Starting in April 2025, many older Australians will see a major increase in their Age Pension payments. This $891 boost will give pensioners more money to help with the rising cost of living.
If you’re retired or planning to retire soon, it’s important to know who qualifies for this increase, how much you could receive, and when the changes will happen. Let’s break it down simply and clearly.
How Much Is the Pension Increase and Who Will Get It?
From April 2025, Age Pension recipients will get up to $891 more every 28 days. That means each fortnight (every two weeks), single pensioners could receive an extra $445.50, while couples will see a larger combined payment.
New Payment Rates Breakdown:
- Single Pensioners (Full Rate): From $1,004.50 → Around $1,450 per fortnight
- Couples (Combined Full Rate): From $1,511.90 → Around $2,168 per fortnight
- Partial Pensioners: Amount will increase too, based on how much income or savings they have
Financial expert Thomas Wilson explains: “This is more than just a routine update. It’s a special increase added on top of the regular cost-of-living adjustment to help older Australians manage better.”
Who Is Eligible for the Full Age Pension Increase?
Not everyone will get the full amount. There are some clear rules you need to meet to receive the maximum increase.
Age and Residency Rules:
- You must be at least 67 years old (if born after Jan 1, 1957)
- You must have lived in Australia for at least 10 years, with 5 years in a row
- You must be living in Australia when you apply
Income and Assets Test (Updated in 2025):
- You can earn a bit more and still get the pension due to higher income limits
- Your assets (like property and savings) are checked to decide your pension amount
- Deeming rates (how your investments are counted) stay the same
Good news: If you work part-time or have small investments, the new limits mean you can earn more without losing your pension.
Special Groups That Still Qualify
Some people can get the increased pension even if they don’t pass the regular tests:
- Blind pensioners (no income test)
- Disabled pensioners who are over the Age Pension age
- Carers over the Age Pension age
- Some veterans receiving special payments
These groups will also benefit from the April 2025 increase.
Important Dates: When Will the Payments Start?
Here’s a quick look at the important dates for the pension increase rollout:
March 2025:
- March 15: Letters sent to pensioners with updated info
- March 20: New income and asset limits published
- March 31: Last regular payment before the change
April 2025:
- April 1–4: Transition period (no new payments during this time)
- April 5–11: First payments with the new rates are made
- April 30: The full review of the new system is completed
Tip: If you apply after April 1, your payment will be calculated using the new, higher rates, which can save you from redoing paperwork.
How This Increase Affects Different Pensioners
Full-Rate Pensioners
- You get the full boost automatically
- No action needed—money comes as usual
Elizabeth Santos, who gets the full pension, says: “With past increases, it just showed up in my account. I expect the same this time.”
Partial-Rate Pensioners
- Your payment will go up too
- The exact amount depends on how much you earn and what you own
Some partial pensioners might even start receiving the full rate if the new limits allow it.
New Pension Applicants
- Apply before March 20 → You’ll start with old rates, then move to the new ones in April
- Apply after April 1 → You’ll get the new, higher payments from the start
Claims can still be backdated for up to 13 weeks, if you were eligible during that time.
How to Check Your Payment or Apply for the Pension
Not sure how this affects you? Here’s how you can check:
Online Tools:
- Services Australia Website has calculators (updated from March 20, 2025)
Call:
- Age Pension Line: 132 300 – You can get a personalized estimate
What You’ll Need:
- ID (passport or driver’s license)
- Proof of where you live (rental or home ownership)
- Income info (bank, super, investments)
- Asset details (car, home value, etc.)
- Partner’s information (if married or in a relationship)
Sandra Martinez, who helps seniors apply, says: “Having your documents ready can speed things up, especially during busy times like this.”
Extra Benefits That Come with the Pension Increase
This isn’t just about the base pension. Some other related payments are also affected:
- Pension Supplement: Goes up with the pension
- Energy Supplement: No change
- Seniors Health Card: More people may now qualify
- Cheaper Medicines: Pensioners continue to get discounts through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
William Thompson, a new pensioner, explains: “The extra help with health and bills really adds up. It’s not just about the main payment.”
What You Should Do Now
If you already get the Age Pension, you don’t need to do anything. The higher payments will automatically be added to your regular cycle starting in April.
But if you’re about to apply or helping someone apply, try to do it after April 1 for less paperwork and faster results.
Most importantly, make sure your contact details are updated with Services Australia so you don’t miss out on letters or info about your payments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Age Pension increase in April 2025?
Starting in April 2025, the Age Pension will increase by up to $891 every 28 days. This means single pensioners will get an extra $445.50 each fortnight, while couples will receive more together.
When will the increased payments start?
The increased payments will be rolled out between April 5–11, 2025. Payments will follow the regular cycle, but they will include the higher pension amounts.
What if I apply for the Age Pension before April 1?
If you apply before March 20, you will receive payments based on the current rates. However, your payments will automatically adjust to the new rates starting in April.
Do I need to do anything to get the higher payments?
If you are already receiving the Age Pension, you do not need to do anything. The increased payments will be automatically added to your regular payment cycle starting in April 2025.
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