The Age Pension can work alongside your super in retirement.
Learn how it works, what affects your eligibility and why timing matters.
Watch the video to learn more.
Read the transcript
Hi, I'm Jeff Wallens, Senior Education Specialist at CBUS.
I've spent 25 years in super helping people make sense of what they've got and what they can do with it. This is 'Straight Talk'.
We break down the parts of super that matter in plain language so you know what to do next.
Some Australians miss out on thousands of dollars in Age Pension payments because they apply too late. Payments only start from the day you apply.
They're not backdated. Research shows one in three Australians wait more than a year before claiming, and some even miss out for multiple years.
In this video, we'll explain how the Age Pension works, who might qualify and where you go if you'd like help getting started. You've probably heard of the Age Pension.
It's a fortnightly payment from the Government that supports eligible Australians later in life.
For some people, it becomes their main income, for others it helps top up their super.
Depending on your circumstances, the Age Pension can pay up to this amount each year.
More than one in two Australians aged over 67 qualify for either the full Age Pension or a part pension.
By age 80, this rises to more than 75%.
For many Australian retirees, it becomes an important part of their income later in life.
To qualify for the Age Pension, you need to meet certain conditions. First, you must have reached age 67.
You also need to be an Australian resident for at least 10 years, including five continuous years.
Centrelink then looks at your income and assets to work out whether you qualify and how much you may receive.
Income can include wages from work, rental income and some pensions and annuities, and earnings from overseas.
Assets include things you own such as cars, home contents, investment properties or savings.
Once you reach Age Pension age, your super is counted in the assets and income tests, but the home you live in usually is not.
Different limits apply depending on whether you're single or part of a couple and whether you own your home. Services Australia works out the exact amount you may receive.
You can find full details on the Services Australia website.
CBUS also offers Age Pension calculators that can help estimate what you might receive. We'll show you those shortly.
Some people assume they won't be eligible for the Age Pension, so they never apply. But there's a few things worth knowing. You don't need to retire to receive it.
It's based on age, income and assets. So you may still be working and still qualify for the Age Pension.
And even if you're not eligible for the Age Pension, you may still qualify for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. That can help with health costs and other benefits.
Not all Australians qualify for the Age Pension when they first turn 67, but eligibility can change over time.
Income and asset limits are increased each year, so people who weren't eligible at first may qualify later.
That's why it's worth checking your Age Pension eligibility from time to time.
If you're aged between 60 and 65, it's a good time to start thinking about how the Age Pension could work alongside your super and other income in retirement.
You can use the CBUS Retirement Income calculator to see what your income might look like from both super and the Age Pension.
If you're 66 or over, the CBUS Age Pension calculator can help estimate what you might receive and when you may be able to claim it.
When the time comes to claim the Age Pension, it pays to prepare.
It's a good idea to start gathering your documents about four months before you turn 67.
You can submit your claim for the Age Pension up to 13 weeks before your 67th birthday. This gives Services Australia time to process the application.
If your claim is approved, payments can begin as soon as you turn 67. CBUS also partners with Retirement Essentials.
They're experts who can help you navigate the Age Pension claim process.
They offer a free eligibility check with a fee payable once your application is finalised.
You can complete the application online with phone support available if you need it.
The CBUS website has a dedicated section on the Age Pension, which explains how the payment works and how much you can receive and how to apply.
We also run seminars and webinars where our Education team walks through the Age Pension in more detail.
These sessions are practical and easy to follow, and they're included as part of your membership.
You can also tune into our podcast CBUS Super Shift, where we talk through super and how it can work for you.
We're here to help. Our CBUS Advice team can talk you through your options and support that's available. They offer different levels of guidance depending on what you need.
You can call, message, or drop in and see us in person. We'll take the time to help you and make sense of your super and your options.
Some people might think they are not eligible for the Age Pension so they don’t try to claim it. Even if you’re earning some income from your super, you could still be eligible.
To be eligible, you need to meet certain criteria. You can see the full list of criteria at Services Australia.
From 1 January 2024, you must be 67 years or older.
You generally need to have been an Australian resident for at least 10 years, with at least five of those years being continuous.
Your eligibility depends on income and asset tests.
Don't miss out on the Government benefits you deserve.
If you’re under 66
Find out what your income might be from super and the Age Pension after you retire, with the Retirement income calculator.
If you’re 66 or over
Find out how much Age Pension you might get and when you may be able to claim it, with the Age Pension calculator.
If you're 60-65, now is the perfect time to start thinking about the Age Pension and your finances for when you retire.
When the time comes to claim the Age Pension, start preparing your claim well before you turn 67. If you submit your claim after turning 67, you may miss out on payments you're entitled to, as Age Pension payments are only backdated to the date you lodge your claim.
Learn how the Age Pension works and how much you might get.
Estimate your super balance at retirement.
Attend a webinar to learn about the Age Pension.
Use the Age Pension calculator to find out how much you might get and when you could claim it.
Get your supporting documents ready for your Age Pension claim.
The Age Pension amount you receive is based on two tests: the income test and the assets test. You'll be paid according to the test that gives you the lower payment rate.
Learn more about Age Pension rates at Services Australia.
The maximum Age Pension rates from 20 March 2026 are listed below.
| Single | Couple combined | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum basic rate | $1,100.30 |
$1,658.80 |
| Maximum Pension supplement | $86.50 | $130.40 |
| Energy supplement | $14.10 |
$21.20 |
| Total payment (per fortnight) |
$1,200.90 | $1,810.40 |
Assets test
The assets test is one factor taken into account to work out if you can get the Age Pension and how much you might get. Your assets include property or possessions you own or have interest in, including any assets held outside Australia. The assets test doesn't usually include the home you live in, which is considered your primary place of residence.
See a full list of assets included in the assets test.
Different limits apply depending on:
Your Age Pension amount starts reducing by $3.00 for every $1,000 your assets exceed the lower limit.
Homeowners (own or paying off)
|
If the value of your assets is lower than |
If the value of your assets is more than |
Single |
$321,500 |
$722,000 |
Couple – combined assets |
$481,500 |
$1,085,000 |
Couple, separated due to illness – combined assets |
$481,500 |
$1,282,500 |
|
Full Age Pension payable |
No Age Pension payable |
Non-homeowner (renting or living in rent-free accommodation)
|
If the value of your assets is lower than |
If the value of your assets is more than |
Single |
$579,500 |
$980,000 |
Couple – combined assets |
$739,500 |
$1,343,000 |
Couple, separated due to illness – combined assets |
$739,500 |
$1,540,500 |
|
Full Age Pension payable |
No Age Pension payable |
Amounts as at 20 March 2026.
Learn more about the assets test at Services Australia.
Income test
Your income determines if you’re eligible for the Age Pension and how much you’ll receive. Income includes things like wages from employment, some pension payments and annuity payments, rental income from investment properties and income from outside of Australia.
See a full list of things taken into account in the income test.
Different limits apply to singles and couples. From 20 March 2026 these limits are:
Household |
You are entitled to a full Age Pension if: |
Your Age Pension will reduce by: |
You are not entitled to an Age Pension if: |
Single |
You earn less than $218 per fortnight |
50 cents for every dollar of fortnightly income above $218 |
You earn more than $2,619.80 per fortnight |
Couple (combined income) |
You earn less than $380 per fortnight |
25 cents for every dollar of fortnightly income above $380 |
You earn more than $4,000.80 per fortnight |
Find out more about the income test at Services Australia.
Work Bonus
Different to a traditional ‘bonus’ where you get extra money, the Work Bonus means you can work a few hours each fortnight, without reducing the amount of Age Pension you get.
You don’t need to apply for the Work Bonus. When you claim the Age Pension, declare your income. The Work Bonus reduces the amount of your income that's counted in the income test.
Here’s how it works:
Find out more about the Work Bonus at Services Australia.
17-minute listen
Balancing your super with the Age Pension can feel confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. This episode helps by:
Use the retirement income estimate calculator to understand what your super balance might look like when you put the tools down.
Estimate my super balance
Feeling confused about your super and what to do next?
Our information sessions can help you make confident choices for life after work.
Our Advice team can help you understand your options and offers different levels of guidance depending on what you need.
Cbus is proud to partner with Retirement Essentials, experts in simplifying the Age Pension claim process.
Get a free eligibility calculation, with a fee payable when you finish your application. You can complete your application online, with telephone support if you need it.
Will my super affect my Age Pension?
Yes, your super is included in the income test and assets test, which can impact your eligibility and Age Pension amounts.
If your partner is under 67, only the balance of their income streams or 'retirement phase' accounts will be counted. Their accumulation-phase accounts will not be counted until your partner turns 67.
How can I work out how much Age Pension I will get?
If you’re under 66
Find out what your income might be from super and the Age Pension after you retire, with the Retirement income calculator.
If you’re 66 or over
Find out how much Age Pension you might get and when you may be able to claim it, with the Age Pension calculator.
The exact Age Pension amount you may get is affected by a number of factors. It can be complex to work out. The amount you get will be advised by Services Australia and will depend upon your personal circumstances.
How much income or assets can I have?
The amount of income or assets you can have depends on whether you’re single or part of a couple, and if you own your own home (outright or paying off). Learn more about how Services Australia assesses this with the asset and income tests.
What happens if my income or assets change?
It’s important to let Centrelink know about any changes as soon as possible, so your entitlement can be updated.
What happens if I'm not eligible for the Age Pension?
You may not qualify for the full Age Pension, but you could be eligible for a part Age Pension payment. If you’re not eligible to receive an Age Pension payment, you may be eligible to get a Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card subject to meeting certain criteria. Chat to Centrelink to check your options.
Some Australians aren't eligible for the Age Pension when they first turn 67, but as the asset and income test thresholds are increased each year, they may become eligible in the future. If you're not eligible at first, it can be good to check your Age Pension eligibility on a regular basis.
