AGE PENSION & ENTITLEMENTS

To be eligible for the Government’s Age Pension, you must:

• Depending on your birthdate, from 1 July 2017 Age Pension age will be 65 years and 6 months. After that, Age Pension age will go up 6 months every 2 years until 1 July 2023.
• Be an Australian resident and in Australia on the day you apply for an age pension. Generally you need to have lived in Australia for over 10 years
• Meet an income and assets test.

For more information, go to the MoneySmart website.

HOW MUCH WILL YOU RECEIVE?

There are different rates of Age Pension payments for single people and couples. Your rate also depends on your income, assets, and other circumstances. Currently the maximum basic rate for an Age Pension per fortnight is $808.30 for a single person, or $609.30 each for a couple.

For full details go to the Department of Human Services website.

Concession and healthcare cards

Even if you don't qualify for the age pension, you may still be able to get a concession card. For retirees, there are two types of concession cards that provide a range of benefits, including help with the cost of medicines.

• Commonwealth Seniors Health Card - helps with the cost of prescription medicines and other health services if you are of pension age but do not qualify for the Age Pension
• Pensioner Concession Card - entitles pensioners to reduced cost prescription medicines, healthcare concessions and other concessions offered by state and territory governments and local councils.