Starting September 2025 the Age Pension for couples will go up to $3,300 each month. This equals $1,777 every two weeks. Centrelink made this change to help retired people deal with rising living costs and inflation. The increase follows their normal schedule for pension updates in October. The new payment amounts will start on September 20, 2025 and last until March 19 2026. All pensioners who qualify will get these new rates whether they are already receiving payments or just starting their pension.
Who is Eligible for the Higher Age Pension in 2025?
To get the Age Pension in 2025, one person in a couple needs to be 67 or older. This rule applies to people born after January 1 1957. You must be an Australian resident and have lived in Australia for at least 10 years. Five of these years need to be in a row. You also need to pass tests that look at your income and what you own. These tests are different for people who own homes and those who don’t. The age rules and living in Australia rules must be met too.
New Centrelink Age Pension Rates for Couples 2025
| Payment Item | Amount per Fortnight | Amount per Month | Annual Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age Pension (Couple) | $1,777 | ~$3,300 | $46,202 |
| Age Pension (Single) | $1,178 | ~$2,300 | $30,646 |
Detailed Guide to Income and Asset Tests for Pensioners
To get the full Age Pension couples who own a home can’t have assets worth more than $481,500. For couples who don’t own a home, the limit is $739,500. If you want a partial pension and own a home, you can have assets up to $1074,000. The government checks and updates these limits twice a year in March and September. They do this to keep up with changes in property values and investments. This helps make sure as many retired people as possible can get pension support.
Payment Schedule and Method for Centrelink Age Pension 2025
Centrelink sends pension payments every two weeks straight to people’s bank accounts. The payment dates for late 2025 will be October 2 16 and 30, November 13 and 27, and December 11 & 25. This regular payment schedule helps people plan their money better and makes sure they have cash ready for their daily expenses.
Tips for Maximising Your Retirement Benefits in Australia
Extra payments are available for retired couples who get a full pension. These include the Pension Supplement and Energy Supplement. The money helps cover basic costs like health care & power bills. The payments come with the main pension each time. The government checks these payment rates often to make sure they keep up with rising prices and wages. This helps seniors maintain their standard of living as costs go up over time. The system aims to support older people with their daily expenses in a fair way.
