Centrelink Age Pension Articles

Not yet Age Pension age? The rules still apply

Not yet Age Pension age? The rules still apply

There is a very common mistake that adviser, Sharon Sheehan, has noticed. So many members are confused by the term ‘superannuation account’. Recent research from AMP confirms that 70 % of older Australians don’t know what an Account-Based Pension is. Given...

Income test Q and A: Centrelink assessment rules

Income test Q and A: Centrelink assessment rules

In mid-October we reported on the second part of the Means Test – how Centrelink assesses income. In this update we explained how the income test works, what is ‘earned’ income and what is deemed. We then asked you to share any aspects of the income test...

Your assets test questions answered

Your assets test questions answered

Is this assessable? Two weeks ago we explained how the assets test works and how different assets can be treated very differently by Centrelink. At the end of this article, we asked if you find these rules confusing and you certainly answered – in the 70...

Keeping Centrelink up-to-date

Keeping Centrelink up-to-date

All the rules you need to know Ever since the Robodebt debacle many of our readers have been understandably anxious about what they do, and don’t, need to tell Centrelink.  There are times when you must tell Centrelink and times when you don’t have to,...

Back to basics: How the income test works

Back to basics: How the income test works

Last week we went back to basics by explaining how the assets test works.  This week we share the ‘second-part’ of this important retirement income update – an explanation of the way the income test is used to assess Age Pension eligibility. What is the...

Assets test explained

Assets test explained

How the rules work for you In our recent article on the fairness of the Age Pension we received a few questions as to why the family home was listed in the comparison between three different retirement households.  These questions highlighted the need...

How fair is the Age Pension?

How fair is the Age Pension?

A tale of three retirements  With just on two thirds of retirees receiving an Age Pension from age 67 onwards, this benefit remains the main form of income for older Australians. As the super system matures, the amount of ‘top-up’ provided by super is...

Why is the Age Pension increasing?

Why is the Age Pension increasing?

Understanding Age Pension increases and……do they cover the cost of living? A couple of weeks ago we reported on the September 20 Age Pension increases.  This is one of two increases that occur each year with the next one scheduled for March 20...