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 .
pensions went up very little in 9 years under the coalition $57 over 9 years . I thought Labor would do better .but this cost of living rise is a absolute smack in the face where food and commodities have risen so much .it don’t even cover any increases .
pensioners are doing it tougher than families.
my grown up sons are still paying hefty mortgage payments caused by inflation. So they can’t afford to help me, they are struggling as single men themselves. don’t even get the full pension to what the rate scale says . as a widow this past year I still have the same bills as a couple.yes I do wonder if they realise an election is looming.
most over 70 year olds voted no in the referendum and that was even though 2 previous priministers put it on the back burner.knowing they would have a struggle to be re elected.Albo did what he promised to his own detriment the no voters hold that grudge. Even though he kept to his word.indigenous is a dirty word even though it is 65000 years of heritage that no country can make claim too.
I hope they do look back and realise and wake up .to the struggles we have espeacially single pensioners who still have the same bills as couples .
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.
Joke
What a wonderful generous government we have with giving pensioner couples an increase of 0.4% when inflation is currently running at 2.5% this amounts to an annual increase of 0.8 % where is the cost of living relief for pensioners?
With reported that 1in 4 old aged pensioners are living in poverty how does this minimal increase provide any assistance with making ends meet?
The government should be ashamed of their actions as we the old are constantly both forgotten and ignored.
I agree ABSOLUTELY in fact it is tantamount to a pension CUT.
The whole idea of indexation was to maintain the value of the pension. If inflation is running at 2.5 % and the pension increases by 0.04 that = a reduction
totally agree
Disgusting, disguised tax on inheritance.
How disgraceful of this Govt, first they take away the low income offset of $1500, which means very low income earners now have to pay tax and then they give you absolutely nothing in our Pension increase. Bet they gave themselves a huge pay increase??
My electricity bill has gone from .19 per kwh to .31 per kwh in the past year The increase in pension will probably cover 2 weeks of my power increase. Thank you NOT to this Govt.
I wonder if the politicians could survive on $1100 a fortnight? What makes them think old age folk can? We still have bills, and we do eat, we have pets, heaven help us if they get sick! Who can afford a vet!
Rent assistance increase of 0.80 ct, per fortnight
WOW I have always wanted to move to Point Piper
It is an absolute disgrace….why bother!!!
Woohoo our pension has gone up 1 carton of milk a week!!
I am very unhappy with the government as they have failed to wind back the Coalition’s punitive Income and Assets Tests and applied the Income Test in a discriminatory fashion which rewards people who are actually NOT retired but still receive Age Pension. It is pretty clear that neither of the major parties could give a stuff about pensioners. Now the state government is holding an inquiry as to why they cannot retain volunteers.