Australian Age Pension recipients will receive higher payments from September 20, with the maximum full rate rising by $36.80 a fortnight for singles and $55.60 for couples combined.
The increase will lift the typical maximum payment for a single resident pensioner to $1,237.70 a fortnight. The maximum rate for a partnered resident pensioner will rise to $933 a fortnight each, giving couples a combined total of $1,866 a fortnight.
Services Australia confirmed the changes in an announcement published on September 8. “The payment will increase by $36.80 a fortnight for singles, and $55.60 a fortnight for couples,” the agency said.
The Department of Social Services said the September changes resulted from indexation, which adjusts some government payment rates and limits. Its official rate table shows that the single pensioner’s typical total rate will rise from $1,200.90 to $1,237.70. The partnered rate will increase from $905.20 to $933 per person.
| Payment category | Current typical rate | Rate from September 20 | Increase |
| Single resident pensioner | $1,200.90 | $1,237.70 | $36.80 |
| Partnered resident pensioner, each | $905.20 | $933.00 | $27.80 |
| Partnered resident pensioners, combined | $1,810.40 | $1,866.00 | $55.60 |
The new amounts are the maximum typical rates for eligible resident pensioners. Actual payments can vary based on a person’s income, assets, relationship status, residency circumstances, and entitlement to supplements.
Services Australia said recipients would not need to apply for the increase. Payment details will be available through a recipient’s Centrelink online account or the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app, the agency said.
The September adjustment is part of the regular indexation of social security payments. Pension rates are generally reviewed twice a year, with changes taking effect in March and September.
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Robert is the founder of AustralianSenior.com.
He studies Journalism and Communications at USC and studied TV Presentation at NIDA. He is passionate about advocating for seniors and presenting non-biased, fact-based news to enable those over 50 to thrive in an increasingly complicated digital world. He covers all areas of life and style, from pop culture to the economy, travel, and events with a passion for supporting rural and regional destinations and opportunities. If it's worth reading, it's worth writing about.
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