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 once Centrelink assessed them as a couple?
Owen owns his home, has $320,000 in super, $10,000 in cash, and $25,000 in assets. Laila works as a bookkeeper, has a unit with an $80,000 mortgage, and $278,000 in super. As she’s not yet Age Pension age, her super won’t count towards either her or Owen’s entitlements until she turns 67 or starts an Account-Based Pension (ABP).
They plan to live in Owen’s house and rent out Laila’s unit, expecting net income of $11,000 a year, which Centrelink will include as their combined income.
When on his own, Owen received $27,261 a year and drew $16,000 from super. As a couple, his Age Pension is estimated to reduce to $9,122 a year.
However, Laila’s income plus rent will add about $49,859 annually. With Owen’s drawdown, their household income should reach $74,981.
So while Owen’s personal Age Pension will shrink, together they’ll be financially stronger. Having a clear estimate helped them see the full picture and plan their next steps with confidence.
These details were confirmed during a Retirement Essentials Age Pension Consultation. The discussion encouraged the couple to review their income, assets, and personal circumstances against Centrelink’s rules, allowing them to understand what to expect due to their changed circumstances.
How Centrelink decides if you’re a couple
Centrelink assesses whether someone is part of a couple for social security purposes, which affects income and asset testing. The agency looks at five main factors:
- Finances: shared accounts, loans, or bills
- Household: living together and sharing responsibilities
- Social presentation: how you present yourselves to others
- Intimate relationship: the closeness of the personal relationship, including shared living arrangements or other evidence of a partnership
- Nature of the commitment: the level of emotional attachment and commitment
No single factor is decisive. Centrelink considers the overall picture when deciding if someone is a member of a couple. Knowing these factors can help singles provide accurate, consistent information from the start and avoid surprises in their Age Pension assessment.
How Centrelink knows
When you apply for the Age Pension, Centrelink asks about living arrangements, income, assets and relationship status. They may also verify information using official records such as tax returns you provide and previous Centrelink claims they have on record, to cross-check details. Centrelink does not routinely monitor social media or other aspects of your private life.
Being aware of the information that Centrelink takes into consideration can help you avoid stress, delays, or overpayment issues.
Age Pension rates and means tests
Centrelink combines both partners’ income and assets when assessing eligibility. If you are considered a member of a couple, you are paid at the partnered rate, and the total combined resources are tested. Even if one partner has little income or assets, it can affect the entitlements for both because it will all be added together for the tests as a couple.
Income and asset thresholds are higher for couples, but Age Pension rates differ. As at 1 July 2025, a single person on the full Age Pension receives $1,149 per fortnight. A couple together would receive $1,732 per fortnight, or $866 each.
Planning ahead
Being assessed as a couple doesn’t mean financial insecurity – it’s an opportunity to review your situation and make informed choices. Small adjustments, such as timing super drawdowns, structuring assets, or considering when to rent or sell property, can help you navigate this phase confidently.
Some questions to ponder:
- How would changes in my relationship status affect my Age Pension?
- What aspects of combined income and assets should I consider before moving in together?
- Do I need an estimate of how my Age Pension might change if I start a new relationship?
Seeking clarity with an Age Pension Consultation
If you’d like to understand how Centrelink’s rules apply to your own circumstances, an Age Pension Consultation can provide a clear, personalised estimate.
You may also wish to see a snapshot summary of your potential Age Pension entitlements. You can do so quickly and easily by using the free Retirement Essentials Age Pension Eligibility Calculator.
Do you agree with Centrelink’s criteria for being a couple?
Is there a better set of questions?
