Age Pension Calculator

Centrelink Age Pension Calculator

Welcome. This calculator has been designed by yourpension.com.au to assist Age Pensioners in determining their entitlement. It should only be used as a guide, as there can be many complex issues. For the more complex claims please feel free to contact us direct.
The calculator has a design and layout that has been been optimised for mobile and touch devices. So save this page to your devices home screen for rapid access.

yourpension.com.au is a service that assists you through the page pension claim process. Think of it as a concierge service.

© 2011-13 Symbotic Pty Ltd

About



APCalc
Version 03.13.1
www.yourpension.com.au

Ver: 3.13.1 March 2013

Providing powerful mobile solutions to assist Age Pensioners

This pension calculator can only be an indicator.

The calculator is correct at the time it was created, and is continually monitored for accuracy.

The current version applies to the Centrelink Age Pension as at 20th March 2013. The pension rate is for new applicants only. Those who were approved for the pension prior to 20th September 2009 may be on a 'transitional' rate. This rate may be higher than the rate displayed here due to the tightening of the income test rules and other Government initiatives. Approximately 30% of pensioners were entitled to maintain their exiting rates so as not to be disadvantaged.

Age Pension rates usually change each September and March.

If you have any questions or difficulty using the calculator for any reason please contact us.

Your financial advisor should always be consulted when making financial decisions.



Age Pension Calculator

Before you go ahead, please confirm that you have read and understood the limitations of this calculator. Please refer to our About page and qualifications indicated below. Please contact us should you require assistance.

Assumptions and Use

    The pension amount shown below is the maximum pension for an eligible couple.
    Click each of the 4 sections below to expand/collapse options to define your circumstances. The estimated pension will automatically be adjusted as you make these alterations. Click the the query button provided in each section to access further information.
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General Assumptions and Use

    Using the calculator

    If you have got this far you will have already read our statements on the limitations of calculators of this type. However we will continue to improve the calculator based on your comments and suggestions.

    The format has specifically been designed to suit mobile devices - hence the 'collapsible" buttons (+/-) etc.

    Each of the following 4 sections provide more information and assistance.

    We have provided a separate button for determining the age qualification. The gradual increase in the age qualification and from 1/7/2017 both men and women will need to be 67 means that the qualifications are best represented in a table form. So please click the Age Qualification button to check your situation.

    Assumptions and Basic Use:

    1. For couples please include all your partners details with yours as they will both be assessed under the assets and income tests. There are some exceptions such as if your partner is under the age pension age, then their super will be exempt. Also if your partner is under the age pension age then they will generally not be entitled to the work bonus scheme entitlements.
    2. Please be careful in entering your super and pension details. If your super is in 'pension' mode then the income and assets test will be different to those funds that are not. Your super fund will be able to provide you with a report detailing how much of the income from your supers pension will be deductible. Not all income is assessable under Centrelinks income test and this area can get very complex.

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Age Qualifications
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    Age Qualifications: We have constant queries regrading the qualifying age for the Age Pension.

    We have also found that the information is best provided in the form below, rather than entering birth dates via calendar 'boxes' etc.
    The table below shows the gradual increase in women's qualifying age for Age Pension over the period leading up to 1 July 2013, and then the increase in qualifying age for both men and women from 1 July 2017.

    Born Women Eligible for Age Pension at age Men Eligible for Age Pension at age
    Before 1 July 19356065
    Between 1 July 1935 and 31 December 193660 and a half65
    Between 1 January 1937 and 30 June 19386165
    Between 1 July 1938 and 31 December 193961 and a half 65
    Between 1 January 1940 and 30 June 1941 62 65
    Between 1 July 1941 and 31 December 1942 62 and a half65
    Between 1 January 1943 and 30 June 194463 65
    Between 1 July 1944 and 31 December 1945 63 and a half 65
    Between 1 January 1946 and 30 June 194764 65
    Between 1 July 1947 and 31 December 1948 64 and a half 65
    Between 1 January 1949 and 30 June 1952 6565
    Between 1 July 1952 and 31 December 1953 65 and a half 65 and a half
    Between 1 January 1954 and 30 June 1955 6666
    Between 1 July 1955 and 31 December 1956 66 and a half66 and a half
    After 1 January 1957 6767
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Marital and Home Status

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Marital Status and Home Ownership

    Income and Asset Values for Couples

    If you selected "Couple" please ensure you enter the combined value for you and your partner for each item. i.e If you have several bank accounts, add the value of each and insert the total. This is required where both partners are qualified for the age pension. However if, for example, one partner is under the age pension age then they may not be entitled to the work bonus scheme but their super asset value may be exempt. Refer to the notes on each section if this is the case.

    Couples versus Singles:

    If you are in a relationship - including single sex relationships - select Couple.
    In recent years this has become a more complex situation for example:
    You may be considered a couple even if you don’t live together.
    Equally you can be treated as a single if you live with someone.
    In all cases it may be a same sex relationship. However there are some situations where a same sex relationship can be considered as single!
    If a couple is ‘separated due to illness’, not only can one partner be treated as a single, but the income test level threshold increases.

    Home Ownership:

    If you own - or are paying off your home - your home is normally exempt from the assets tests. In some cases Centrelink may determine that a proportion of your home/land is 'of commercial value'. For example if it is a large property and a proportion is for commercial use. If you believe this may be the case for your home, please seek advice before claiming for the age pension.
    If you do not own a home, your asset test thresholds are higher, and you may be entitled to rent assistance, or other accommodation assistance. The rest assistance that you may be entitled to is not covered in this calculator

    For more information on granny flats, selling your home etc. see the FAQ's section

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Assets - not deemed by Centrelink

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Fire sale value - usually between $5-10k

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Non Deemed Assets

    Non-deemed Assets:

    These are assets that Centrelink believe you do not receive an annual increase in value. For example, cars usually fall in value.

    CARS: - You can use the 'red book' value or use one of the internet sites to show Centrelink similar values.
    This can be found in the Red Book at www.redbookasiapacific.com.au

    BOATS/BIKES etc:- market value - as per cars.

    HOME CONTENTS:- this should be the fire sale value of the home contents, and usually falls less than $10,000 and more typically around $5,000.

    PROPERTY:- this should be the market value of the property less any mortgage. If you do not have a market value use your rates notice value. If you received any income from this property, complete the income section with the annual amount, less costs - e.g. mortgage, management fees etc.

    ALLOCATED PENSIONS: - The asset value of these Income Streams is counted in the Asset Test, therefore only include the asset value of the pension.
    Also include in this amount any
    'ORDINARY ANNUITY' - The asset value of these Income Streams is counted in the Asset Test
    'COMPLYING ANNUITY' - Only include the value counted (50% or 0), not the full value.
    'TAP PENSION' - Only include the value counted, not the full value.
    'BONDS in F/T' - The asset value of the Bond.

    NOTE if your partner is under the age pension age do not include his/her amount in this asset value. The logic goes something like (being very loose with the ruling) "they can not get access to the money, therefore it is not an asset"

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Red book value for all cars, trucks etc.

Only the value, net of the mortgage, need be entered here.

The asset value for these will be assessed under the assets test. For Complying Annuities, only include the 'value counted' (50% or 0) not the full value. For TAP schemes, only include the value counted, not the full value. Income from these products will be entered under the income section and assessed under the income test..

This is automatically calculated from values entered above.

Investments - Assets deemed by Centrelink

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All bank account balances, term deposits, debentures, managed funds etc. that earn an interest - i.e. exclude credit cards.

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Deemed Assets

    Deemed Assets:

    These are assets that Centrelink believe you receive benefit - increase in value.

    Rather than looking at each asset and determining the actual rate of return for all assets classes, ' Centrelink will only apply an published 'average'.

    That is, you may be achieving a higher rate on your term deposits, but Centrelink will only use their deeming rate. Equally your standard saving account may be returning a lesser rate etc.

    Your 'deeming' assets will have this standard rate of return applied to each. The calculator will display the total deemed income associated with these assets.

    Some of these assets are periodically and automatically updated by Centrelink. If you feel that the assets - e.g. Shares - have fallen in value then provide Centrelink with revaluations as frequently as appropriate. The same for investment properties etc. should the valuation change, mortgage change etc.

    SUPER: - only include the asset value of the super. NOTE if your partner is under the age pension age do not include his/her amount in this asset value. The logic goes something like (being very loose with the ruling) "they can not get access to the money, therefore it is not an asset"

    LOANS: - make sure you include any money owed to you - from family and friends, your own company etc.

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Current value of all shares held.

Asset value of super funds - refer notes

Any money that has been lent by you and is still owed.

Any other asset that may earn interest..

This is automatically calculated from values entered above.

Income

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Gross ANNUAL wages

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Income

    INCOME:

    All income should be shown on a gross annual basis. Salary sacrificing etc. is ignored for the income test.

    WAGES: - Centrelink provide a Work Bonus Scheme for on the age pension. For example, the first $6,500 of wages will be exempt from the income test. The calculator will automatically calculate this Work Bonus Benefit entitlement.

    INVESTMENT PROPERTY: - please record the nett income - that is, the gross rental income, less costs etc.

    PENSION INCOME: - Enter only the nett benefit from an income stream. That is, an income stream may have a 'deductible amount'. In this case deduct his amount from the total income received for the year. Please enter the annual AUD amount for overseas pensions.

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If applicable - Gross ANNUAL wages for partner. For the work bonus scheme benefits it will be assumed your partner is also of age pension qualified.

Income derived from any non-Centrelink pension.

Any nett income obtained from investment property.

Any other income source?

This is automatically calculated from values entered above (including deemed income) and is a net value - i.e. includes work bonus benefits etc..

Estimated Age Pension ($/pf)

The estimated age pension will automatically change based on the above supplied data.
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    Using the Pension Calculator

    To determine the current level of pension that you should be receiving, simply enter the required information into each 'box'. Your estimated fortnightly pension will automatically displayed at the bottom of the page, as each amount is entered.

    In each category - Income, Assets etc. - follow the links to get more information and FAQ's.

    If your current pension amount is different to the result displayed by our Calculator, please be sure to contact us to discuss so we can assist you in ensuring you get your full entitlement.

    The factors used in this calculator are limited and should only be a guide, and designed for the more common situations. For example, this calculator does not cover the 'illness separated' situation where income tests are extended etc.

    However we will continue to modify the coverage and criteria to ensure they cover the more common requests.

    Please feel free to contact us should you have suggestions on this calculator

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What if?

This section show what would happen to the pension if you had additional $10,000 in income, and also what would happen if you had an additional $50,000 in assets. This is to be compared to the amount shown above.

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About your Pension

      Using the Pension Calculator

      The amount displayed is a per fortnight amount for each pensioner

      If you have assets or income over the minimum levels the calculator will adjust the entitlement. In these cases the calculator will display if it is an Asset or Income based pension.

      That is, Centrelink will apply the asset test, and the income test, and determine which will provide the least payment!

      For example, if you are on an Income based pension - i.e. your income levels are above the minimum - changing your assets may not provide any increase to your entitlements; and visa a versa.

      Play with the calculator to see what those thresholds are for your pension

      The What If section

      This section provides a very basic picture of how new increased income and assets levels will impact on your pension. Each are treated independently.

      The new income level is total - including deemed income, net of any work bonus entitlement etc.

      The new asset level is for non-deemed assets. The impact of deemed assets are considered in the new income levels.

      If you require a more detailed impact statement, modify the calculator entries.

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