Age Pension
The Age Pension is the main income support payment available to support the basic living standards of older Australians. As you approach retirement or transition to retirement, you may find you need to draw on a combination of income sources such as work, superannuation and your other savings and assets. The Age Pension supports many older Australians either as their main or only income source, or else to supplement their income from other sources.
While there is no official retirement age in Australia, to be eligible for the Age Pension, you must be at least 67 years of age. There are also residency requirements, and an income and assets test applies. If you are under 67 years of age, other supports may be available to you, such as JobSeeker Payment.
Working beyond Age Pension age
The Australian Government supports older Australians to continue working, if they are able to, and wish to do so, by allowing them to keep more of their pension when they have income from work.
Pension income test
The pension income test is designed to encourage pensioners to supplement their pension with additional private income.
Visit the Services Australia website to learn more about the income test for Age Pension(Opens external website).
Work Bonus
The Work Bonus increases the amount an eligible pensioner can earn from work before it affects their pension rate.
Visit the Services Australia website to learn more about the Work Bonus(Opens external website), or call 13 23 00.
More information for seniors in the workforce
- Australian Taxation Office(Opens external website) – information for seniors and retirees on tax concessions.
- Australian Human Rights Commission(Opens external website) – information about age discrimination.
Pension advance payments
Pension advance payments assist pensioners to budget and to meet large or unforeseen costs.
Pension advance payments allow pensioners to receive a portion of their future pension entitlement as a lump sum.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs has similar rules for its income support payments.
Visit the Services Australia website to learn more about Advance payments(Opens external website).
Home Equity Access Scheme
The scheme lets older Australians supplement their retirement incomes through an Australian Government loan, secured against their home or other Australian real estate.
Learn more about the Home Equity Access Scheme.
Concession cards
Australian Government concession cards provide access to cheaper medicines and medical services. If you receive the Age Pension, the Pensioner Concession Card is provided automatically. If you are over Age Pension age but do not receive the Age Pension, you may qualify for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, which requires a separate application to Services Australia.
Pensioner Concession Card
In addition to the health concessions available with all Australian Government concession card, the Pensioner Concession Card provides access to subsidised hearing assessments and hearing rehabilitation. You will receive this card automatically if you get a pension payment.
Visit the Services Australia website to find out more about the Pensioner Concession Card(Opens external website).
The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card is available to people of Age Pension age who do not receive a pension payment and meet an income test. Eligible people will need to apply to receive this card.
Visit the Services Australia website to find out if you are eligible, and how to apply for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card(Opens external website).
Visit the Services Australia website to learn more about the range of concession and health care cards(Opens external website).
Improving digital skills
Be Connected helps older Australians learn the basics of digital technology.
Be Connected supports people aged 50 years and over to confidently and safely use the internet and digital technology.
Learn more about Be Connected.
Moving to or from Australia
If you are receiving an Australian pension and you travel or move overseas, this may affect your pension.
If you are not already receiving an Australian pension and you are living overseas in a country that has a social security agreement with Australia, you may be able to use the agreement to claim an Australian pension.
If you have moved to Australia, you may be able to claim a pension from another country. Visit the Services Australia website to find more information about these international options or contact International Services(Opens external website) on 13 16 73.
Financial help
Services Australia provide Financial Information Service Officers who can help you with your future financial needs.
Contact Services Australia on 13 23 00 or visit the Services Australia website to find out more about Financial Information Services Officers(Opens external website).