Age Pension Rates 2026
The Age Pension is the main income support payment for older Australians who have reached pension age and meet residency and income/assets tests. It is paid fortnightly and includes the base rate, Pension Supplement and Energy Supplement. As of 20 March 2026, the full Age Pension is $1,200.90 per fortnight for singles and $905.20 per fortnight for each member of a couple.
Current Age Pension Rates
| Situation | Per Fortnight | Per Year |
|---|---|---|
Single Includes base rate ($1,100.30) + Pension Supplement ($86.50) + Energy Supplement ($14.10). Effective 20 March 2026. | $1200.90 | $31,223 |
Couple (each) Includes base rate ($829.40) + Pension Supplement ($65.20) + Energy Supplement ($10.60). Effective 20 March 2026. | $905.20 | $23,535 |
Couple (combined) Total household payment for a couple living together. | $1810.40 | $47,070 |
Couple separated due to illness (each) Each member receives the single rate when separated due to illness, respite care or prison. | $1200.90 | $31,223 |
Transitional rate — single For recipients on transitional pension (pre-2009 income test rules). Does not include Pension Supplement. | $977.70 | $25,420 |
Transitional rate — couple (each) Transitional rate for each member of a couple. | $788.80 | $20,509 |
Rates effective 20 March 2026. Next indexation: 20 September 2026.
Eligibility
You must be 67 years or older, an Australian resident for at least 10 years (with 5 years continuous), and meet the income and assets tests.
Income Test
Free area (single): $218/fortnight
Free area (couple combined): $380/fortnight
Taper rate: 50 cents per dollar above free area
Payment reduces by 50 cents for every dollar of income above the free area. The Work Bonus allows Age Pension recipients to earn up to $300/fn from employment without it counting as income.
Assets Test
Full pension paid below lower threshold. Payment reduces by $3/fn per $1,000 above lower threshold. Family home is excluded. Vehicles, boats, caravans, household contents and personal effects are included.
Eligibility Requirements
- Age: You must have reached Age Pension age (67 for anyone born on or after 1 January 1957)
- Residency: You must be an Australian resident and have lived in Australia for at least 10 years, with at least 5 of those years being continuous
- Income test: Your income must be below the cut-off threshold (single: $2,619.80/fn; couple combined: $4,000.80/fn)
- Assets test: Your assets must be below the cut-off threshold (homeowner single: $722,000; non-homeowner single: $980,000)
- You must be in Australia when you claim, with some exceptions for people overseas
- You must not be serving a prison sentence
Key Facts at a Glance
About Age Pension
The Age Pension is Australia's primary retirement income safety net, providing financial support to older Australians who need it most. Despite the growth of superannuation over the past three decades, around 63% of Australians over 67 still receive some form of the Age Pension — either the full pension or a part pension.
Who receives the Age Pension? According to the Department of Social Services, approximately 2.6 million Australians receive the Age Pension, making it the largest single welfare payment in Australia by expenditure. Around 39% receive the full pension and a further 24% receive a part pension, with their payment reduced by the income or assets test.
How is the Age Pension structured? The Age Pension is made up of three components: • Maximum base rate — the core payment ($1,100.30/fn for singles from March 2026) • Pension Supplement — a combined supplement for utilities, phone and internet ($86.50/fn for singles) • Energy Supplement — a supplement for energy costs ($14.10/fn for singles, only for recipients who had a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card before 20 September 2016)
When does the Age Pension increase? The Age Pension is indexed twice a year — on 20 March and 20 September — based on the higher of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the Male Total Average Weekly Earnings (MTAWE), or the Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index (PBLCI). From 20 March 2026, the single rate increased by $22.20 per fortnight and the couple rate by $16.70 each.
Deeming rates and financial assets Financial assets such as bank accounts, shares, and managed funds are assessed under the income test using deeming rates. The current deeming rates (from 1 May 2024) are 0.25% on the first $62,600 (singles) or $103,800 (couples) and 2.25% on the remainder. These rates have been frozen until 30 June 2025 to help pensioners during the cost-of-living crisis.
The Work Bonus Age Pension recipients can earn up to $300 per fortnight from employment (or self-employment) without it counting towards the income test. This is known as the Work Bonus. Unused Work Bonus amounts accumulate in a Work Bonus balance (up to $11,800), which can be used to offset future employment income.
How to Apply
Apply through myGov or at a Services Australia service centre. You can apply up to 13 weeks before you reach Age Pension age. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, income, and assets.
- Create or log in to your myGov account at my.gov.au and link Centrelink
- Select "Make a claim" and choose "Age Pension"
- Complete the online claim form — this takes about 30–60 minutes
- Provide supporting documents: proof of identity (passport, birth certificate), bank account details, details of all income and assets
- If you have a partner, they will also need to provide their details
- Submit your claim — Centrelink will contact you if more information is needed
- You can apply up to 13 weeks before you reach Age Pension age to avoid delays
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Age Pension in 2026?
From 20 March 2026, the full Age Pension is $1,200.90 per fortnight for a single person and $905.20 per fortnight for each member of a couple ($1,810.40 combined). These amounts include the base rate, Pension Supplement and Energy Supplement. The rates increased by $22.20/fn for singles and $16.70/fn each for couples from the previous period.
What age can I get the Age Pension in Australia?
The Age Pension age is 67 for anyone born on or after 1 January 1957. You can apply up to 13 weeks before you reach this age to avoid delays in receiving your first payment.
What is the income test for the Age Pension in 2026?
A single person can earn up to $218 per fortnight before their pension reduces. For couples, the combined free area is $380 per fortnight. Above these amounts, the pension reduces by 50 cents for every dollar of income. The pension cuts out completely at $2,619.80/fn for singles and $4,000.80/fn combined for couples. The Work Bonus allows you to earn up to $300/fn from employment without it counting.
What is the assets test for the Age Pension in 2026?
For homeowners, the full pension is paid if assets are below $321,500 (single) or $481,500 (couple combined). For non-homeowners, the thresholds are $579,500 (single) or $739,500 (couple). The pension cuts out completely at $722,000 (homeowner single), $980,000 (non-homeowner single), $1,085,000 (homeowner couple) or $1,343,000 (non-homeowner couple). The family home is not counted.
Can I get the Age Pension if I have super?
Yes, but your superannuation balance counts as an asset once you reach Age Pension age, and any income drawn from it counts as income. If your super is in accumulation phase (not yet drawing from it), it is counted as an asset but not as income. If your super balance is high enough, it may reduce or cancel your Age Pension under the income or assets test.
What is the Pension Supplement?
The Pension Supplement is an additional amount paid on top of the base Age Pension rate. From 20 March 2026, the maximum Pension Supplement is $86.50 per fortnight for singles and $65.20 per fortnight each for couples. It is designed to help with the cost of utilities, phone, internet and other household expenses. The minimum Pension Supplement is $46.60/fn (single) or $35.10/fn each (couple).
How often is the Age Pension paid?
The Age Pension is normally paid fortnightly (every two weeks). You can apply to Services Australia to receive weekly payments if you are homeless or at risk of homelessness, or if you have difficulty managing fortnightly payments.
Can I get an advance payment of the Age Pension?
Yes. If you have been receiving the Age Pension for at least 3 months, you can apply for an advance payment. You can receive between $559.50 and $1,678.50 (single) or $421.75 and $1,265.25 (couple) in any 6-month period. The advance is repaid from your future pension payments.
What is the Work Bonus for Age Pension recipients?
The Work Bonus allows Age Pension recipients to earn up to $300 per fortnight from employment or self-employment without it counting towards the income test. Unused Work Bonus amounts accumulate in a Work Bonus balance (up to $11,800), which can offset future employment income. This makes it easier to work part-time without losing your pension.
What happens to my Age Pension if I go overseas?
You can generally take your Age Pension overseas for up to 26 weeks at the full rate. After 26 weeks, your payment may be reduced based on your working life residence in Australia. Some countries have social security agreements with Australia that affect how your pension is calculated. Always notify Centrelink before travelling overseas.
Can a couple get the Age Pension if only one person is eligible?
Yes. If only one member of a couple has reached Age Pension age and meets the eligibility criteria, they can receive the Age Pension. However, both partners' income and assets are assessed together. The eligible partner receives half the combined couple rate ($905.20/fn from March 2026), not the single rate.
What is the difference between a full and part Age Pension?
A full Age Pension is the maximum rate payable — $1,200.90/fn for singles from March 2026. A part pension is a reduced rate paid when your income or assets exceed the lower threshold but are below the cut-off threshold. The part pension reduces by 50 cents for every dollar of income above the free area, or by $3/fn for every $1,000 of assets above the lower assets threshold.
Related Payments
Always verify current rates at the official Services Australia website.
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