Age Pension eligibility
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What is the income test for the Age Pension?
The Centrelink income test is the limit on how much money you can receive each fortnight and still be eligible to get some Age Pension.
If your total income is less than the limit, you could get the Age Pension, as long as you also meet their other eligibility requirements.
You can also try our QSuper Lifetime Pension Income Estimator to see how a product such as our Lifetime Pension might bring you under the income limit and potentially get you more from the Age Pension.
(Don't just rely on this estimator when choosing a financial product – you should consider getting advice from a licensed financial adviser and read the PDS before making any financial decisions.)
How the Centrelink income test works
Centrelink asks you to list all the income you earn – and sometimes they assume you’re earning income from something, even if you’re not, which is called deemed income or deeming rates.
What's included
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Your job (if you're still working)
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Superannuation you can access (deemed income or actual income depends on product type)
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Share market dividends (deemed income)
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Financial investments (deemed income, see list)
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Savings accounts and term deposits (deemed income)
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Rent you get from an investment property
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Income from outside Australia (e.g. non-Australian pensions).
What's not included
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Any other Centrelink payments, including rent assistance
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Compensation for loss or damage to things you own
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Child support payments you get
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Any free board and lodging you get
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Regular payments from a close relative
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Emergency relief payments
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First Home Saver Account withdrawals or interest
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Repayment for expenses
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Some work allowances (if you spend the whole amount on what it’s meant for, e.g. work travel)
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NDIS payments.
For more detail, please visit the Centrelink (Services Australia) website.
Income test limits
Whether or not you get the Age Pension, and how much you receive in payments (a full pension or part pension), depends on how much other income you have. These tables show how much you can earn under the income test.
Centrelink uses both the income and assets test, and they base their decision on whichever test gives you a lower Age Pension payment.
Select your living situation:
Single person
Income | Your Age Pension |
---|---|
Up to $190/fortnight ($4,940/year) | Full Age Pension |
Over $190 | Partial Age Pension: payment reduces by 50 cents for each dollar over $190 |
$2,318.00/fortnight or more | No Age Pension |
Current as at 20 March 2023. Centrelink changes these limits each year in line with inflation (CPI).
Couple living together
Combined income per fortnight | Your Age Pension |
---|---|
Up to $336 | Full Age Pension |
Over $336 | Partial Age Pension: payment reduces by 50 cents for each dollar over $336 |
$3,544.00/fortnight or more | No Age Pension |
Current as at 20 March 2023. Centrelink changes these limits each year in line with inflation (CPI).
Couple living apart because of ill health
Combined income per fortnight | Your Age Pension |
---|---|
Up to $336 | Full Age Pension |
Over $336 | Partial Age Pension: payment reduces by 50 cents for each dollar over $336 |
$4,592.00/fortnight or more | No Age Pension |
Current as at 20 March 2023. Centrelink changes these limits each year in line with inflation (CPI).
Case study example: Sue
Sue is 70 years old, single, and wants to ensure that her basic living costs are covered.
Let’s compare how Centrelink would assess $100,000 of Sue’s money if she puts it into either a Retirement Income account or a Lifetime Pension.1
The income test and your super
How Centrelink assess your super or your superannuation pension depends on how you set it up. For example, here’s how Centrelink views the three retirement product types we offer:
Swipe to view table
Age Pension income test | Age Pension assets test | |
---|---|---|
Accumulation account | Deemed income based on balance | Current balance |
Retirement income account | Deemed income based on balance | Current balance |
Lifetime Pension | 60% of actual income | 60% of purchase price until age 84, and 30% from then on2 |