Age Pension and government benefits

Last updated: 28 September 2026

The Age Pension and other government support may help boost your retirement income.

Understanding the Age Pension

The Age Pension is a fortnightly government payment that helps with living costs in retirement. Whether you can get it depends on your age, how long you've lived in Australia, your income and your assets.

Generally, to be eligible for the Age Pension, you must meet the following:

• Age: be age 67 or over.
• Residency: be an Australian resident and have lived in Australia for at least 10 years. At least 5 of these years must be without a break in residence.
• Finances: There’s a limit on the amount of income you can earn and the value of assets you own. We explain this in more detail below.

Age pension age and retirement

Age Pension age is 67 years or older. The age at which you can access your super is from age 60 if you're retired or leave a job, and from age 65 whether you're still working or not. There are also some other circumstances where you may be able to access your super at a different age.

Age Pension income test

This test measures your income (how much money you earn).

If your income is above a certain limit, your pension payment will be reduced, or you may not be eligible at all. The limit depends on whether you’re single or whether you have a partner.

Your income includes money from:

• employment
• income streams
• annuities
• investments
• earnings outside Australia
• salary packaging.

See Services Australia's information about the Age Pension income test to check current income limits. It explains how your income is calculated and what the thresholds are.

Age Pension assets test

This test measures the value of the assets you own.

Your assets can include: 

• investment properties
• caravans, cars and boats
• financial investments
• business assets.

Your main family home generally isn't counted as an asset if you live in it. However, selling your home could affect your pension.

If you have any assets overseas, their value will be converted into the equivalent Australian dollar amount.

See Services Australia's information about the Age Pension assets test to check which assets count and the current limits. It explains the types of assets included in the test and the value of assets you can have and still be eligible for Age Pension.

Age Pension rates and payment amounts

How much you get depends on your income and assets tests, and whether you're single or in a couple.

The current maximum basic Age Pension rate for:

• singles is $1,135.40 a fortnight or $29,520.40 a year

• couples is $1,711.80 a fortnight or $44,506.80 a year (combined).

These amounts do not include supplements.

The Department of Social Services adjusts these rates every 20 March and 20 September. Check Services Australia for current Age Pension rates, supplements and payment details. 

If you get the Age Pension, tell Centrelink about any changes to your income, assets or other circumstances. 

Benefits linked to the Age Pension

If you get the Age Pension, you may be eligible for other related benefits:

• Centrepay - a free direct bill paying service available as a regular deduction from your Centrelink payments.
• Work Bonus - a scheme that helps you earn more without reducing your pension.
• Pension supplement - a regular extra payment to help with utility, phone, internet and medicine costs
• Rent assistance - a regular extra amount to help you cover the cost of your accommodation costs.
• Utilities allowance - a quarterly payment to help with household bills.
• Pensioner Concession Card - a concession card to get cheaper health care, medicines and some discounts. We cover concession cards in more detail below.

Other government payments

For information about veterans pensions, see pensions and payments on the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) website.

Use Centrelink's Payment Finder to see what other government payments you may be able to get, including Carer Allowance.

Concession cards

The following cards provide seniors, retirees and pensioners with discounts on things like health care, transport and utilities.

Pensioner Concession Card

This gives you cheaper healthcare, medicines and some discounts.

You can get the Pensioner Concession Card if you get the Age Pension or other payments from Centrelink.

You don't need to apply for the card. Services Australia automatically sends you the card if you're eligible. 

State and territory seniors cards

These cards offer discounts on public transport and some goods and services.

Most states and territories require you to be at least 60 years old, but age and work rules vary. 

Check the requirements of your state or territory:

• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Western Australia

Commonwealth Seniors Health Card

This card can help lower the cost of prescriptions and medical appointments.

You must:

• be of Age Pension age
• meet an income test
• not receive Centrelink payments, including the Age Pension.

See Services Australia's information on the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.

Other government support for older Australians

Government loan and advance options

You may also be eligible for Services Australia loans:

• Home Equity Access Scheme — use your property as security for a loan that’s paid as a lump sum amount, or as a fortnightly amount. This can help top up your retirement income.
• Advance payment — get part of your pension payment in advance to help cover immediate expenses.

Tax offsets

You may be eligible for additional tax offsets, depending on your age, income, and eligibility for government pensions.

See the Australian Tax Office's information about seniors and pensioners tax offsets.

Low cost banking

If you have a Pensioner Concession Card or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, you may be eligible for a low cost, basic bank account. Check with your bank.