We frequently write about simple steps that you can make to improve your Age Pension entitlements. This can include:
- Revaluing their personal assets. Hint: Garage sale value, not what you would pay for them new.
- Organising household assets so a greater proportion are held in non assessable categories. e.g. Paying off the mortgage or holding investment debt against investment assets.
- Gifting early
- And many more
We would love to hear some of your stories about what you might have done to improve your situation. If you are happy to participate you can do so by commenting below.
I read on your excellent newsletters that Commonwealth Senior Health Card holders may be eligible for Power Discounts.
Went to my supplier – Red Energy – who only listed Pensioners and Veterans Cards on how you notify.
So are CSHC holders eligible? Any tips for notifying Red Energy
Thanks
Hi Robin, thank you for the feedback, great to hear the value you are finding in our content! With the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, the only set in stone benefits across the entire nation are the discounts on prescription medication/bulk billing. The other potential concessions (such as discounts on electricity) vary from one state to the next. Given your mention of Red Energy you are presumably in NSW so you can CLICK HERE to complete a short survey the NSW government created to determine what concessions you could be entitled to as a CSHC holder and more.
I find ANY dealings (such as trying to get a seniors Health Card) with Centrelink simply do my brain in. They want so much info I just give up!! At 77 years old I have avoided Centrelink for years for that reason.
It is just too hard dealing with Centrelink and their demands for more and more info- eg if I want a Seniors Health card why the heck do they want to know all about my wife and details about when I entered Australia and on what visa. If they got my TFN they would see how long we have been here and paid tax
Hi John, thank you for sharing your experience and I’m sorry to hear it was a poor one. We would be happy to help guide and support you through your claim with Centrelink if you are elgiible but have simply been avoiding them. Call us on 1300 527 727 to see if we can help.