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How can I maximise age pension benefits?

September 20, 2023

Maximising age pension benefits can be a great way to have added financial security and peace of mind for the golden retiree years. Whether you’re looking to supplement your income or simply want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your government benefits, read on for some helpful information.

The age pension can assist in reducing the overall cost of daily living expenses. Exploring ways to maximise age pension entitlements can be beneficial in providing you with extra money to cover medical costs, insurance premiums, and other daily expenditures.

Retirement looks different for everyone; personal circumstances and financial situations have an impact on how and when we retire. Doing some research specific to your situation will help to give you a greater understanding of your entitlements and be able to look into all the available options once you reach pension age.

Ways to maximise your age pension benefits

Prepay some expenses

Prepaying expenses is a smart way to plan for retirement. By paying expenses such as car and private health insurance annually, there is usually a discount that can reduce your overall bill.

Prepaying can also provide greater budget control, allowing a longer time to save for bills and enabling some lump investments to potentially provide some payments with interest.

Check for additional age pension entitlements.

In addition to the age pension, there are other additional payments available to pensioners in Australia. They are;

Is a government-issued card that provides holders with discounts on many goods and services such as utility bills, medical expenses, and transportation for both public transport and vehicle registration.

Entitles Australians over a certain age to lower pharmaceutical costs, access to free health care services, and is another way to subsidise travel on public transport systems

This card offers people who have retired from employment the same benefits as those provided by the Seniors Health Card, but also includes additional entitlements such as a petrol discount of 4 cents per liter and telephone allowance.

You can use the payment finder at Centrelink’s website to check your eligibility for other entitlements, there are around 50 payments that can be applied for.

Paying down personal debt and strategise on investment loans.

Paying down debts prior to retiring can help to relieve stress and financial strain in retirement, reduce assessable assets for the Age Pension, and can also offer more financial flexibility to enjoy retirement years.

By reducing one’s debt before retirement, individuals will have more spending money available for other expenses such as travel, leisure activities, and medical care.

If you can pay off debt prior to retirement, it will result in fewer bills each month and that money can go towards retirement savings or spending money.

Paying down your debt has a number of benefits and could make navigating retirement a little easier. You should speak to your bank or a financial adviser to understand whether it’s right for you.

Value your assets

It is important to try and remember to value any assessable assets at market value rather than the purchase value. This is because most of our personal assets depreciate over time with use while others may increase, which can affect age pension payments.

For example, if you own your home, it doesn’t count towards your asset limit so you may still be eligible for benefits regardless. It is also important to update Centrelink when assets change in value, as this will impact on your pension payments.

Additional ways to boost retirement income.

The work bonus incentive for age pensioners is a great way to help those who have reached the age pension age but still wish to remain employed. This program helps to ensure that individuals eligible for the age pension can continue to earn money without impacting their pension eligibility or benefits.

This means that eligible people will be able to receive additional income while also retaining their current age pension entitlements which are not included in an income test.

Additionally, any unused portion of the person’s Work Bonus can be carried forward, which can provide an even greater opportunity to supplement earnings without substantially affecting their eligibility for Age Pension benefits.

Tax concessions available to age pensioners.

The age pension can make a big difference to your taxes. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for certain concessions and other tax benefits associated with the age pension. The seniors and pensioners tax offset reduces the amount of tax you must pay each year. Understanding these taxes and concessions can assist in ensuring that you maximise your pension payment.

Staying up to date.

Changes may occur to the age pension that you should know about as it may increase the amount of your pension entitlement.

Keeping up to date with information about the Age Pension changes can be an arduous task. Fortunately, the Department of Human Services (DHS) website has all the information you need to stay informed on any change that may come up in relation to the age pension.

There are many avenues for benefits available – so it’s worth looking into even if you think you might not be eligible. Second, keep an eye on changes to pension rules and taxation law, as these can have a big impact on how much money you receive from your pension.

Remember that the age pension is just one part of your overall retirement savings, and there are many ways that you can create your ideal retirement.

When it comes to mapping out your retirement, numerous factors require careful consideration. Our dedication lies in assisting you in crafting an ideal retirement plan that instills tranquility and assurance regarding your financial well-being.

Retirement planning is a uniquely individual journey, devoid of a universal remedy. By engaging the services of a retirement financial planner, you can navigate through the clutter and concentrate on tailored approaches that suit your needs most effectively.


Ready to apply for the Age Pension but not sure where to start?

We’re here to do whatever we can, to make the application process as smooth and easy as possible – we can even complete the process for you. Here is what we offer:

  • A detailed document outlining your income and assets, prepared during your appointment.
  • A one-on-one meeting with a pension specialist, including a thorough explanation of how Centrelink evaluates your pension.
  • Comprehensive management of your age pension application from beginning to end.
  • We’ll register My Pension Manager as your authorized representative to manage all Centrelink correspondence for your claim.
  • We’ll ensure you are informed throughout the entire process.

We offer this service for $660* for the once-off application and/or $660* per annum for the ongoing service.

*Costs may be higher for higher complexity – such as people that have businesses, trusts and self managed superannuation funds.

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