Last month Steven (who’s head of our Customer Services Team) answered a series of questions about whether our members should be receiving a single or couples Age Pension. These questions coincided with new Age Pension increases, with many people questioning whether they were receiving the right amounts.
This reminded us that the Centrelink definition of singles and couples is less than clear. Here are some of the questions that sparked this discussion, Steven’s answer, as well as a quick summary of the basic things you need to know regarding your relationship status.
Royce started the conversation by asking:
‘My wife receives $1525.50 gross per fortnight for 50 hours of part-time work. I receive a couples part Age Pension amount of $508.96 per fortnight. Any increase in salary that my wife receives comes off my pension payments. We cannot get ahead of our bills.
She wants to retire in four years’ time at 60, when we will have to live off one couples pension. How do we do that when rates have just gone up $500 and body corporate fees by$1000? I have worked all my life. I’m an army veteran and worked for charities. A couples pension is a joke.’
Another member, Ken, jumped in and responded to Royce:
‘I know how you feel. I went through it when I was with a partner who was working and I lost a huge portion of my pension. But you should be on a single pension if your wife is not on the pension.’
Then Steven stepped up to clarify:
‘Hi Ken, thank you for sharing your experience with us! Just to clarify though, Centrelink pays the single/couple pension based on whether or not you have a partner. Even if your partner is not eligible for the Age Pension, the fact that you have a partner means that you receive the couples pension rate.’
Val, Mel and Freddy all asked the same question, believing a partner on the Age Pension would receive a single pension until the other partner qualifies.
Which made us realise that this aspect of the Age Pension remains confusing.
Here’s a quick overview of the singles and couples Age Pension rates of payment and the rules which determine who gets what.
Rates of payment for full Age Pensions as at 20 September, 2023:
| Single (per fortnight) | Previous Amount | 20 September 2023 | Increase | |
| Base | $971.50 | $1002.50 | $31.00 | |
| Supplement | $78.40 | $80.10 | $1.70 | |
| Energy Supplement | $14.10 | $14.10 | – | |
| Total | $1,064.00 | $1,096.70 | $32.70 | |
| Couple (each, per fortnight) | ||||
| Base | $732.30 | $755.70 | $23.40 | |
| Supplement | $59.10 | $60.70 | $1.30 | |
| Energy Supplement | $10.60 | $10.60 | – | |
| Total | $802.00 | $826.70 | $24.70 |
Whether you are a single or a couple can affect every aspect of your entitlements including:
- if you get a payment
- the type of payment and
- the amount you receive.
You also don’t necessarily have to be living with a partner in order for Centrelink to view you as a couple. This is defined as:
- being married,
- in a registered relationship, or
- in a de facto relationship.
Apart from determining whether you are paid a single or couples rate of pension, relationship status also determines which income and asset thresholds you are tested against and therefore the rate you will be paid.
Those in a relationship who then separate, are considered to have become singles if there has been a physical and emotional separation. Such a separation includes partners who separate but continue to live in the same house, in which case a ‘separated under one roof’ declaration is required from each person.
Singles who share housing may also need to submit a ‘relationship details form’.
We were asked if relationships such as brother and sister, or mother and daughter, are classed as singles or couples. Steven Sadler confirms that Centrelink defines couples essentially as two people involved in a romantic relationship. Family members who live together are not considered to be couples.
And don’t forget …
You are required to inform Centrelink of any change in relationship circumstances. Should you not do so, and you receive more than your correct entitlement, you may be required to refund the amount and/or face other penalties. Such changes include couples who start a relationship – they too need to complete and return a ‘partner details form’.
If you are uncertain of your status, or how Centrelink rules might apply you can book a consultation. Our friendly team are always happy to explain the finer points of Centrelink regulations. You can also look at the difference in your entitlements based on your relationship status on our free Age Pension Entitlements Calculator.
What do you think?
Are these definitions and requirements fair?
If not, how would you like to see them changed?
I dont think it is fair why my husband only receives the couple pension when I am not working. Then as soon as I do some casual work to help pay rates rego etc we lose money from his pension
I have been in defacto relationship for 20years..we have 3 children and we will live in the Philippines…my wife would not be eligible for a pension however am I entitled to a couples pension..??
HI John, thanks for reaching out from the Philippines! Although your wife may not be eligible for the Age Pension (as you have said) that does not mean you are not. If you meet the applicable criteria then you could be eligible for up to $826 per f/n which is your 50% share of the couple’s Age Pension.
You state “You are required to inform Centrelink of any change in relationship circumstances”. My partner and I have now been waiting for over 3 months to get any payment from Centrelink, him applying for jobseeker (66 and injured) and me for the pension (73) with absolutely no income. We have been trying to find out why it is taking so long, eg maybe more information is required?? We live 80klms from the nearest centrelink / services Australia office so we ring but every time we ring the message is all operators are busy goodbye and the line goes dead or we wait anything up to 50 minutes before the line just drops out. Is it usual for it to take 3 months or more to get a payment please?? We are currently living off our credit card so have avoided driving into the office due to the cost of fuel
Hi Valerie, thank you for sharing your situation and I’m sorry hear hear how it has played out. For what it is worth you are not alone. Many of our customers are waiting 3 months just to get an assessor to look at their claim at the moment. When calling Centrelink I recommend you call them right on 8am when their lines open so that you can get through a little quicker and easier.
You wouldn’t have to wait for 3 months if you owed Centrelink money. They’d want it the next day!
My husband submitted his pension application on the 12th March this year, initial completion date was 29th April, that got blown out and he has been receiving texts every week to say “in progress” , still waiting 🙁 Centrelink office didn’t want to know, couldn’t care less, told to go away and “you’ll just have to wait”, we are running out of savings too, It is disgusting that you work hard all your life and basically have to be treated like a Dole bludger, Centrelink is disgraceful and the whole system seriously needs an overhaul.
A dole bludger get a full pension plus plus
Maybe contact your local (Federal) member, it’s disgraceful that you are forced into this position by their processing times.
not fair that it is still viewed that two can live cheaper than a single .
I am a single pensioner trying ingredients to pay off my mortgage, so I am working part time – 20 hours a,week. Centrelink recently, without warning cut my pension from $10094 to $195 as they said I’d used up my bonus and I am earning too much money which is $1020 per fortnight. this has been so hard, as I pay mortgage and bills and leaves me a small amount to live on. I have been a single Mum, raised all 3 children to adults and never asked the Hovernment for assistance. I’m grateful to be getting a pension, but to only be allowed to earn $300 pf is extremely unfair, especially when life is so expensive. I’d like to see more freedom given to pensioners who are able and who need to continue working to have a quality of life. thank you
How much can I earn fortnightly extra if I was receiving the full single aged pension each fortnight
Hi Johnene, thank you for your question! I can give you a rough figure but as with most things to do with Centrelink the specific answer has a few ifs, buts and maybes. As a guide you can earn earn the minimum allowable threshold ($204 p/fn) + the work bonus ($300 p/fn) so $504 total. However you will likely have some deemed income from your financial assets that would need to be factored in and therefore the amount you could earn with no impact would be less than $500. The best thing to do is LOGIN and use our calculator to enter in your assets and income as they currently are, then change the levels of income up and down to see at what point it begins impacting the amount of Age Pension you are eligible for.
Each person should be treat as an individual and receive the same amount whether or not they made married or single. They way it stands at the moment opens up for people to be deceitful and claim single status even if they are ‘together’. Unfortunately economically with the cost of living this could force people to be deceitful.
Yes, you’d be amazed how many women I have gotten into a conversation with in social groups who are actually in de facto relationships with men and receiving support but they claim Single status. It’s not fair for the openly married folk who do the right thing but in many cases don’t get any financial support from their partners.
Can a pensioner get rental assistance from Centrelink?
Hi Lucy, thanks for reaching out! Yes both singles and couples can get Rent Assistance from Centrelink. Thankfully there isn’t even any additional paperwork to fill, Centrelink will ask the applicable questions to clarify if the applicant(s) is entitled or not and then pay it automatically upon approval.
I agree the aged pension amount is completely inadequate, we have both worked since being 15 years old, I am a pensioner and want to continue working a couple of days a week, last fortnight I worked an extra 2 days and was paid $334 extra for those 2 days and we lost $300 from our pension because of it, not good enough, we definitely need the amount we can earn to be much higher than it is, when employers are needing experienced staff and older people want to work, we shouldn’t be penalised for getting off our butt.
Hi Steven.
I was refused rental assistance as I have a half share in a house where I no longer live but my ex partner still lives in it & pays me nothing. Centrelink deemed this as an asset even though I now receive no income from it., I’m renting a unit in another town & they also took my whole pension away initially because of this asset. After further consultation I was put onto a social worker who was able to have it reinstated. I was being left with no other choice than to go back to an abusive relationship. I’m having to pay $430 PW for my freedom with no other assets other than my furniture.
Hi Kathryn, thank you for sharing your experience and I am sorry at how it turned out. You are correct that Rent Assistance is cancelled if/when Age Pension payments are cancelled however I’m glad to hear that the social worker was able to have your payment reinstated.
dont forget that if you are working part time AND receiving the pension that BOTH incomes are added together at end of financial year so you will get a tax bill…i just got one for over $3000
The limit to what you can earn when on the full pension is ridiculous and counter productive. We hear all the time about a shortage of workers and small businesses struggling to find staff, especially in the regional areas. Well I and many other pensioners are able bodied and would love to either keep working part time or take on the odd seasonal job. The way this is treated by Centrelink I would not dream of bothering, I’m too scared to because I don’t trust them – I keep thinking of the Robo debt scam and how totally nasty and inhumane that was, and I don’t believe the leopard has changed it’s spots very much since then. As one of the remarks in this article shows, earn a dollar or two more and whammo they hit you in the hip pocket. I’m a wasted resource!
The Seniors Pension can only be described as nothing other than a joke! It is a disgrace!
I have worked and been employed since being 16 years of age, have never been unemployed, paid for my own education plus my Industrial Qualifications and Certifications, paid Income Taxes all my working life, served in the volunteer Emergency Services 7 years and the Australian Army 9 years, I don’t drink or smoke and now, after all one has done to be a clean model citizen and put back into society, he is expected to certainly struggle with the ridiculous rising costs of living on this joke of a Seniors Pension, $632 a week!!! it is nothing other than an insult!
What is a senior’s pension? I have heard of a senior’s card, Commonwealth seniors’ health care card, but not a senior pension. Please explain.
Hi Steve, thank you for your comment. I’m fairly certain James was referring to the Age Pension but simply misspoke and called it a “Senior’s Pension”.
I have tried and tried with centrelink but I don’t get an answer.
I started a relationship this year and told centrelink. I was transferred from a single disability pension to a couple, BUT I only get half of the payment. My new partner should get the other half but she does not. Because she is not of pension age, or have a disability, I was told that she will not get paid.
Centrelink then said she needs to be on a centrelink payment to qualify for getting the other 50% of my couples pension. I was told to tell her to go on job seeker. So she did even though she wasn’t looking for a job (I was going to try to support us). But she still doesn’t get the other 50% of my pension, she gets a reduced job seeker payment because I, her partner) get money in my pension.
I call the disability line and they don’t know anything about job seeker payments so transfer me. The job seeker line doesn’t know anything about pension payments and transfer me back.
So when Steven wrote “Even if your partner is not eligible for the Age Pension, the fact that you have a partner means that you receive the couples pension rate.’” is only half right, as the pensioner only gets half the couples payment.
Hi Keith, thank you for sharing your experience with Centrelink and I’m sorry it has been so unhelpful. Regarding the payments to couples when only one is eligible yes you are right that the one who is eligible receives only their 50% share of the couples’ pension, they cannot receive their ineligible partners’ share. My original comment didn’t specify this (for which I apologise for the confusion caused) because I was referring to which pension rate is applicable to the situation (single vs couple) and not specifically how much pension they should receive.
The last increase in the pension is laughable … where is going to get you?
The lieng creten of a PM promised a reduction in energy but all I’ve seen is an increase.
The pension doesn’t even cover the rent which is $835 a week…. give me a break!!!!!
A single pension is below the average breadline. It is a constant issue to pay the regular bills! A decent increase to finally catch up would make such a difference. The single pension is lagging further and further behind! I don’t understand that the powers that be don’t realise that. Don’t want to complain but I feel it seriously needs to be looked at!!!!!
Hi I’m currently 68 and my wife is 64. I receive single part pension.
My question is am I entitled to any couples pension in this instance. My wife does not work.
Hi Stefan, thank you for joining the conversation! I think you may misunderstand the payment you are currently on. As per the article you receive the single/couple pension based on whether or not you are in a relationship with someone. As such the fact that you are married would mean that you are actually on the couples’ pension, not the single, unless you declared to Centrelink that you are single? You will not receive the FULL couples’ pension because it is paid 50/50 between you and her and as she is not yet age eligible you will only receive your 50% of the couples pension.
The interesting thing reading these various comments and the great responses, is that you will need a 10 yr old with tech savvy skills (that is most 10 yr old’s), to navigate Centrelink and possibly many other websites that give assistance to pensioners. At 67 and working full time (for various reasons), I do not look forward to Centrelink at any stage.
In response to James Lee I also have worked,volunteer ,employed many people and paid both personal and company taxes all my life and because I have never been a drain on the government coffers I am means tested to ensure I am ineligible to recieve the meagre pittance offered in the pension.
If this country like many others allowed its citizens to recieve (what should be a reward for their contribution to the country) and work if they wish to or are capable of while still recieving the benifits.
The tax paid would cover what they had to pay out ,the added work income would allow people to tarvel and spend money around the country while the government got their GST and we could have enough to contine paying for health benifits and not be again a drain on the medicare system . There would also be experienced,willing workers who would remain in the system.
How come our politician cannot see the value in such a decision.
They can’t see that value because they are too busy giving themselves a pay rise while ensuring they have every imaginable perk to their job in operation before they get voted out of office for not fulfilling a single lying promise or pledge made when asking the population to vote for them!
I have worked for sixty years of my life, have saved enough to buy our home, but as my wife receives $1500 p/fnight from her super(Tax paid on it) I can only receive a little over $100 per week. I would be better off not owning my home and paying all the outgoings, receiving rental assistance etc, not being reliant on my wife for a handout(seldom) so the way to go is to forego success, not work and receive full pensions which the Government is trying to phase out. AND hopefully get Govt assistance in a CARE home.(Im over 70)These days if you are a success you will pay about $1M to get into a care home and when you die if there’s is anything left, your family will get the residue, pay tax on it after the Govt. has taken a percentage cut.
I worked 55 years, gladly paid all taxes, never a day on the dole. Come to pension time and I’m not entitled to full pension. Become a dole bludger forever, get full pension plus rental assist plus med, over $1,200 with other singles living in the same house in commission.
Hi Steven
I’m not sure I agree with your observation that because you are married Centrelink automatically pays you as a couple, although it is a confusing issue (as is everything with Centerlink). One important point being overlooked in the discussion is that if both partners are eligible, a couple has to make it clear that they are applying as a couple in order to receive the correct rate.
When I retired I made the mistake of not ticking a box in my online application form that my application was for a couple. Because of all the information they wanted about my partner’s situation I presumed that they were treating this as a joint application. I was assessed as eligible for a part-pension but only found out 3 months later when we inquired why my partner had not received her own pension card and I had, that my partner hadn’t been included. We were told that she had to make her own separate application.
We were told that this is a common application pitfall that many people fall into.
The confusion is the paper application form has no box to tick, but the online application form does. People need to be clear about this.
Several staff acknowledged that this had been a trap for many applicants. But despite acknowledging that I made an innocent error they refused to backdate my partner’s application to the same date as mine.
Hi Ian, thanks for keeping me honest! The big confusion comes from the difference between the type of claim being lodged (single vs couple) and who is that type of claim being lodged for (both or only one). In your scenario the type of claim you lodged was a couple’s claim (as you are in a relationship) but that couples’ claim was only lodged for yourself (not you and your wife). Therefore upon approval you began receiving your share of the couples pension rate (because it was a couples’ claim) however you wife did not receive anything because the claim was only lodged for yourself and not both of you. So Centrelink do/did automatically pay the couple’s rate but only to the person who applied and not their partner. Whilst you would presume that if both members of a couple are eligible Centrelink would automatically apply for and pay both of them, unfortunately this is not so as yourself and so many others find out the hard way.
Hi yes, just wanted to say we fell into the pit when applying for the pension, I understood that I was applying for my husband and myself, it was months later that we realised our part pension was only for my husband. My husband at the time was 72 and I was 68, six months later he suffered a massive stroke and is now disabled and I am his full time caregiver how does the work bonus entitlement help us when neither of us can take on part time work.
Hi Catherine, thanks you for seeking further clarity! Unfortunately the work bonus only offsets employment income so if you are unable to work then it is of no use or benefit to either of you.
Why government ministers are not treated same as every hard working Australian. Why they have guaranteed pension and hard working Australians get nothing if they have hard earned assets or savings. This government makes me sick.
There is so much confusion about the eligibility and rates for couples, and so much fraud over who is single, that it would solve many problems if each applicant was treated as an individual.
thankyou for explaining the single/couple payment. My husband is 76 getting a reduced pension, I am 62 self funded retiree. Can you explain my husbands pension card which also has my name on it. Can I use it for doctor bulk billing/utility discounts ect?
Hi Tanya, thanks for your question! Technically speaking only your husband is “entitled” to concessions however I can speak on behalf of many customers who have told us that their younger, ineligible, partners’ have used their card many times for their own medical expenses and had the concession applied. We suggest you try as you have nothing to lose, the worst that can happen is you are told no, they don’t penalise you further.
Could you tell me, the threshold for Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card, is based on the Total Gross amount on the Income statements?
Hi Mary, thank you for raising your query with us! You can use the total gross income as a guide however there other factors that Centrelink take into consideration which may mean the income Centrelink assess you as earning is different. The only way to know for sure is to complete an application either with a provider such as us or Centrelink themselves where you answer each of the specific questions.
Everybody should be entitled to a single pension regarding marital status. Couples that have age differences are totally disadvantaged with the current system. When you reach pension age you should be able to have a singles pension until both of you are pension age. Then you could shift to a couple’s pension. When neither of you are working and one is pension age, and one is not you have to live on half the couple’s pension of 826.70 a fortnight. If the current pension system can’t be changed then you should be able to have a combined super scheme. This would make all banking and down drawing simpler.
hi i am on the single pension since august 2021 female after i finished work at 67 this is my only income. my husband and i separated in 2017 which i told centrelink when i applied for the age pension.. i live alone but am still goodfriends with my ex. i have let him keep using my address for his drivers license tax etc as he stays with his sisters some mates moves around a lot and in the car etc. and doesnt really have a permanent address. he has emphysema and i think i will allow him to come back home to me next year when he turns 67 to look after him to do the right thing and i am a softy. i will then contact centrelink to let them know he has returned and we would go on a couples pension. will this be okay and will i make an appt before he returns or wait till he actually turns 67 and physically comes back to my unit. he is working sporadically but doesnt make much but will stop next year if he comes back to my place as it is not doing his emphysema any good with the dust from his work. we have no joint assets at all and separate bank acs tax etc and i own the unit that i bought myself over the years. i want to d0 the correct thing with centrelink could you please advise what would be best to do. thank you very much.
Hi Jane, thank you for sharing your situation with us. What you have proposed is not a bad idea but there is a potentially better way. Centrelink acknowledge situations where couples’ separate in terms of their relationship but remain living together as friends. They call it “Separated Under One Roof”. There is an applicable form that you and your ex would need to complete a copy of each however doing so means that you can both be assessed as two singles who live together rather then as a couple. Neither of your finances would impact the other and you would both receive the maximum amount of Age Pension.
Hi Steven,
I have just retired and about to claim for the Age Pension. I have a partner who is Filipino and lives in the Philippines but I’m tempted to just apply as a single person (less complicated). Is this a bad idea?
Hi Harry, I strongly recommend you declare your relationship and include your partner’s details in your claim. As there is a difference in the amount of Age Pension singles can receive vs couples, when Centrelink find out later that you were in a relationship they will go back to the day your payments started and recalculate how much extra you have been paid that you were not entitled to and raise the debt with you.
HI Steven, next year i will be applying for the age pension from Malta and i am married but my wife is 3 years younger then me. as from what i am reading i have to apply as a couple and get couples rate , does that mean i will get part of the rate and my wife gets the other half. so around 841dollars each pfn. Thanks
Hi John, the answer to your question is that you would apply as a couple but you will only receive your 50% share of the pension. As your wife is under Age Pension age she will not receive any pension payments for another 3 years. Once she turns of age you then need to apply again for her and yes she will then receive her 50% share of payments.
Please note though that Centrelink have a rule that you must be living in Australia on the day you lodge your claim (SOURCE), furthermore if you were previously living in another country and return to Australia to live just to get your Age Pension approved, you are expected to remain in Australia for 2 years from your return date, before travelling overseas again (SOURCE).
Hi Steven,I left Australia in 2013 for malta to stay for good and next year i am going to apply for the age pension . now i lived in Australia for 23 years. Will i be assessed on 25 years residency or 35 years. Since i left before 1 July 2014 when they changed it. Thanks
Hi John, as far as we are aware there is no ‘grandfathering’ whereby you can remain assessed under the previous rules and you would be assessed on the 23-25 years not the 35 years. As per my reply to your other comment though, please note that Centrelink have a rule that you must be living in Australia on the day you lodge your claim (SOURCE), furthermore if you were previously living in another country and return to Australia to live just to get your Age Pension approved, you are expected to remain in Australia for 2 years from your return date, before travelling overseas again (SOURCE).