The Age Pension Calculator

You can apply for the Age Pension directly with Centrelink. If you prefer doing it on your own, we can email you a helpful guide to assist. Simply check your eligibility using our Age Pension Calculator and we’ll send you the guide along with your personalised Eligibility Report.

You may be interested to know that we have conducted research with Australian retirees. The majority of retirees we surveyed who’ve applied for the Age Pension via Centrelink say they have found it frustrating and many got so frustrated that they simply gave up.

The ABC reported in June 2017 that in the financial year 2016/17 Centrelink had more than 42 million unanswered calls to their help lines and the average wait time for Age Pension queries was 18 minutes. At Retirement Essentials we know there is a smarter way. Our Age Pension application process guides retirees through the application requirements without having to fill out the Centrelink forms – we do this for you! With only one visit to Centrelink and access to online and call-centre support. Our smarter technology is enabling more Australians to access the Age Pension.

Retirement Essentials also provides our members with ongoing support and advice to navigate keeping their Age Pension.

We know that everyday Australians have worked hard and that they shouldn’t have to miss out on their entitlements. Applying for the Age Pension can be a daunting and frustrating process for many people.

This is why we have developed a simple and affordable Age Pension service that:

• Helps you understand what you are entitled to and why;
• Guides you through a step-by-step application process that completes the Centrelink forms for you;
• Prepares you to submit your application at your local Centrelink Service Centre. And, you only have to go once!
• Gives you access to our Australian Age Pension specialists when you need help;
• Supports you if Centrelink asks you for more information; and
• Informs you of government changes that may affect your pension entitlement.

We provide you with tips on how to keep Centrelink updated so you can maintain your pension entitlement. We may even be able to identify options to help you improve your situation.

Start by checking your eligibility with our two-minute and free online Age Pension Calculator. Based on your eligibility, we can then guide you through a step-by-step process to lodge/submit your application for the Age Pension.

We will ask you a series of questions that are needed to meet Centrelink’s requirements for assessing claims for the Age Pension. Once you have completed this, we will complete the official Centrelink forms on your behalf and Express Post them to you. We will provide you with a simple checklist to help you submit your Age Pension Application at your nearest Centrelink office. We will keep you updated on the status of your application and help you respond to any Centrelink questions. Throughout this process you will have access to our Age Pension specialists by phone and email.

Retirement Essentials service is an affordable service that simplifies the process of getting and keeping the Age Pension. With Age Pension specialists only a phone call or email away it is easy to get the information and support you need. Our helpful tips make it easier to understand the process, requirements and respond to questions.

Depending on your birthdate, from 1 July 2017 age pension age will be 65 years and 6 months. After that, age pension age will go up 6 months every 2 years until 1 July 2023.

There are a few reasons it is important. Firstly, Centrelink assesses your income and assets based on the most recent information (i.e. last 14 days). If information supplied is older than 14 days (especially bank statements and employment payslips) Centrelink will ask you for updated information and this will delay your application.

More importantly, the earlier you submit your application, the faster you will start receiving your pension and the discount benefits of the Pensioner Concession Card.

This is why we have developed our application process so that it adheres to the 14 day period so that our members avoid the frustration of having to update their application and re-submit forms to Centrelink.

But, sometimes delays are unavoidable. And, if you have missed the 14 day deadline to submit your application to Centrelink simply send an email hello@retirementessentials.com.au or call us on 1300 527 727 (Monday – Friday, 9:00am- 5:00pm AEST).

Generally, we find that it takes our members less than one hour to complete our online Age Pension application. Of course this is in instances where members have all the necessary information on hand. Members with more complex circumstances may take a little longer. Once finalised, Retirement Essentials will prepare your completed forms within 2-3 business days and lodge them once you have set us as your Correspondence Nominee.

Centrelink advise that claims can take up to 13 weeks to be approved however this can vary greatly depending on the complexity of your financial situation, the quality of your supporting documents and Centrelink’s own backlog of claims to be assessed.