What is assessed as income? Working out your income for the Centrelink income tests isn’t as simple as looking at your payslip or a bank statement. Your total earnings from various sources, including what is known as “deemed” income, needs to be...
Centrelink Age Pension Articles
What Assets impact the Age Pension
When applying for the Age Pension an applicant must meet certain eligibility criteria; Residency Test Income Test Limits Assets Test Limits Whether the applicant is single or a couple is also taken into account. Couples have higher limits for the...
Single or Couple – Is the system fair?
Perhaps the most frequent comment we receive concerns the different Age Pension entitlements received by singles and couples. Opinions are strongly divided on this issue however one sentiment is shared - The system isn’t fair. This week we have...
New Age Pension Rates July 2020
New Age Pension Rates commenced today The new Age Pension rates for the Means Test commenced July 1st. This means Seniors can earn slightly more, or have slightly higher assets, before they start losing some of their Age Pension entitlements. Some of...
Can the Work Bonus benefit you?
Many Seniors have seen their retirement savings take a hit over the last few months and interest rates are extremely low for those with money in bank deposits. While Seniors are quite rightly focused on their health and safety right now some are also...
May 1st Deeming Rate Changes
How does this impact your entitlements? The new Centrelink deeming rates are changing effective from the 1st of May. These changes will put money back into the pockets of senior Australians receiving the Age Pension, and may increase the number of...
Applying for the pension in a time of social distancing
Help in a time of uncertainty In light of the current COVID-19 crisis, Australians of all ages are advised to stay at home, practise social distancing, and always wash hands. The risks are higher for older people and those with pre-existing conditions such...
I live in the same house as my ex-partner, will Centrelink assess me as a couple or a single?
Living under one roof as individuals requires a lot more information to be provided to Centrelink so they can accurately assess whether you are indeed a couple or a single. To this end you will probably be required to complete the Centrelink...
Pension rates are changing March
Centrelink have now announced the changes to Age Pension income and asset thresholds plus payment rates. For senior Australians receiving the full Age Pension this translates to an additional $7 per fortnight for singles and $10 per fortnight for couples...