Changes to the Assets Test for Centrelink Aged Pensions Posted on October 9, 2018
Firstly, let’s look and see who these measures apply to.
If you are over 65 and in receipt of a full or part Aged Pension, then you need to be aware that for every $1,000 owned above the assets test free amount your pension will be reduced by $3 (this was previously reduced by $1.50 for every $1,000).
The thresholds that apply are dependent on whether you are single or a couple, own your own home or not, and are either in receipt of a full or part pension.
For those on full pensions and are single homeowners, the pension starts reducing when assets reach $250,000. For couples it is when their assets reach $375,000. For non-homeowners, it is $450,000 for a single and $575,000 for a couple.
For single homeowners with a part pension, the pension cuts out when assets exceed $542,500 and for a couple it stops when assets exceed $816,000.
For non-homeowners who are single the pension ceases when assets exceed $742,500 and for couples, when assets exceed $1,016,000.
What assets are included in the threshold?
The market value of most of your assets is taken into account when calculating your Age Pension. This includes, but is not limited to, things such as:
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Property (excluding your home)
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Motor vehicles, boats and caravans
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Financial investments
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Superannuation in you’re over Age Pension age
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Business assets
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Household contents and personal effects
For some, there will be little or no effect at all. They had always planned that their SMSF would provide them with their income stream in retirement. For other trustees these changes may impact on their spending patterns and the quality of life they are looking at in retirement.
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
For those pensioners who lost their Age Pension entitlement on 1 January 2017, all is not lost! You will be issued with a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and this card is exempt from the usual income test requirements indefinitely.
How can we help?
If you are concerned that the Government’s changes to the Aged Pension are going to affect you, please contact us to discuss your particular requirements in more detail.
