My Age Pension

14/05/2026

Not getting the Age Pension you expected? A few simple steps can help you optimise your outcome, without guesswork.

Here are 5 practical strategies to consider:
1. Understand how the assets and income tests work. It is the test that gives you the lower rate that applies.
2. Know what counts. Your home is exempt, but most other assets are not.
3. Know what your deemed income is. Foreign pensions can be treated differently depending on the source country.
4. Be careful with gifting. There are limits, and gifts can still be counted under the rules.
5. Review regularly. Small changes like selling an asset, starting work, or a partner change can affect payments, so keep details up to date.

If you would like support, we can do the math for you. We offer a one-hour consultation for $165, during which we can answer the questions above and any others you may have.

Would you like our Cheat Sheet? It provides income and asset thresholds, along with a non-exhaustive list of assessable assets and income.

What part of the Age Pension rules do you find hardest to navigate?

30/04/2026

A Centrelink debt does not always mean you must pay it back in full, right away. There may be options to simplify things and secure your budget.

If the debt feels unmanageable, consider these next steps to navigate it with support:
1. Ask if you can get a payment plan, repayments can often be set at an amount you can afford.
2. Request a temporary pause or lower rate due to hardship, if paying would affect essentials like rent, food, or medical costs.
3. Check whether a waiver may apply, in some cases, the debt can be reduced or waived, depending on the reason and your circumstances.
4. Get the decision reviewed if you think it is wrong, you can ask for an internal review, and appeal if needed.

Taking early action can help you optimise the outcome and empower you to stay in control.

Have you ever had to negotiate a repayment plan or ask for hardship help?

26/04/2026

Receiving a pension from overseas while on the Age Pension can affect what you get from Centrelink, and the rules are not the same for every country.

Here is a simple way to navigate it:
1) Most foreign pensions are assessed as income under the income test. This can reduce your Age Pension depending on your total income and personal situation.
2) New Zealand pensions can be different. In many cases they are a direct $1 for $1 offset, so each $1 of NZ pension may reduce your Australian Age Pension by $1.

Tip: Tell Centrelink about any overseas pension you receive, the amount, and how often it is paid, so your payment stays correct and secure.

Do you know which rule applies to your overseas pension?

02/04/2026

Got a Centrelink decision that does not look right? You can appeal, and you do not have to do it alone.

Here is a simple path to follow:
1. Ask for an explanation first, some issues are quick to fix.
2. Request a formal review by an Authorised Review Officer. You can do this using Centrelink form SS351 or by phoning Centrelink and advising the service officer that you want a formal review.
3. Gather your proof and attach it to the form, or advise the Service Officer that you will provide it on request.
4. If you still disagree, you can seek an independent review through the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

Tip: Asking for a review within 13 weeks of a decision can help protect your back pay.

Good support can help you navigate the process, simplify the paperwork, optimise your case, secure your entitlements, and feel empowered.

Have you ever appealed a Centrelink decision, or are you considering it now?

04/02/2026

Travelling overseas on Age Pension? Here is how to keep your payments on track.

Under 6 weeks, usually no change.

Over 6 weeks, Pension Supplement drops to the basic rate, Energy Supplement stops, base Age Pension continues.

Moving overseas permanently, or away for 26 weeks or more, your base rate is based on Australian Working Life Residence. 35 years between 16 and pension age gives the full rate, fewer years means a proportion.

Former resident rule, if you returned to claim, you generally must stay in Australia for 2 years before being paid while overseas again.

Australia also has agreements with some countries that may help you qualify.

Tell Services Australia before you go. We simplify the rules, help you navigate choices, and optimise and secure your entitlements, empowering you to travel with confidence. Need support? Ask below.

31/01/2026

Bereavement Payments and your Age Pension

Losing a partner is heartbreaking. If your late partner was getting a pension or income support, you may be eligible for a bereavement payment to help you move to a single income.

To qualify, both you and your partner must have been receiving an income support payment or a pension for at least the previous 12 months.

What to do next:
- Tell Services Australia about the death and your situation.
- Ask for a bereavement payment assessment.
- Review your Age Pension, as you will now be assessed as a single pensioner.
- Update your assets and income so your rate is correct.

We help you navigate the rules, simplify paperwork, optimise your entitlements, and secure steady cash flow. Our support empowers you to make clear decisions at a tough time.

Not sure where to start or what documents you need? Comment below or message me for friendly support.

15/01/2026

Renting out a property? Here is how it can affect your Age Pension.

A rental is assessed under both tests:
- Income test, net rental income counts.
- Assets test, the net property value counts.

If you lodge a tax return, they use the net rent on your return. No tax return, they use your income and expense statement, rent received minus allowable costs like rates, insurance, agent fees, loan interest, and repairs and maintenance. Keep leases, bank statements, and receipts. Capital improvements are not regular expenses. Owned less than 12 months, net rent is assumed at two thirds of gross.

Loan interest is deductible only if the loan is not secured against your principal home.

To optimise your payment, report vacancies or changes, keep detailed records, and get advice. Renting a room in your home can be different.

Need support to navigate this? Contact us for a consultation.

08/01/2026

Income Test vs Assets Test, made simple.

Centrelink runs both tests each fortnight and pays the lower result for that fortnight.

Know the differences:
- Assets test, different thresholds for homeowners and non homeowners.
- Income test, same thresholds for everyone. Renters may get Rent Assistance.
- Deeming on financial assets, Centrelink assumes a set earning rate, not actual returns. Some exceptions apply.
- Foreign income counts as normal income, except New Zealand pension payments are treated differently.

To optimise, keep details up to date, work out changes before you act, and check which test is reducing your pension.

We help you navigate the rules, simplify choices, and secure the support you are entitled to, so you feel confident and empowered. Message us for a quick review.

Which test is limiting your Age Pension right now, income or assets?

04/01/2026

New Year, New Peace of Mind! 🥂

Is "sorting the pension" on your to-do list for 2026? Navigating the system can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. At My Age Pension, our team specialises in helping you understand, access, and maximise your entitlements.

While we are based near Samford near Brisbane, we are just as happy to work with individuals anywhere in Australia via Google Meet.

Our team can assist you with:

New Applications: We take the complexity and paperwork off your hands.

Remediation Support: Haven't updated Centrelink in a long time and feeling worried about it? We help you get your records back on track and resolve outstanding issues calmly and professionally.

Payment Reviews: Are you receiving every dollar you’re entitled to?

Life Changes: Expert guidance on how downsizing, inheritance, or family business changes affect your pension.

Make 2026 the year you tick this off your list and enjoy the retirement you’ve worked for!

📞 Call Us: 0419 787 847 📧 Email: [email protected] 🌐 Web: https://www.myagepension.com.au/ 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myagepension

Get the most out of your entitlements with our personalised Age Pension services. We help you understand, access, maximize, and maintain your Australian Age Pension. From eligibility checks to application assistance, we’re here to ensure you secure the benefits you deserve.

30/12/2025

Downsizing your home soon? Here is how it can affect your Age Pension, and how to avoid traps.

- Your home is exempt from the assets test. After you sell, money you plan to use for your next home is asset test exempt for up to 2 years.
- During that time the money is still deemed for the income test at the lower deeming rate only. Your pension may reduce, this depends on your circumstances.
- To optimise, tell Centrelink you intend to use 100% of sale proceeds for your next home, then update them when your budget is set. This helps secure the 2 year concession on the full amount.
- After 2 years, any leftover funds count as an asset.

We simplify the rules, support your decisions, and help you navigate timing so you can secure your payments. Want help to map your numbers before you list? Message me or comment with your downsizing questions. We empower you to plan with confidence.

17/12/2025

Thinking about a pension loan to top up cash flow? Here is a simple overview of the Home Equity Access Scheme.

What it is: A voluntary government reverse mortgage style loan for people of Age Pension age to unlock home equity.

Who it can support: Age Pensioners and retirees who own real estate in Australia and meet residency rules.

Key points: The loan is secured against your property. You choose regular payments and limited lump sums within a cap to suit your needs. Interest is set by the government and compounds, check Services Australia for the rate. Currently the rate is 3.95%. You can repay anytime, and a no negative equity guarantee applies to help secure your equity.

This is general information, not advice. Pension loans can affect your pension rate and estate plans. If you are considering one, speak with your financial advisor first to optimise your choices, navigate the rules, and empower decisions.

What else do you want to know?