Thresholds as at 01/01/2011: Asset Test Homeowner Full Pension (up to) Part Pension (less than) Single $ 186,750 $ 686,000 Couple or one partner eligible $ 265,000 $ 1,018,000 Non-Homeowner Full Pension (up to) Part Pension (less than) Single $ 321,750 $ 821,000 Couple or one partner ... Read more
This is a frequently asked question. You have paid tax on your income and feel justified in receiving the age pension when you retire. As at 20 September 2011 the full age pension is $689 a fortnight for singles and $519.40 each for couples (pensioners may also receive a supplement in addition ... Read more
The Work Bonus is designed as an incentive for pensioners to participate in the workforce. Under the Work Bonus scheme, the first $250 of fortnightly employment income will be disregarded from the income test for pensioners over age pension age. This is in addition to the standard income free a ... Read more
The Pensioner Bonus Scheme (PBS) is now closed to new applicants, however those who were pension age prior to 20 September 2009 and who met all other eligibility conditions (eg. residency etc) may still be able to apply for the PBS. The Pensioner Work Bonus scheme commenced 20 September 2009. I ... Read more
A Centrelink pension differs from an allowance for a number of reasons. Firstly, the rates of payment differ. Similarly, the income and assets tests for pensions and allowances also differ depending upon the type of payment and the age of the recipient. Generally pension payments are higher tha ... Read more
Currently men need to be age 65 before they qualify for the age pension, whilst the earliest that women can qualify is age 64. The qualification criteria for women born between 1 January 1946 and 1 July 1952 are outlined below, as is the criteria for both men and women born on or after 1 July 1 ... Read more
Gifting is the process of disposing or transferring your assets without receiving a fair price for those assets. Centrelink has strict rules on the level of funds that you are able to gift, and allow singles or couples to gift $10,000 in each financial year or $30,000 over a five year period. ... Read more
If you are over 60 and have permanently stopped work, you will be able to withdraw 100 per cent of your super, spend it and then apply for the age pension if you have reached the age to qualify for the pension. You do not need to spend all your money to receive the pension and in many cases you ... Read more
Yes. The Age Pension is both income tested and asset tested. If both your income and assets fall below the respective limits then you may be able to also receive the Age Pension. Read more