Age Pension rates
Rates from 20 September 2026. Next change 20 March 2027.
Income support for people who have reached Age Pension age, 67, and meet the residence rules and the income and assets tests. These are the maximum rates; the income and assets tests can reduce what you get.
Maximum rate, single
$1,237.70a fortnight
$32,180.20 a year.
- Couple, each
- $933.00
- Basic rate change on 20 Sep
- +$35.10 (3.2%)
- Next change
- 20 March 2027
How the basic rate has moved
Dollars a fortnightMaximum Age Pension from 20 September 2026
These rates apply until 19 March 2027. The maximum for people living in Australia: the basic rate plus the pension supplement and the energy supplement.
| Situation | A fortnight |
|---|---|
| Single | $1,237.70 |
| Couple, each | $933.00 |
| Couple, combined | $1,866.00 |
What makes up the rate
A basic rate, plus two supplements. Both supplements are paid on top of the basic rate to people living in Australia. Away for more than 6 weeks, the energy supplement stops; living overseas, or away for more than 12 weeks, most people get the basic rate alone.
- Single$1,237.70
- Couple, each$933.00
| A fortnight | Single | Couple, each |
|---|---|---|
| Basic rate | $1,135.40 | $855.90 |
| Pension supplement | $88.20 | $66.50 |
| Energy supplement | $14.10 | $10.60 |
| Maximum | $1,237.70 | $933.00 |
How income and assets reduce the rate
The income and assets limits from 20 September 2026. Centrelink works the rate out under an income test and an assets test, and pays whichever gives less. Income over the free area takes 50c in the dollar off the fortnightly rate (25c each for a couple); assets over the free area take $3 a fortnight for every $1,000. Your home isn't counted.
Income test
Hover or tap a dot for where the rate starts to fall and where it stops.
| Income a fortnight | Full rate up to | Stops at about |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $226 | $2,701.40 |
| Couple, combined | $396 | $4,128.00 |
Assets test
Solid lines for homeowners, dashed for people who don't own their home.
| Assets | Full rate up to | Stops at about |
|---|---|---|
| Single homeowner | $333,000 | $745,750 |
| Single, not a homeowner | $600,000 | $1,012,750 |
| Couple homeowners | $499,000 | $1,121,000 |
| Couple, not homeowners | $766,000 | $1,388,000 |
Deeming: savings, shares and other financial assets count as earning 1.75% a year on the first $66,800 ($110,600 for a couple) and 3.75% above, whatever they actually earn. Limits from the Social Security Guide, 4.10.3 and 4.4.1.10; the cut-offs are worked out from them.
Has it kept up with prices?
Ten years ago, in July 2016, the basic rate was $794.80 a fortnight (single). It's $1,135.40 now, 42.9% more. Prices rose 34.7% over the same stretch, going by the ABS consumer price index from the September quarter 2016 to the June quarter 2026, so it has more than kept pace.
Since July 2016
- Basic rate, single+42.9%
- Prices, by the consumer price index+34.7%
The last ten changes
| From | Single | Couple, each |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Sept 2026 | $1,135.40 | $855.90 |
| 20 Mar 2026 | $1,100.30 | $829.40 |
| 20 Sept 2025 | $1,079.70 | $813.90 |
| 20 Mar 2025 | $1,051.30 | $792.50 |
| 20 Sept 2024 | $1,047.10 | $789.30 |
| 20 Mar 2024 | $1,020.60 | $769.30 |
| 20 Sept 2023 | $1,002.50 | $755.70 |
| 20 Mar 2023 | $971.50 | $732.30 |
| 20 Sept 2022 | $936.80 | $706.20 |
| 20 Mar 2022 | $900.80 | $679.00 |
Next change: 20 March 2027
Indexed on 20 March and 20 September to the higher of the Consumer Price Index and the Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index, then checked against male total average weekly earnings so pensions keep pace with wages.
The Department of Social Services sets these rates in its Social Security Guide; Services Australia pays them through Centrelink. Your own rate depends on your income, assets, living arrangements and other payments, so check it with Services Australia before you plan around it.
Questions people ask
- How much is the Age Pension?
- From 20 September 2026, the maximum is $1,237.70 a fortnight (single), or $32,180.20 a year, and $933.00 a fortnight couple, each. These are maximum rates: the income and assets tests can reduce them.
- When does the Age Pension go up next?
- On 20 March 2027. Indexed on 20 March and 20 September to the higher of the Consumer Price Index and the Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index, then checked against male total average weekly earnings so pensions keep pace with wages. The new rates appear here when the Department of Social Services publishes them.
- How much did the Age Pension go up on 20 September 2026?
- The basic rate rose $35.10 a fortnight, 3.2%, from $1,100.30 to $1,135.40 (single).
- What was the Age Pension ten years ago?
- In July 2016, the basic rate was $794.80 a fortnight (single), set on 20 March 2016. It is $1,135.40 now.
- Has the Age Pension kept up with inflation?
- Ten years ago, in July 2016, the basic rate was $794.80 a fortnight (single). It's $1,135.40 now, 42.9% more. Prices rose 34.7% over the same stretch, going by the ABS consumer price index from the September quarter 2016 to the June quarter 2026, so it has more than kept pace.
- What are the Age Pension assets test limits?
- A homeowner gets the full pension with assessable assets up to $333,000 (single) or $499,000 (couple combined), and a part pension until about $745,750 or $1,121,000. For non-homeowners the limits are $600,000 and $766,000, with part pensions until about $1,012,750 and $1,388,000. The home itself isn't counted.
- How much can I earn on the Age Pension?
- $226 a fortnight single, or $396 combined for a couple, before the rate falls. Each dollar over takes 50c off (25c each for a couple), so the pension stops at about $2,701.40 a fortnight single or $4,128.00 combined. Financial assets count as income at the deeming rates: 1.75% on the first $66,800 ($110,600 for a couple) and 3.75% above.
- Where do these rates come from?
- The Department of Social Services' Social Security Guide, which sets out the rates Services Australia pays through Centrelink. We read it daily and update this page when it changes. Check your own rate with Services Australia: it depends on your income, assets and circumstances.
Source: Department of Social Services, Social Security Guide, sections 5.1.8.10 and 5.2.2.10, © Commonwealth of Australia, licensed CC BY 4.0, read 8 Oct 2026 and arranged by The Finance Algorithm. Not affiliated with Services Australia or Centrelink. Maximum rates before the income and assets tests. General information, not financial advice.