Aged Care Pensions

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Centrelink

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

Singles

Fortnightly income	up to $160	over $160
Reduction in payment	none - full payment	50 cents for each dollar over $160

Couple combined, illness separated (couple combined)

Fortnightly income	up to $284	over $284
Reduction in payment	none - full payment	50 cents for each dollar over $284 (combined)

Assets test for pensions

Assets test threshold for full pension

Family situation	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 Pension Rates

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.

Veterans Supplement

Low Rate	$ 6.20
High Rate	$ 12.40

Disability Pension rates

Special Rate (T&PI, blinded or TTI)	$1,311.30
Intermediate Rate	$ 890.10
Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA)	$ 724.20

General Rate

100%	$ 466.10	50%	$ 236.90
95%	$ 443.18	45%	$ 213.98
90%	$ 420.26	40%	$ 191.06
85%	$ 397.34	35%	$ 168.14
80%	$ 374.42	30%	$ 145.22
75%	$ 351.50	25%	$ 122.30
70%	$ 328.58	20%	$ 99.38
65%	$ 305.66	15%	$ 76.46
60%	$ 282.74	10%	$ 53.54
55%	$ 259.82

Note: Energy Supplement may also be payable. Refer to Factsheet CEP01 Energy Supplement

Additional Disability Pension for Specific Disabilities

Items 1-6	$ 638.80
Item 7	$ 213.30
Item 8	$ 144.00
Items 9 & 10	$ 123.40
Item 11 & 13	$ 61.80
Item 12 & 14	$ 32.10
Item 15	$ 47.80

War Widow's or Widower's Pension

Total War Widows and Widower's Pension	$ 868.00

Note: Energy Supplement may also be payable. Refer to Factsheet CEP01 Energy Supplement

Orphan's Pension

Single orphan	$ 97.70
Double orphan	$ 195.30

Rent Assistance

Maximum amount payable

Singles rate, no children	$ 127.60
Couples rate, no children (combined)	$ 120.00

Rent thresholds

Singles rate, no children	$ 113.20
Couples rate, no children (combined)	$ 184.20

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.

Centrelink

Single, couple combined, illness separated (couple combined) pensioners

Singles

Couple combined, illness separated (couple combined)

Assets test threshold for full pension

Assets test limits for part pensions

DVA Pension Rates

Current maximum rates

Note: Energy Supplement may also be payable. Refer to Factsheet CEP01 Energy Supplement.CEP01 Energy Supplement

Transition maximum rates

Income Support Supplement (ISS)

Seniors Supplement

War widow(er) pensioner

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

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.

Veterans Supplement

Disability Pension rates

General Rate

Note: Energy Supplement may also be payable. Refer to Factsheet CEP01 Energy Supplement

Additional Disability Pension for Specific Disabilities

War Widow's or Widower's Pension

Note: Energy Supplement may also be payable. Refer to Factsheet CEP01 Energy Supplement

Orphan's Pension

Rent Assistance

Maximum amount payable

Rent thresholds

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

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

Family Tax Benefit

Recreation Transport Allowance

Vehicle Assistance Scheme

Attendant Allowance

Clothing Allowance

Veterans' Children Education Scheme (VCES)

Secondary and tertiary students (fortnightly rate)

Decoration Allowance

Victoria Cross Allowance

Income limit before Service and Social Security Age Pension reduces

Current limits

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

Work Bonus

Assets limit before Service and Social Security Age Pension reduces

Homeowners

Non-homeowners

Service and Social Security Age Pension income cut-off limit

Current limits

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

Service & Social Security Age Pension assets cut-off limit

Current Limits

Homeowner

Non-homeowner

Transition Limits

Homeowner

Non-homeowner

Income and assets cut-off limit for the Gold Card for Service pensioners

Income

Assets

Homeowners

Assets

Non-homeowners

Transition Limits

Income

Assets

Homeowners

Non-homeowners

Income limit before ISS reduces

Current Limits

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

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.

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.