Social security deeming rates

Deeming rules are used to work out income from financial assets for the purpose of the social security means test.

About deeming rates

The social security system uses deeming rules to work out a person’s income from financial assets. Services Australia adds this to the person’s other income to work out the person’s income support payment rate.

Services Australia calculates a person’s deemed income by applying the deeming rates to financial assets. Financial assets include bank deposits, shares, managed funds, and account-based income streams.

Learn more about deeming rules (Opens external website)

Visit the Services Australia website to learn more about deeming rules and current deeming rates and thresholds.

Where the deeming rates come from

The Minister for Social Services sets the deeming rates.

From 2026 onwards, the Australian Government Actuary makes recommendations to the Minister on future deeming rates. The Actuary’s advice is guided by the returns that pensioners and other income support payment recipients can reasonably access on their investments.

The Actuary follows the Australian Government’s Objectives and Principles for Advice on the Deeming Rates in developing these recommendations.

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DSS4937 | Permalink: www.dss.gov.au/node/4937