How the Age Pension works
Media Super has merged with Cbus. When you open a Transition to Retirement or Fully Retired Super Income Stream account, you’ll be welcomed into Cbus Super.
The Age Pension is a fortnightly payment from the government to help eligible Australians manage their retirement.
On this page:
- Are you eligible for the Age Pension?
- How much could you receive?
- Applying for the Age Pension
- Frequently asked questions
- Where to go for help
Not sure how the Age Pension works?
Watch this short video to learn the essentials and how to apply.
Are you eligible for the Age Pension?
Even if you’re earning some income from your super, you could still qualify for this extra support. To qualify for the Age Pension, you need to meet certain criteria.
You can check your eligibility at Services Australia.
Are you old enough?
From 1 January 2024, you must be 67 years or older.
Do you meet residency rules?
You generally need to have been an Australian resident for at least 10 years in total, with at least five years being continuous.
Do your income and assets meet the eligibility criteria?
Your eligibility depends on income and asset tests. Learn more in the 'What can impact your Age Pension payment?' section below.
Age Pension eligibility calculators
Don't miss out on the Government benefits you deserve.
If you’re under 66
Find out what your income might be from super and the Age Pension after you retire, with the Retirement income calculator.
If you’re 66 or over
Find out how much Age Pension you might get and when you may be able to claim it, with the Age Pension calculator. Using this calculator, you will leave the Media Super website.
How much could you receive?
The maximum Age Pension rates from 20 March 2026 are below.
The amount you may receive depends on the income test and the assets test. You’ll get paid under the test that produces the lower rate of payment.
Learn more about Age Pension rates on Services Australia.
| Per fortnight |
Single |
Couple combined |
|
Maximum basic rate |
$1,100.30 |
$1,658.80 |
|
Maximum Pension supplement |
$86.50 |
$130.40 |
|
Energy supplement |
$14.10 |
$21.20 |
| Total |
$1,200.90 |
$1,810.40 |
What can impact your Age Pension payment?
Your assets also impact your eligibility and Age Pension amount. Assets include property or possessions you own or have interest in, including any assets held outside Australia. They don’t usually include the home you live in, which is considered your primary place of residence.
See a full list of assets included in the assets test.
Different limits apply, depending on:
- If you’re single, a couple or a couple not living together due to illness or infirmity
- If you’re a homeowner or not
Your Age Pension amount starts reducing by $3.00 for every $1,000 your assets exceed the lower limit.
Homeowners (own or paying off)
|
If value of assets is lower than |
If value of assets is more than |
|
|
Single |
$321,500 |
$722,000 |
|
Couple – combined assets |
$481,500 |
$1,085,000 |
|
Couple, separated due to illness – combined assets |
$481,500 |
$1,282,500 |
|
Full Pension payable |
No Pension payable |
Non-homeowner (renting or living in rent-free accommodation)
|
If value of assets is lower than |
If value of assets is more than |
|
|
Single |
$579,500 |
$980,500 |
|
Couple – combined assets |
$739,500 |
$1,343,000 |
|
Couple, separated due to illness – combined assets |
$739,500 |
$1,540,500 |
|
Full Pension payable |
No Pension payable |
Amounts as at 20 March 2026.
Learn more about the assets test at Services Australia.
Your income determines if you’re eligible for the Age Pension and how much you’ll receive. Income includes things like wages from employment, some pension payments and annuity payments, rental income from investment properties and income from outside of Australia.
Different limits apply to couples and singles. From 20 March 2026 these limits are:
|
Household |
You are entitled to a full Age Pension if: |
Your Age Pension will reduce by: |
You are not entitled to an Age Pension if: |
|
Single |
You earn less than $218 per fortnight |
50 cents for every dollar of fortnightly income above $218 |
You earn more than $2,619.80 per fortnight |
|
Couple (combined income) |
You earn less than $380 per fortnight |
25 cents for every dollar of fortnightly income above $380 |
You earn more than $4,000.80 per fortnight |
Find out more about the income test at Services Australia.
If you’re over the Age Pension age, the Work Bonus can help you earn extra income without reducing your Age Pension payments. Here’s how it works:
- The first $300 of fortnightly income from employment is not included under the income test
- If you earn less than $300 in a fortnight or don’t work at all, any unused amount is added to a Work Bonus income bank
- The Work Bonus income bank can grow up to a maximum of $11,800
- Accumulated Work Bonus amounts are used to further reduce your income before the income test is applied
- Newly eligible pensioners start with a $4,000 Work Bonus balance
Find out more about the Work Bonus at Services Australia.
Applying for the Age Pension
You can apply 13 weeks before you reach your Age Pension age. It’s a good idea to start early and get your documents ready.
Get your documents ready
You'll need: A form of identification Your Tax File Number Your bank account details Financial information (including all sources of income and the value of any assets you own).
How to apply
Online through your myGov account, or In person, by visiting a Centrelink Service Centre Tip: Starting early can help avoid delays.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, your super is included in the income test and assets test, which can impact your eligibility and Age Pension amounts.
The exact amount you may get is affected by a number of factors, so it can be complex to work out.
If you're 66 or older, try the Age Pension calculator to get an estimate of how much Age Pension you might get. Using this calculator, you will leave the Media Super website.
While the information on this page will give you some guidance, we recommend you contact Centrelink directly to discuss your personal circumstances.
This depends on whether you’re single or part of a couple, and if you own your own home (outright or paying off).
It’s important to let Centrelink know about any changes as soon as possible.
You may not qualify for the full Age Pension, but you could be eligible for a part payment. If you’re not eligible to receive an Age Pension payment, you may be eligible to get a Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card, subject to meeting certain criteria. Chat to Centrelink to check your options.
Where to go for help
Member Advice Services
Our Advice team can help you understand your options and offer different levels of guidance depending on what you need.
Come to a retirement seminar
Learn more about retirement and super at one of our seminars. Topics covered include retirement planning, the government Age Pension and transition to retirement.
Retirement Essentials
Media Super is proud to partner with Retirement Essentials, experts in simplifying the Age Pension and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card application process for you. Get a free eligibility calculation, with a fee payable when you finish your application. You can complete your application online from the security of your own home, with back-up telephone support if you need it.