How to claim the Age Pension

If you haven't already done this, make sure you're eligible for the Age Pension.

Some people don't apply for the Age Pension because they think they're not eligible. Don't miss out on government support you might be entitled to.

Use the Retirement Essentials Age Pension calculator below to check your eligibility before you start your claim. 

• What the Age Pension is, who is eligible and how much you might be able to get
• Things that affect the amount of Age Pension you can get, like your income or assets
• How your partner's income and assets can affect your Age Pension
• Other Government support you might be able to get, including: 
  • The Home Equity Access Scheme (HEAS)
  • Rent Assistance and more
• How to claim the Age Pension and where to go for help with your claim. 

• If you're planning to claim the Age Pension online, you'll need to make sure you have your Centrelink online account linked to myGov
• If you don't have a myGov account or a Centrelink account yet, you need to set them up
• During this process, you might need to confirm your identity

You can find out how to set up these online accounts on the Services Australia website.

Everyone's Age Pension claim will be a little bit different. To help you get ready in advance, here's a list of documents that you might need to provide with your claim:

ID, residency and relationships

• Driver's licence, passport, birth certificate
• Proof of Australian residence
• Citizenship or visa details (if you were born outside Australia)
• Relationship status documents

Financial, employment and living arrangements

• Tax File Number (TFN)
• Bank account details (for Age Pension payments)
• Asset and income information, including payslips, tax returns, dividend statements, savings accounts, term deposits, investments,  superannuation (accumulation and income stream accounts)
• Other debts and liabilities
• Life insurance
• Employment separation certificate (if you have stopped working)
• For renters: rent certificate, lease or tenancy agreement
• For home owners: proof of address, such as a rates notice, and the value of any outstanding mortgages on your home
• Value of any investment properties

Other possible requirements

• Opthalmologist report (if you're vision impaired)

Take a look at the full list of documents you might need to provide from Services Australia. See which ones apply to you and start to get them ready. 

For Cbus Super accounts:

If you have a Personal, Industry or Sole Trader Super account, you'll need to get a member statement

To get a member statement:

• Log in your Cbus Super account and download a member statement
• If your partner is 67 or older,  you will also need a member statement for their super account

For Cbus Super Income Stream (SIS) accounts:

If you or your partner have a Cbus SIS account, you'll need to get a schedule for Centrelink (this is different to the member statement above)

To get a schedule for Centrelink:

• Login to your Cbus SIS account
• Click on the 'Income Stream' banner
• Select 'Centrelink/DVA schedule'

You can also request this schedule from the Cbus Contact Centre. Please ask for a 'Centrelink/DVA schedule.'

• You can book a 30 minute face-to-face appointment at a service centre near you
• You need to book the appointment beforehand
• This is a free service

• Services Australia has a phoneline dedicated to supporting older Australians and people applying for the Age Pension
• This is a free service

• Retirement Essentials is a third party who can help you prepare your claim
• Once you submit your claim, Retirement Essentials will deal with Centrelink for you
• You can talk to a Retirement Essentials Age Pension Specialist any time you need help with your claim
• The Application Concierge service costs $335-$965, depending on the complexity of your financial circumstances

To submit your Age Pension claim via myGov:

• Link your myGov and Centrelink accounts
• Once signed in to myGov, go to the 'Payments & Claims' section and start an Age Pension claim
• Complete the Age Pension claim form
• Upload your supporting documents

To submit your Age Pension claim in person at Services Australia:

• Complete the Age Pension claim form and get your supporting documents together
• Book an appointment at your local service centre
• Bring you claim form and documents to your appointment

• Retirement Essentials can help you while you gather your documents and can answer any questions you may have along the way
• You will submit your application online yourself
• Retirement Essentials will then follow up with Services Australia for you
• This Application Concierge services costs $335-$965

Your claim isn't considered lodged until you have answered any questions Services Australia may have, and you've provided any supporting documents they've asked for. Services Australia can ask for more information by phone, your myGov inbox or post. 

If you or your partner take too long to complete these requests, usually more than 14 days, you may need to start your claim again. This could delay your Age Pension payments. 

If Services Australia need more information from you, they'll contact you by phone, your myGov account or send you a letter. 

If you've been asked to provide more documents, you'll need to send them back within 14 days, or you claim might be rejected. If you're sending documents by post, send them as quickly as you can to make sure they arrive in time. 

If you submitted your claim online:

• You'll get a receipt with an ID number for your application, a date when Services Australia think your claim will be completed and a link to track the progress.
• You can track the progress of your claim in myGov or the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app. 

If your claim is approved, Services Australia will contact you via myGov or the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app. 

If you indicated you didn't want to receive email updates, you'll get a letter. 

If your claim is not approved, this may be because you're not eligible due to your assets, income or residency. Read more about eligibility for the Age Pension. 

If you feel Services Australia has made a mistake, you can ask for an explanation. If you disagree with the decision, you can ask Services Australia for a formal review of your claim. 

If you want to try to claim the Age Pension again in the future, you will need to start a new claim. 

Whether you receive the Age Pension or not, there are other government benefits you might be eligible for, including: 

• Seniors Card
• Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
• Disability Support Pension
• Home Equity Access Scheme