by James Coyle | Mar 4, 2022 | Centrelink Age Pension
There’s a lot happening with the Age Pension at the moment. In less than two weeks the scheduled March 20 increases to the base rate will be announced and implemented. And on March 29 the Federal Government will hand down its FY 2022-2023 Budget. With an election...
by James Coyle | Feb 28, 2022 | Planning for Retirement
This is another instance where the onus is on you to get your application right. In Jargonbusters we explain the detail of age-related Age Pension eligibility. In the ‘old days’ it was easy – it was simply 65. Now it depends upon your year of birth. But whenever your...
by James Coyle | Feb 28, 2022 | Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
As we’ve reported previously, about one third of Australians are self-funded in retirement. It is largely for this cohort that a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) was introduced, helping those who will not receive an Age Pension to similar pharmaceutical,...
by James Coyle | Feb 28, 2022 | Centrelink Age Pension
You will need to pass two forms of assessment before The Age Pension is granted. One is the incomes test, the other the assets test. There is little leeway in reporting income, which is generally wages, salary, dividends or rent as well as income deemed by Centrelink....
by James Coyle | Feb 28, 2022 | Retirement Income
With record low interest rates many retirees may have felt very comfortable carrying a mortgage into retirement. The monthly repayments are as low as they’ve been for decades and it means that keeping a higher amount in super or cash deposits ensures ready access for...
by James Coyle | Feb 28, 2022 | Retirement Advice
A mature couple standing outside and thinking This is nobody’s business but your own, you may think. But when it comes to retirement there is a big dividend to be gained from knowing and responding to the rules. First up, it helps to know that you are entitled to...
by James Coyle | Feb 25, 2022 | Centrelink Age Pension
Defining retirement age may seem like a no brainer, but it’s actually a tricky definition. Put simply, there is no such thing as retirement age. Technically you can retire at any age you like, should your circumstances permit. But if you wish to apply for an Age...
by James Coyle | Feb 25, 2022 | Centrelink Age Pension
One of the simplest ways of increasing retirement income can also be one of the most difficult. This is because the strategies – maximising entitlements – come with so many complex rules that many retirees are currently underpaid in retirement. And this does not just...
by James Coyle | Feb 25, 2022 | Centrelink Age Pension
Centrelink is pursuing overpayments again As we reported in December 2021, Services Australia granted welfare recipients, including Age Pensioners, a debt reprieve until January 2022. The Minister, Linda Reynolds, stated at the time that debt recovery programs would...
by James Coyle | Feb 18, 2022 | Centrelink Age Pension
It’s easy to become confused when trying to understand how your assets might affect your retirement income. Are they personal assets? Assessable assets? Or deemable assets? There are many ways of defining assets, and there can be a lot at stake if you misunderstand or...
