Help from Centrelink
Once you have retired, it is important to understand the options available to help you enjoy the most comfortable lifestyle. The government provides the Age Pension to eligible Australians to help them afford their retirement - and here are some things to know:
- Super savings will help you enjoy a more comfortable retirement than that provided by the Age Pension alone.
- Most people will continue to be eligible for a full or part Age Pension, along with whatever super benefits they receive.
- In Australia, the age you could qualify for the Age Pension is currently 66 for both men and women. This threshold is set to change in the coming years (see the table)
It’s important to remember that the Age Pension is designed to provide a ‘safety net’ if you don’t have enough super or other financial resources to provide an adequate retirement income. The Age Pension works in conjunction with super.
| If you were born between | You qualify for Age Pension at age |
|---|---|
Before 30 June 1952 | 65 years |
1 July 1952 to 31 December 1953 | 65 years and six months |
1 January 1954 to 30 June 1955 | 66 years |
1 July 1955 to 31 December 1956 | 66 years and six months |
From 1 January 1957 | 67 years |
Find out if you qualify for the Age Pension
To qualify for Commonwealth Government Age Pension payments, you’ll need to meet eligibility requirements. You’ll need to be 66 years or older, meet certain residential conditions and an income and assets test.
The amount of support you could receive is determined by the results of these tests. The total balance of your super or Retirement Income Pension account will be taken into consideration in this test.
The Centrelink website has more information about the income and assets tests, and how your income and assets would be assessed.
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
If you’re not eligible for the Age Pension, you might still be able to receive discounts through the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC). This card provides access to cheaper prescription medicines, medical services funded by the Commonwealth Government and other government concessions.
To qualify for the CSHC, you need to meet eligibility requirements.
Help with living and household costs
Centrelink also offers payments which could help you with your living and household costs. You could be eligible for:
- Rent Assistance for extra financial help if you rent privately and receive a payment from Centrelink
- Energy Supplement as an ongoing payment if you receive a pension or hold a valid Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
Explore your options with Centrelink’s Financial Information Service
To learn more about your options, you might like to use the free Financial Information Service (FIS) provided by Centrelink. Visit the Services Australia website or speak directly to a FIS officer by calling 13 23 00.
Need help
- Find out about our Retirement Options Service
- Call us on 13 43 72
Thank you for printing this page. Remember to come back to gesb.wa.gov.au for the latest information as our content is updated regularly. This information is correct as at 27 April 2024.