YourLifeChoices keeps you up to date with retirement income changes.
From 20 September 2018, the following pension payment rates apply:
| Maximum Age Pension payment rates | |||
| Previous | Current | Increase | |
| Single base | $826.20 | $834.40 | $8.20 |
| Supplement | $67.30 | $67.80 | $0.50 |
| Energy supplement | $14.10 | $14.10 | $0.00 |
| TOTAL: | $907.60 | $916.30 | $8.70 |
| Couple (each) Base | $622.80 | $629.00 | $6.20 |
| Supplement | $50.70 | $51.10 | $0.40 |
| Energy supplement | $10.60 | $10.60 | $0.00 |
| TOTAL: | $684.10 | $690.70 | $6.60 |
Pension supplement
The supplement is paid as part of certain regular fortnightly income support payments to help eligible recipients meet the costs of daily household and living expenses.
| Pension supplement – basic amount (for those receiving a pension while overseas) | |||
| Previous | Current | Increase | |
| Single | $23.40 | $23.60 | $0.20 |
| Couple separated | $23.40 | $23.60 | $0.20 |
| Couple (each) | $19.20 | $19.40 | $0.20 |
| Pension supplement – minimum amount (for those paid a pension under the transitional rules) | |||
| Previous | Current | Increase | |
| Single | $36.10 | $36.30 | $0.20 |
| Couple separated | $36.10 | $36.30 | $0.20 |
| Couple (each) | $27.20 | $27.40 | $0.20 |
Asset and income test thresholds
Changes to income and asset thresholds took effect on 20 September.
The new Centrelink income test limits for full age pensioners are:
| Situation | For full pension/allowance (per fortnight) | For past pension(pf) From 1 July 2018 |
| Single | up to $172 | less than $2004.60 |
| Couple (combined) | up to $304 | less than $3066.80 |
| Illness separated (couple combined) | up to $304 | less than $3969.20 |
And the new asset test limits for full age pensioners:
| Situation | Homeowners | Non-homeowners |
| Single | $258,500 | $465,500 |
| Couple (combined) | $387,500 | $594,500 |
| Illness separated (couple combined) | $387,500 | $594,500 |
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
From 20 September, to pass the income test, you must earn no more than:
$54,929 a year if you’re single – $1130 increase
$87,884 a year for couples – $1808 increase
Aged Care Royal Commission
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. It will look at:
- the quality of care provided to older Australians and the extent of substandard care
- the challenge of providing care to Australians with disabilities living in residential aged care, particularly younger people with disabilities
- the challenge of supporting the increasing number of Australians suffering dementia and addressing their care needs as they age
- the future challenges and opportunities for delivering aged care services in the context of changing demographics, including in remote, rural and regional Australia.
Anyone with concerns about the quality and safety of aged care can contact the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner on 1800 550 552 or lodge a complaint online.
Tax return deadline
If you earnt any income in the 2017–18 financial year, you must lodge a tax return by 31 October.
To lodge online, you need a myGov account linked to the Australian Tax Office (ATO).
If you are completing your own tax return and need an extension, contact the ATO as soon as possible.
Most registered tax agents have special schedules and can lodge returns for clients later than 31 October.
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