As you are no doubt aware, qualification for the Age Pension is dependent upon meeting both the income and assets tests, and whichever test delivers the worse outcome - the lowest amount of pension - is the one upon which your Age Pension entitlement will be...

Also known as pension disqualifying income limits, this is the amount of money that you are allowed  to earn before your Age Pension entitlement is removed completely The new income disqualifying limits have been increased by $40.20 per fortnight for singles...

Biggest increase in nine years The March 20 Age Pension increases have been announced, with the highest increase for nine years soon to hit retirees' pay packets. Current inflationary tendencies have had a marked impact on the rate of the Age Pension with...

There’s a lot happening with the Age Pension at the moment. In less than two weeks the scheduled March 20 increases to the base rate will be announced and implemented. And on March 29 the Federal Government will hand down its FY 2022-2023 Budget. With an...

You will need to pass two forms of assessment before The Age Pension is granted. One is the incomes test, the other the assets test. There is little leeway in reporting income, which is generally wages, salary, dividends or rent as well as income deemed by...

Defining retirement age may seem like a no brainer, but it’s actually a tricky definition. Put simply, there is no such thing as retirement age. Technically you can retire at any age you like, should your circumstances permit. But if you wish to apply for an...

One of the simplest ways of increasing retirement income can also be one of the most difficult. This is because the strategies – maximising entitlements – come with so many complex rules that many retirees are currently underpaid in retirement. And this does...

Centrelink is pursuing overpayments again As we reported in December 2021, Services Australia granted welfare recipients, including Age Pensioners, a debt reprieve until January 2022. The Minister, Linda Reynolds, stated at the time that debt recovery...

It’s easy to become confused when trying to understand how your assets might affect your retirement income. Are they personal assets? Assessable assets? Or deemable assets? There are many ways of defining assets, and there can be a lot at stake if you...