Understanding the Pensioner Support Payment in Australia
When Australians refer to the "pensioner support payment," they are most often talking about the Age Pension, the primary income support payment for senior Australians. It's provided by the Australian Government through Services Australia (Centrelink) to eligible residents who have reached the qualifying age. The payment is not a flat rate for everyone; it's calculated based on your income, assets, and living situation (whether you are single or part of a couple). The rates are indexed twice a year, typically on March 20 and September 20, to keep up with changes in the cost of living.
Age Pension Rates for 2025 (Effective 20 September 2025)
As of the latest indexation on 20 September 2025, the maximum Age Pension payment rates saw an increase to help pensioners manage cost-of-living pressures. These rates include the base pension plus the maximum Pension Supplement and the Energy Supplement.
- Single Person: The maximum fortnightly payment increased by $29.70 to $1,178.70.
- Couple (each): The rate for each person in a couple increased by $22.40 to $888.50 per fortnight.
- Couple (combined): Together, a couple can receive a maximum of $1,777.00 per fortnight.
What are the Supplements?
Your total pension payment is made up of several parts:
- Base Pension: The standard pension amount.
- Pension Supplement: An extra payment to help with the costs of prescriptions, utilities, and internet. As of September 2025, the maximum fortnightly supplement is $84.90 for singles and $64.00 for each member of a couple.
- Energy Supplement: A payment to assist with energy costs. For a single person, this is $14.10 per fortnight, and for a couple, it's $10.60 each.
Eligibility for the Age Pension in 2025
To receive the pensioner support payment, you must meet several key criteria:
- Age: You must be 67 years or older. This age was gradually increased and has been set at 67 since 1 July 2023.
- Residency: You must be an Australian resident and in Australia on the day you claim. Generally, you need to have been an Australian resident for at least 10 years continuously.
- Income and Assets Tests: You must pass both an income test and an assets test. Centrelink will apply both tests and use the one that results in the lower pension payment.
The Income Test
To receive the full pension as of September 2025:
- A single person's income must be no more than $218 per fortnight.
- A couple's combined income must be no more than $380 per fortnight.
Once your income exceeds these thresholds, your pension payment reduces by 50 cents for every dollar over for a single person, and 25 cents for every dollar over for each person in a couple. You can still receive a partial pension until your income reaches the upper cut-off point, which is $2,575.40 per fortnight for a single person.
The Assets Test
To receive the full pension as of September 2025:
- Single Homeowner: Assets must be below $321,500.
- Single Non-homeowner: Assets must be below $579,500.
- Couple Homeowner (combined): Assets must be below $481,500.
- Couple Non-homeowner (combined): Assets must be below $739,500.
Your principal home is not included in the assets test. If your assets are above these limits, you may receive a partial pension until you reach the upper asset limit (e.g., $714,500 for a single homeowner).
Age Pension Rates: Single vs. Couple Comparison Table
| Situation | Max. Basic Rate (p.f.) | Max. Pension Supp. (p.f.) | Energy Supp. (p.f.) | Total Max. Payment (p.f.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $1,079.70 | $84.90 | $14.10 | $1,178.70 |
| Couple (each) | $813.90 | $64.00 | $10.60 | $888.50 |
| Couple (combined) | $1,627.80 | $128.00 | $21.20 | $1,777.00 |
p.f. = per fortnight
Conclusion
Understanding the Australian pensioner support payment is crucial for financial planning in retirement. The rates effective from 20 September 2025 provide a clear picture of the maximum support available, with a single person eligible for up to $1,178.70 per fortnight. However, your final payment depends entirely on your personal circumstances, including your income, assets, and whether you are single or have a partner. It is always recommended to use the resources on the official Services Australia website or speak with a financial advisor to get advice tailored to your specific situation.
