There are different rates of Age Pension payments for single people and couples. Your rate also depends on your income, assets, and other circumstances
Family Situation
Pension rates (per fortnight)
Single
Couple each
Couple combined
Couple each separated due to ill health
Maximum basic rate
$776.70
$585.50
$1,171.00
$776.70
Maximum Pension Supplement
$63.50
$47.90
$95.80
$63.50
Energy Supplement
$14.10
$10.60
$21.20
$14.10
TOTAL
$854.30
$644.00
$1,288.00
$854.30
Income test for pensions
Single, couple combined, illness separated (couple combined) pensioners
For homeowners full pension assets must be less than
For non-homeowners full pension assets must be less than
Single
$202,000
$348,500
Couple combined
$286,500
$433,000
Illness separated couple combined
$286,500
$433,000
One partner eligible, combined assets
$286,500
$433,000
Assets test limits for part pensions
Family situation
For homeowners part pension assets must be less than
For non-homeowners part pension assets must be less than
Single
$771,750
$918,250
Couple combined
$1,145,500
$1,292,000
Illness separated couple combined
$1,426,000
$1,572,500
One partner eligible, combined assets
$1,145,000
$1,292,000
DVA service and age pension
Current maximum rates
Singles rate
Pension
$776.70
Pension Supplement
$77.60
Total
$854.30
Couples rate
Pension (each)
$585.50
Pension Supplement (each)
$58.50
Total (each)
$644.00
Note: Energy Supplement may also be payable. Refer to Factsheet CEP01 Energy Supplement.CEP01 Energy Supplement
Transition maximum rates
Singles rate
$ 720.90
Couples rate (each)
$ 581.40
Note: Energy Supplement may also be payable. Refer to Factsheet CEP01 Energy Supplement For pensioners paid under pre-20 September 2009 rules, the Pension Supplement is included in the transition rate of Service / Age Pension that you receive. As such, your DVA advice letters will not separately list a Pension Supplement amount.
Income Support Supplement (ISS)
Ceiling rate
$ 256.00
Transition Ceiling rate
$ 256.00
Seniors Supplement
War widow(er) pensioner
Singles rate (per quarter)
$221.65
Couples rate combined (per quarter)
$334.10
Note: The rate for war widow(er) pensioners is lower because the component of the seniors supplement rate relating to energy supplement is, instead, included in the fortnightly war widow(er) pension rate.
Not a war widow(er) pensioner
Singles rate (per quarter)
$309.86
Couples rate combined (per quarter)
$466.72
Note: This amount includes the energy supplement.
Seniors Supplement is paid in four instalments of approximately one-quarter of the annual rate at the time. The actual amount paid is based on the number of days in the quarter and the number of days in the test period that you are eligible.
Note: For Service and Social Security Age pensioners with dependent children, Rent Assistance is considered a child-related payment and is paid as part of Family Tax Benefit Part A through the Family Assistance Office.
Disability income rent test - income threshold
Singles
$ 160.00
Couples (combined)
$ 284.00
Illness separated couples (combined)
$ 284.00
Note: Disability Pension in excess of these thresholds reduces the amount of Rent Assistance payable but does not affect the rate of Service Pension or Income Support Supplement.
Remote Area Allowance
Singles rate
$ 18.20
Couples rate (each)
$ 15.60
Each child
$ 7.30
Family Tax Benefit
Family Tax Benefit may be paid to income support pensioners in respect of dependent children.
Veterans' Affairs income support pensioners receive the maximum rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A irrespective of their income. If income support is not received for a period of time, the normal income test for FTB A will apply during that period. This may result in less than the maximum rate of payment being received until the DVA benefit becomes payable again.
Application for and enquiries about payment of this benefit should be made to the Family Assistance Office, which is located in all Medicare offices, Centrelink outlets and ATO access and enquiry sites. You can also visit their Internet site at: www.familyassist.gov.au
Recreation Transport Allowance
High rate
$ 85.40
Low rate
$ 42.60
Vehicle Assistance Scheme
Maintenance and running costs
$2,220.40 (per year)
Attendant Allowance
High rate
$ 319.80
Low rate
$ 159.70
Clothing Allowance
High rate
$ 13.40
Mid rate
$ 9.10
Low rate
$ 6.20
Veterans' Children Education Scheme (VCES)
Primary students
$ 258.80 (per year)
Secondary and tertiary students (fortnightly rate)
Age
At home
Living away from home
Homeless
Under 16
$ 53.70
$ 364.20
$ 433.80
>16-17
$ 237.50
$ 433.80
$ 433.80
>18 & over
$ 285.60
$ 433.80
$ 433.80
Decoration Allowance
Decoration Allowance
$ 2.10
Victoria Cross Allowance
Victoria Cross Allowance of $4,256 per annum is paid to those veterans who have been awarded this decoration.
Income limit before Service and Social Security Age Pension reduces
Current limits
Singles
$160.00
Couples (combined)
$284.00
Illness separated couples (combined)
$284.00
Note: These figures may be higher if your assessable employment income is reduced under the Work Bonus. For more information refer to the Factsheet IS99 Work Bonus.
Transition Limits
For each child, increase above limits by
$24.60
Work Bonus
Work Bonus Income Concession
$250
Maximum balance for Work Bonus Bank
$6,500.00
Assets limit before Service and Social Security Age Pension reduces
Homeowners
Singles
$202,000
Couples (combined)
$286,500
Illness separated couples (combined)
$286,500
Non-homeowners
Singles
$348,500
Couples (combined)
$433,000
Illness separated couples (combined)
$433,000
Service and Social Security Age Pension income cut-off limit
Current limits
Singles
$1,868.60
Couples (combined)
$2,860.00
Illness separated couples (combined)
$3,701.20
Note: These figures may be higher if your assessable employment income is reduced under the Work Bonus. For more information refer to the Factsheet IS99 Work Bonus.
Transition Limits
Singles
$1,962.25
Couples (combined)
$3,191.00
Illness separated couples (combined)
$3,888.50
Service & Social Security Age Pension assets cut-off limit
Current Limits
Homeowner
Singles
$771,750
Couples (combined)
$1,145,500
Illness separated couples (combined)
$1,426,000
Non-homeowner
Singles
$918,250
Couples (combined)
$1,292,000
Illness separated couples (combined)
$1,572,500
Transition Limits
Homeowner
Singles
$682,750
Couples (combined)
$1,062,000
Illness separated couples (combined)
$1,248,000
Non-homeowner
Singles
$829,250
Couples (combined)
$1,208,500
Illness separated couples (combined)
$1,394,500
Income and assets cut-off limit for the Gold Card for Service pensioners
Income
per fortnight
Singles
$399.20
Couples (combined)
$696.00
Assets
Homeowners
Singles
$281,750
Couples (combined)
$424,000
Assets
Non-homeowners
Singles
$428,250
Couples (combined)
$570,500
Transition Limits
Income
Singles
$459.00
Couples (combined)
$799.00
For each child, increase by
$24.60
Assets
Homeowners
Singles
$281,750
Couples (combined)
$424,000
Non-homeowners
Singles
$428,250
Couples (combined)
$570,500
Income limit before ISS reduces
Current Limits
Singles
$1,328.40
Couples (combined)
$1,793.60
Illness separated couples (combined)
$2,620.80
Note 1: These amounts include the War Widow's or Widower's Pension.
Note 2: These figures may be higher if your assessable employment income is reduced under the Work Bonus. For more information refer to the Factsheet IS99 Work Bonus.
Note 3: War Widow's or Widower's Pension includes compensation for a member's death payable to you or your partner under section 234(1)(b) of the MRCA. Any MRCA permanent impairment compensation payable to you or your partner is also counted as income.
Note 4: These amounts will vary if you were in receipt of a Social Security and War Widow's Pension prior to 1 November 1986 and your maximum rate of Income Support Supplement is more than $ 256.00 per fortnight.
Transition Limits
Singles
$1,287.00
Couples (combined)
$1,858.00
Illness separated couples (combined)
$2,538.00
For each child, increase by
$24.60
Note 1: These amounts include the War Widow's or Widower's Pension.
Note 2: War Widow's or Widower's Pension includes compensation for a member's death payable to you or your partner under section 234(1)(b) of the MRCA. Any MRCA permanent impairment compensation payable to you or your partner is also counted as income.
Note 3: These amounts will vary if you were in receipt of a Social Security and War Widow's Pension prior to 1 November 1986 and your maximum rate of Income Support Supplement is more than $ 256.00 per fortnight.
Assets limit before ISS reduces
Homeowners
Singles
$591,500
Couples (combined)
$790,000
Illness separated couples (combined)
$1,065,500
Non-homeowners
Singles
$738,000
Couples (combined)
$936,500
Illness separated couples (combined)
$1,212,000
Transition Limits
Homeowner
Singles
$502,750
Couples (combined)
$706,500
Illness separated couples (combined)
$888,000
Non-homeowner
Singles
$649,250
Couples (combined)
$853,000
Illness separated couples (combined)
$1,034,500
Income cut-off limit for ISS pensioners
Current Rates
Singles
$1,840.40
Couples (combined)
$2,817.60
Illness separated couples (combined)
$3,644.80
Note 1: These amounts include the War Widow's or Widower's Pension.
Note 2: These figures may be higher if your assessable employment income is reduced under the Work Bonus. For more information refer to the Factsheet IS99 Work Bonus.
Note 3: These amounts will vary if you were in receipt of a Social Security and War Widow's Pension prior to 1 November 1986 and your maximum rate of Income Support Supplement is more than $ 256.00 per fortnight.
Transition Rates
Singles
$1,927.00
Couples (combined)
$3,138.00
Illness separated couples (combined)
$3,818.00
Note 1: These amounts include the War Widow's or Widower's Pension..
Note 2: These amounts will vary if you were in receipt of a Social Security and War Widow's Pension prior to 1 November 1986 and your maximum rate of Income Support Supplement is more than $ 256.00 per fortnight.
Assets cut-off limit for ISS pensioners
Current Limits
Homeowner
Singles
$762,250
Couples (combined)
$1,131,500
Illness separated couples (combined)
$1,407,000
Non-homeowner
Singles
$908,750
Couples (combined)
$1,278,000
Illness separated couples (combined)
$1,553,500
Transition Limits
Homeowner
Singles
$673,250
Couples (combined)
$1,048,000
Illness separated couples (combined)
$1,229,000
Non-homeowner
Singles
$819,750
Couples (combined)
$1,194,500
Illness separated couples (combined)
$1,375,500
Income limits for student children / earnings limits for employed children
Employed Child (under 16 years)
$10,413.00 per year
Student Child (16-22 years)
$10,975.65 per year
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card income limit
Singles
$51,500 per year
Couples (combined)
$82,400 per year
Illness separated couples (combined)
$103,000 per year
Dependent child (each) increases limit
$639.60
Deeming
Singles
Couples
Low
2.0% interest up to the threshold of $48,000
2.0% interest up to the threshold of $79,600
High
3.5% interest for the remaining balance
3.5% interest for the remaining balance
Funeral benefits
Assistance of up to $2,000 is payable towards funeral expenses of certain veterans including T&PI veterans, those whose death is accepted as being war or service caused, and those who died in needy circumstances.
