Many people like to help family members financially. While gifting can be a meaningful way to support loved ones, it can also have unintended consequences for current or future Age Pension entitlements. Centrelink has strict rules on how much you can...
What would you do if you won a lottery prize of $766,000? That's a life-changing amount of money for most people. What if you found out you could be entitled to even more – over $1.1 million? The good news is you don't need a winning ticket to receive that...
Some of the best Age Pension questions we receive at Retirement Essentials come not from people already at eligibility age, but from those in their early-to-mid 60s, planning for what’s ahead. Whether it’s deciding how to spend super before age 67, shifting...
Owen, 69, had been looking forward to sharing weekends with Laila, 60 – gardening, travel, and the small routines that come with building a life together. But before Laila moved in, Owen wanted to know one practical thing: how would his Age Pension change...
Retiring before you qualify for the Age Pension can feel like stepping into no-man’s land. You’ve wrapped up your working life, but you’re not yet eligible for government support. It’s a unique stage – and one that’s becoming increasingly common since the...
On Tuesday 19 August the Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek, announced significant changes to Age Pension payments and deeming rates. These changes are due to come into effect on 20 September this year. The base rate of the Age Pension will...
Ever wondered just how much Centrelink really knows about you? You’re not alone. With so much of our financial life now online, many people ask: What can Centrelink access — and what are they legally allowed to do with that information? These are valid...
If you’re on a part-Age Pension because your assets are above the lower threshold, you may be in a stronger position to earn extra income than you realise - even beyond the Work Bonus. Here’s why. The Age Pension is reduced under two separate tests: The...
For many Australians, the idea of retiring overseas is more than just a lifestyle dream — it’s a practical plan. Whether driven by family ties, better weather, or a more affordable cost of living, an increasing number of retirees are exploring life beyond...