Can you get the Australian Age Pension if you live overseas? Understanding the rules
While the Australian Age Pension is designed primarily for residents of Australia, the payment is portable under certain conditions, meaning it can continue to be paid while you are living abroad. The exact amount and payment rules depend on several factors, including your Australian Working Life Residency, the length of your absence, and whether you are moving to a country with which Australia has a social security agreement. Understanding these rules is critical for any pensioner planning a move overseas or an extended trip.
Short-term versus long-term absence
For most pensioners, the impact of living overseas on your Age Pension depends on the duration of your absence. Temporary trips of less than six weeks typically do not affect payments. However, stays between 6 and 26 weeks may result in reduced or ceased supplementary payments. For long-term or permanent moves (over 26 weeks), your Age Pension rate is determined by your Australian Working Life Residency (AWLR), the period you were an Australian resident between 16 and your Age Pension age. A full means-tested pension rate is generally paid if your AWLR is 35 years or more. If your AWLR is less than 35 years, your pension is paid proportionally.
The impact of international social security agreements
Australia has social security agreements with various countries to assist individuals in accessing pensions across borders. These agreements can help meet minimum residency requirements by combining residency periods in Australia and the agreement country. While agreements can facilitate claiming the Age Pension from overseas, proportional portability rules based on AWLR may still apply if it's less than 35 years. Australian income and assets tests also continue to apply.
Special rules for returning residents
If you return to Australia and are granted the Age Pension after living overseas, you must reside in Australia continuously for at least two years before the pension becomes portable again. Leaving before this period may lead to payments being stopped or cancelled.
Comparison of Age Pension rules for overseas stays
| Feature | Short-Term Absence (under 6 weeks) | Long-Term Absence (over 26 weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| Payment Rate | Unchanged | Calculated based on Australian Working Life Residency (AWLR). Potentially proportional if AWLR is less than 35 years. |
| Supplements | Mostly continue | Pension Supplement reduced to basic rate. Energy Supplement stops. Other supplements may stop. |
| Payment Frequency | Every 2 weeks (into Australian bank account) | Generally every 4 weeks (into Australian or overseas bank account). |
| Notification to Services Australia | Not required | Required if leaving to live overseas or for more than 6 weeks. |
| Social Security Agreement Impact | No impact | Can help with residency requirements for eligibility. |
| Means Test | Continues | Continues. |
| Portability Requirements | Not applicable | Requires continuous Australian residency for 2 years after grant if returning from overseas. |
Conclusion
Receiving the Australian Age Pension while living overseas is possible but depends on your residency history, the duration of your absence, and international agreements. Long-term moves necessitate careful planning and communication with Services Australia, with your Australian Working Life Residency being a key factor for payment rates. A two-year waiting period for portability applies to those returning to Australia before moving abroad again. Means testing continues while overseas, and it's essential to keep your information updated with Services Australia. Further information can be found on the Services Australia website.
