10 October 2024
If you’re approaching retirement, or have retired and are about to reach the qualifying age for the Government Age Pension, you may be considering applying for payments. When assessing your eligibility, the government performs what’s called an ‘assets test’.
Planning financially for retirement can help you step into this stage of life with more confidence and less anxiety. That's why it may be useful to have some understanding of the Government Age Pension eligibility criteria, such as residency and age requirements.
To help work out if you’re eligible for full or part payments, the government will also perform an income test and an assets test.
READ MORE: INCOME TEST FOR THE AGE PENSION
Understanding the Government Age Pension assets test
What the assets test is
The assets test is one of several ways the government assesses your eligibility for the Government Age Pension.
Being age 67 or over doesn’t necessarily mean you’re automatically entitled to fortnightly payments. If you earn too much, or your assets are worth too much, you might not be eligible.
Types of assets assessed
The assets test considers the value of any assets you or your partner own, including, but not limited to:
- a car
- business assets
- property (not including your primary residence)
- the balance of your super and retirement income accounts (yours and your partner’s)1
- investments, such as cash, shares, term deposits and bonds
- private trusts and private companies.
The test may also consider assets that mightn’t seem as obvious, such as:
- any deposits you’ve paid to live in a ‘granny flat’ or retirement village for the rest of your life
- any cash gifts or assets you’ve given to family members or friends (above certain limits).
For more details on each of these assets and their impact, as well as a complete list of all the assets considered under the test, visit the Services Australia website.
How your assets are valued
The government considers what you'd get for your assets if you sold them at current market value. You may need to provide up-to-date information about your assets as part of the process.
If you received an unsecured loan specifically to buy the asset, this may reduce the value of the asset.
How the assets test and income test work together
Once you apply for the pension through Centrelink, the government will review how much your assets are worth (the assets test) and how much income you get (the income test). The test resulting in the lower pension rate will be the one you’re eligible for.
Age Pension asset limits – How your assets’ value determines your pension amount
How much your assets are worth (along with your level of income) will determine:
- if you’re eligible for the Government Age Pension
- the payment rate of any pension you receive.
Full Age Pension asset limits
The table below shows the maximum amount of asset value you can have before your pension benefit will reduce.
| IF YOU'RE | A HOMEOWNER | NOT A HOMEOWNER |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $314,000 | $566,000 |
| A couple (combined) | $470,000 | $722,000 |
| A couple, separated due to illness (combined) | $470,000 | $722,000 |
| A couple, with one partner eligible (combined) | $470,000 | $722,000 |
Part Age Pension asset limits
If the value of your assets is above the limit listed, you may still be eligible for a part Age Pension.
If you’re part of a couple, the limit relates to both yours and your partner’s assets combined, not each of you individually.
The below table shows the maximum asset value you can have to keep receiving a part pension.
| IF YOU'RE | A HOMEOWNER | NOT A HOMEOWNER |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $695,500 | $947,500 |
| A couple (combined) | $1,045,500 | $1,297,500 |
| A couple, separated due to illness (combined) | $1,233,000 | $1,485,000 |
| A couple, with one partner eligible (combined) | $1,045,500 | $1,297,500 |
If you get Rent Assistance from the government, your cut-off point will be higher. Find out more about Rent Assistance on the Services Australia website.
READ MORE: AM I ELIGIBLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT AGE PENSION?
How home ownership impacts the assets test
If you own the home you live in (providing it’s on less than 2 hectares of land), it generally won’t count as an asset in the assets test. However, owning your own home could still affect the rate of your fortnightly Age Pension payment. That’s because the asset limits set by the government are different for homeowners and non-homeowners – as shown in the tables above.
If you sell your home from 1 January 2023 with plans to buy another home within 24 months, sale proceeds to buy, build, repair or renovate your new primary residences may be exempt or disregarded in your assets test. Find the latest information about the assets test on the Services Australia’s website.
Types of assets that are exempt from the test
There are a few assets exempt from the test. These include, but not limited to:
- your primary residence and surrounding land (up to 2 hectares on the same title);
- Some properties larger than 2 hectares (on the same title);
- Accommodation bonds paid if you move into a residential aged care facility;
- An assessable asset from a deceased estate that you can't access (generally up to 12 months is acceptable). If it takes longer than 12 months to receive, further factors may need to be considered2; and
- Money you’re paid from the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
For more details on each of these, as well as a complete list of all the assets exempt under the test, visit the Services Australia website.
FIND OUT MORE: SUPER AND THE AGE PENSION
Personalised advice can help you
The Government Age Pension assets test can be complex, which is why it may be worth speaking to AustralianSuper about access to different advice options.
If you'd like some help planning your retirement, register for a free webinar and explore these helpful articles and guides.
For personal advice, connect with one of our team members who can put you in touch with a financial adviser3.
- While you’re under the Age Pension age, your superannuation isn’t counted in the income and assets test, if your fund isn‘t paying you a superannuation pension. If your fund is paying you a superannuation pension, it is assessable. How it’s assessed depends on the type of income stream. Information accurate as at July 2024: Services Australia
- Types of assets that are exempt from the test. https://guides.dss.gov.au/social-security-guide/4/6/5/80
- Personal financial product advice is provided under the Australian Financial Services Licence held by a third party and not by AustralianSuper Pty Ltd. Fees may apply.
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The government may change eligibility criteria and pension payment amounts. For the latest information on the Government Age Pension please see servicesaustralia.gov.au/age-pension
This may include general financial advice which doesn’t take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision consider if the information is right for you and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement, available at australiansuper.com/pds or by calling 1300 300 273. A Target Market Determination (TMD) is a document that outlines the target market a product has been designed for. Find the TMDs at australiansuper.com/TMD.
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