Here’s what you’ll get
The twice-yearly Age Pension increase is due to land on 20 March 2025. We reported in mid-February our predictions for singles and couples, and we’re pleased to say our predictions were correct within a few cents. The table below shows the increases, as confirmed by the Federal Government, including supplements for singles and couples.
March Age Pension increases
The Federal Government has confirmed the new payment rates from 20 March 2025 for recipients of the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, and Carer Payments. Singles can expect a total increase of $4.60 a fortnight and couples can expect a (combined) total increase of $7.00 a fortnight.
Single
| Single per fortnight | Current | 20 March 2025 | Increase per fortnight |
| Maximum basic rate | $1047.10 | $1051.30 | $4.20 |
| Maximum Pension supplement | $83.20 | $83.60 | $0.40 |
| Energy Supplement | $14.10 | $14.10 | $0.00 |
| Total | $1144.40 | $1149.00 | $4.60 |
Couple
| Couple combined per fortnight | Current | 20 March 2025 | Increase per fortnight |
| Maximum basic rate | $1578.60 | $1585.00 | $6.40 |
| Maximum Pension supplement | $125.40 | $126.00 | $0.60 |
| Energy Supplement | $21.20 | $21.20 | $0.00 |
| Total | $1725.20 | $1732.20 | $7.00 |
Are thresholds also going up?
Yes they are. The upper (disqualifying) threshold has increased. This will mean some people that previously just missed out on qualifying might now be eligible for some Age Pension and the accompanying supplements. It’s worth checking on our free Age Pension eligibility calculator. We have already updated it with the new rates and thresholds. Unfortunately there has been no further change to the income threshold for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
Here’s how the income and assets thresholds have changed for the Age Pension.
Pension Disqualifying Income Limits
| Family Situation – Resident (per fortnight) | Current | 20 March 2025 | Increase per fortnight |
| Single | $2,500.80 | $2,510.00 | $9.20 |
| Couple (combined) | $3,822.40 | $3836.40 | $14.00 |
| Illness-separated (couple combined) | $4,949.60 | $4968.00 | $18.40 |
Pension Disqualifying Assets Limits
| Family Situation – Resident | Current | 20 March 2025 | Increase per fortnight |
| Single, homeowner | $695,500 | $697,000 | $1,500 |
| Single, non-homeowner | $947,500 | $949,000 | $1,500 |
| Couple (combined), homeowner | $1,045,500 | $1,047,500 | $2,000 |
| Couple (combined), non-homeowner | $1,297,500 | $1,299,500 | $2,000 |
Which other payments will rise?
The Commonwealth Rental Assistance(CRA) has also been increased, albeit by a minute amount, as follows:
Rent Assistance – for payments under the Social Security Act
Maximum Payment
| Family Situation | Current | 20 March 2025 | Increase per fortnight |
| Single | $211.20 | $212.00 | $0.80 |
| Single, sharer | $140.80 | $141.33 | $0.53 |
| Couple | $199.00 | $199.80 | $0.80 |
| Partnered, illness-separated | $211.20 | $212.00 | $0.80 |
| Partnered, temporarily separated | $199.00 | $199.80 | $0.80 |
Rent Threshold
| Family Situation | Current | 20 March 2025 | Increase per fortnight |
| Single | $149.00 | $149.60 | $0.60 |
| Single, sharer | $149.00 | $149.60 | $0.60 |
| Couple | $241.40 | $242.40 | $1.00 |
| Partnered, illness-separated | $149.00 | $149.60 | $0.60 |
| Partnered, temporarily separated | $149.00 | $149.60 | $0.60 |
Rent Ceiling
| Family Situation | Current | 20 March 2025 | Increase per fortnight |
| Single | $430.60 | $432.27 | $1.67 |
| Single, sharer | $336.74 | $338.05 | $1.31 |
| Couple | $506.74 | $508.80 | $2.06 |
| Partnered, illness-separated | $430.60 | $432.27 | $1.67 |
| Partnered, temporarily separated | $414.34 | $416.00 | $1.66 |
Deeming Rates
There are no changes to the deeming rates, with current rates remaining frozen until 30 June 2025.
Can we help?
Do these changes raise questions for you? If so, it may help to talk to an Age Pension Specialist? You can do so in a 30-minute consultation which will:
- Assist you with any Centrelink entitlements questions you may have.
- Help you with specific circumstances relating to your Centrelink entitlements
- Provide confidence that you understand Centrelink’s rules and their impact on you.
- Help you understand more about the application process.
Retirement Essentials charges $155 upfront for our consultation discussion.
If you would like to check your Age Pension eligibility under the new rates and thresholds, you can do so using Retirement Essentials free Age Pension Eligibility Calculator. Our calculator will be updated with the latest rates by 20 March.
Does this increase help?
Is your household managing ongoing price increases?
Does the 20 March increase to full and part Age Pensions help at all?
Or is it time for a big boost to the base rate?
I’ll try not to spend it all at once
How demoralising. We have both worked in excess of 50 years each and are very lucky we don’t have a mortgage. HBF alone has increased by $6.70 a fortnight. We certainly don’t get looked after especially when we have contributed so much.
They must have forgotten it’s an election year.
$4.60 per fortnight for a single person – all I can say is WHAT A JOKE .
We still get a raise every 6 months, which is a lot more than most workers get. With all the extras, I don’t think we do too badly.
Woolies have kiwi fruit $2.36, alas your weekly increase is $2.30 for a single. Pension should be tied to same % as national wage case increases
you voted these muppett!s in bend over here they come again
Absolutely disgraceful
others have said what a joke. here’s the joke – Our super benefit does not change, and it is modest, yet still saving the government a stack of money and Chalmers wants to direct how super funds will invest your money, but between my wife and myself, the total amount of the pension increase to us amounted to – $0.42, yes $0.21 cents each.