Australian Centrelink Age Pensioners have experienced a small rise in their payments from March 20, 2025, with singles receiving an additional $4.60 fortnightly and couples receiving an additional $7.00 total. The new maximum pension rate for singles is now $1,149.00 per fortnight (about $29,874 annually), while couples will receive $1,732.20 together per fortnight (about $45,037 annually).
These increases, though modest, reflect the government’s continued commitment to adjusting pensions payments in response to cost-of-living pressures for Australian seniors. The new rates both include the pension supplement and the energy supplement, equating to a full support package for qualifying retirees.
Income and Asset Test Thresholds Also Altered
Apart from the rate of pension adjustment, the **income and asset test limits** that assess entitlement and payment levels rose on July 1, 2025. The limits have gone up by 2.4 percent, enabling pensioners to receive more income and assets before their payments are cut.
For single persons, the income limit for the maximum pension rose to $218 fortnightly (from $212), and couples are now allowed to earn $380 fortnightly (down from $372) before their pension is tapered. The **cut-off limits** also rose, with singles able to earn up to $2,516 fortnightly and couples up to $3,844.40 combined in total and still get some payment of pension.
Asset Test Limits More Generous
The asset test limits have also been raised. Single home owners can now have assets worth as much as $321,500 (before $314,000) and still qualify for the maximum pension. For couples of home owners, the threshold is now $481,500 (up from $470,000).
For non-home owners, the limits are even higher – $579,500 for singles and $739,500 for couples – acknowledging the financial struggles of pensioners competing in the rented sector.
What These Changes Mean for You
These changes are such that more Australians could now be eligible for a part **Age Pension** for the first time. If you previously were only just above the income or assets limits, it is worth rechecking your eligibility. Even with a part pension, you have access to the useful **Pensioner Concession Card**, which provides very substantial savings on medicines, health care, and many state and local government concessions.
For current pensioners, the changes may result in a minor increase in your payments based on your personal situation. The **Work Bonus** also continues to enable pensioners to earn $300 a fortnight from work without reducing their pension – a valuable provision for those topping up their retirement income with part-time work.
The subsequent possible change to Age Pension rates is scheduled for September 20, 2025. These semi-annual reviews help ensure that pension payments remain aligned with economic developments using measures such as the Consumer Price Index, Male Total Average Weekly Earnings, and the Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index.
For the roughly 2.6 million Australians on the Age Pension, such ongoing adjustments do give some security to retirement planning, even if yearly increases are not large.
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