Current Age Pension rates and how the increase is calculated

Understanding the Age Pension rate increase

The Australian Government adjusts the Sazba starobního důchodu on 20 March a 20 September each year. These are known as indexation dates. The adjustment ensures your čtrnáctidenní platba keeps pace with rising costs so your purchasing power is maintained throughout retirement.

📊 How is the Age Pension rate calculated?

Ten/Ta/To maximum Age Pension rate is set using the highest result from three benchmarks: the Index spotřebitelských cen (CPI), ten Index životních nákladů pro důchodce a příjemce dávek (PBLCI) and a wages benchmark that keeps the combined couple rate at a minimum of 41.76% of average male total ordinary time earnings. This triple-lock approach means your pension can never fall behind the životní náklady.

💰 Maximum Age Pension rates — singles and couples

Ten/Ta/To maximum fortnightly rate includes the base pension plus the Příplatek k důchodu a Energy Supplement. If you are a single pensioner, your combined maximum rate is higher per person than for each member of a couple, reflecting the higher cost of maintaining a household alone.

To see the exact dollar figures that apply right now, check the Services Australia website or log into your účet myGov. Rates are updated automatically on each indexation date and the new figures are published on the official Services Australia payment rates page.

📉 Full rate vs part rate — what determines your payment?

Not everyone receives the maximum Age Pension. Your actual čtrnáctidenní platba depends on two means tests run by Centrelink: the test příjmu a test aktiv. Whichever test produces the lower payment amount is the one that applies. If your assessable income nebo assets exceed certain thresholds, your pension is reduced — this is called receiving a částečná sazba.

When the pension rate increases, ten test příjmu a test aktiv thresholds are also adjusted. This means some part-rate pensioners may see a larger increase than expected, while others may see a smaller one depending on how their income and assets interact with the new thresholds.

Financial planning tip: after each rate increase, review your účet myGov to see how your new čtrnáctidenní platba compares to your previous amount. Use this as a prompt to reassess your rozpočet and ensure your inkasa, rent and bills are aligned with your updated disponibilní zůstatek.

If your financial circumstances have changed — for example, you have sold an investment property, started earning income from casual work, or your partner has begun receiving a pension — report these changes to Centrelink promptly. Accurate reporting ensures your sazba důchodu reflects your true situation and prevents overpayment debts.