qualify for the Centrelink aged pension.
Currently, as of April 2020, if you’re 66 years old you may be eligible to receive the age pension. This is current until 30 June 2021.
As of 1 July 2023, you must be 67 years old to be age pension eligible. The age limits increase depending on when you were born:
| Date of Birth | Age Pension Qualifying Age |
| 1 July 1952 – 31 December 1953 | 65 years + 6 months |
| 1 January 1954 – 30 June 1955 | 66 years |
| 1 July 1955 – 31 December 1956 | 66 years + 6 months |
| From 1 January 1957 | 67 years |
Not everyone is eligible to receive the aged pension. This is because some people earn too much from income, assets and investments. Thus, to qualify for the aged pension, you must meet the income requirements.
If you earn below the amount set for your situation you may be eligible for part of the pension. The earning limits depend on whether you’re single or a couple. Currently, you’ll be eligible to receive some age pension if you earn below $2,062.60 fortnightly and you’re single. Couples are able to earn up to $3,115.20 (combined) per fortnight to still be eligible for benefits.
For singles, your income must fall below $174 per fortnight to receive the full age pension. If you’re a couple, your combined income must fall below $308 per fortnight. If your income test proves that you’re earning above these limits, then your pension will reduce. It’ll reduce by 40c for every dollar over that amount. These are the Centrelink aged pension limits as of June 2020 and are subject to change.
As discussed, there are limits to the amount of income you can earn to qualify for the aged pension. Furthermore, there are limits to the value of the assets you own. To qualify for the Centrelink aged pension, assets must fall within the limits too. Assets can be from real estate and other investments. They also include valuables such as jewelry and vehicles. If you’re fortunate to have investments or own a business, these are declarable assets too. But, there are some exemptions to what’s considered assets. For example, your main family home isn’t considered a real-estate asset if you live in it.
If your assets are higher than the limits, you could still be eligible for a part pension. To make a claim for government benefits, you’ll need to complete an Income & Assets Form (SA369). This form can is obtainable through Services Australia.
Currently, the greatest aged pension rates you’ll receive depend on your circumstances. Services Australia may update this information, however, it’s current as of April 2020. The rates change depending on whether you’re single, a couple, or a couple separated by illness. These are the current rates:
| Per Fortnight | Singles | Couples Combined | Couples Separated Due to Ill Health |
| Maximum basic rate + Pension & Energy Supplements | $944.30 | $1,423.60 | $944.30 |
If you believe that you’re eligible for a full age pension or partial age pension, you can apply online at MyGov. Or, you can apply in person at a Centrelink Office. You can complete the forms before you go into Centrelink. It’s as easy as downloading and printing them from the Services Australia website.
For further advice, go to Retirement Now. Here you can find information and advice for retirees and ageing Australians.
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