Pensioners travelling or living overseas for more than six weeks will no long receive the Pension Supplement from January 1, under legislation being considered, the Department of Human Services said last month.
Trips lasting less than six weeks will not affect the payment.
If you leave Australia to live in another country the payment will stop on departure, under the proposed rule change. Those already living overseas will also be affected.
The Pension Supplement is a payment over and above any income support you may receive from Centrelink. It is designed to help pay bills and medicine costs.
For a single person or a couple who are separated due to illness or respite, the maximum payment is currently $66.30 a fortnight, or $1700 a year.
For couples, the maximum fortnightly payments are $100. This equals $2600 a year for the couple, or $1300 each.
Were you planning on travelling overseas for more than six weeks? Will you change your travel plans so that you do not lose the Pension Supplement?
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