The upper income thresholds for the Age
Background: An eligible individual must satisfy the
The income test threshold for FULL Age Pension entitlements is adjusted only once a year, on 1 July of each year. The additional adjustments to the thresholds in March and September affect Australians seeking a PART Age Pension.
The lower threshold for the income test, that is, the income limit that entitles an individual to a FULL Age Pension, is normally adjusted in line with the Consumer Price Index (measures inflation) on 1 July of each year.
The income test upper threshold however, is adjusted on 1 July of each year, and also adjusted in March and September of each year. The upper threshold is the limit that determines an individual’s eligibility to a PART Age Pension.
In summary, due to the six-monthly changes in the Age Pension rate, the upper threshold of the Age Pension income test is adjusted 3 times a year – in March, July and September.
Note: The actual rate of Age Pension is adjusted twice a year, in March and September. The Age Pension is adjusted in line with the highest of the Consumer Price Index, Male Average Weekly Total Earnings (MWATE) or Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index increases. The Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index is designed to index base pension rates when the living cost index is higher than the Consumer Price Index (inflation). (If you are looking for the latest Age Pension rates, you will find these rates in the SuperGuide article: Age Pension: March 2013 rates now available).
What are the Age Pension income test thresholds?
This article sets out 6 tables that list the income test thresholds for the following timeframes:
- From 20 March 2013 until 30 June 2013 (current thresholds)
- From 20 September 2012 until 19 March 2013
- From 1 July 2012 until 19 September 2012
- From 20 March 2012 until 30 June 2012
- From 20 September 2011 until 19 March 2012
- From 1 July 2011 until 19 September 2011
Income test thresholds effective from 20 March 2013
Note: For income test thresholds applicable before 20 March 2013, see later in the article.
The Age Pension income test threshold for the FULL Age Pension (effective from 1 July 2012 and updated again on 1 July 2013), and for a PART Age Pension (effective from 20 March 2013 until updated again on 1 July 2013) is set out in the table below.
| Age Pension INCOME test thresholds | ||||
| Situation | Full age Pension (effective from 1 July 2012 until 30 June 2013) | Part Age Pension (effective from 20 March 2013 until 30 June 2013) | ||
| Per fortnight | Annual income (approx) | Per fortnight | Annual income (approx) | |
| Single | $152 | $3,952 | $1,768.80 | $45,989 |
| Couple (combined) | $268 | $6,968 | $2,705.60 | $70,346 |
| Couple (separated due to illness) (combined) | $268 | $6,968 | $3,501.60 | $91,042 |
Source: Income thresholds are sourced from FAHCSIA http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/03_2013/indexation_pension_rates_march2013.pdf The income test thresholds for FULL Age Pension is adjusted annually on 1 July, and for the PART Age Pension adjusted on 1 July, and then adjusted again on 20 March and 20 September. The annualised threshold income figures are calculated by Trish Power.
The Age Pension income test for Transitional Rate FULL Age Pension eligibility (effective from 1 July 2012, until updated again on 1 July 2013) and Transitional Rate PART Age Pension eligibility (effective from 20 March 2013 until 30 June 2013) is set out in the table below. According to FAHCSIA, the notional maximum pension entitlement for transitional rate pensioners (including the Clean Energy Supplement), effective from March 2013, is $694.80 per fortnight for a single pensioner and $1,120.80 per fortnight combined for pensioner couples.
| Age Pension income test thresholds–Transitional Rate | ||||
| Situation | Full age Pension (effective from 1 July 2012 until 30 June 2013) | Part Age Pension (effective from 20 March 2013 until 30 June 2013) | ||
| Per fortnight | Annual income (approx) | Per fortnight | Annual income (approx) | |
| Single | $152 | $3,952 | $1,889.00 | $49,114 |
| Couple (combined) | $268 | $6,968 | $3,070.00 | $79,820 |
| Couple (separated due to illness) (combined) | $268 | $6,968 | $3,742.00 | $97,292 |
Source: FAHCSIA http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/03_2013/indexation_pension_rates_march2013.pdf The income test thresholds for Transitional Rate FULL Age Pension is adjusted annually on 1 July, and for Transitional Rate PART Age Pension is adjusted on 1 July, and on 20 March, and 20 September. If you’re a non-resident eligible for a transitional rate Age Pension, then your income test thresholds are slightly different: see FAHCSIA link in this paragraph for relevant income thresholds. The annualised threshold income figures are calculated by Trish Power.
Income test thresholds effective from 20 September 2012
Note: For income test thresholds applicable before 20 September 2012, see later in the article.
The Age Pension income test threshold for the FULL Age Pension (effective from 1 July 2012 and updated again on 1 July 2013), and for a PART Age Pension (effective from 20 September 2012 until updated again on 20 March 2013) is set out in the table below.
| Age Pension INCOME test thresholds | ||||
| Situation | Full age Pension (effective from 1 July 2012 until 30 June 2013) | Part Age Pension (effective from 20 September 2012 until 19 March 2013) | ||
| Per fortnight | Annual income (approx) | Per fortnight | Annual income (approx) | |
| Single | $152 | $3,952 | $1,697.20 | $44,127 |
| Couple (combined) | $268 | $6,968 | $2,597.60 | $67,538 |
| Couple (separated due to illness) (combined) | $268 | $6,968 | $3,358.40 | $87,318 |
Source: FAHCSIA http://jennymacklin.fahcsia.gov.au/node/2051 The income test thresholds for full Age Pension is adjusted annually on 1 July, and for the part Age Pension adjusted on 1 July, and then adjusted on 20 March and 20 September. The annualised threshold income figures are calculated by Trish Power.
The Age Pension income test for Transitional Rate FULL Age Pension eligibility (effective from 1 July 2012, until updated again on 1 July 2013) and Transitional Rate part Age Pension eligibility (effective from 20 September 2012 until 19 March 2013) is set out in the table below. According to
| Age Pension income test thresholds–Transitional Rate | ||||
| Situation | Full age Pension (effective from 1 July 2012 until 30 June 2013) | Part Age Pension (effective from 20 September 2012 until 19 March 2013) | ||
| Per fortnight | Annual income (approx) | Per fortnight | Annual income (approx) | |
| Single | $152 | $3,952 | $1,840.00 | $47,840 |
| Couple (combined) | $268 | $6,968 | $2,994.50 | $77,857 |
| Couple (separated due to illness) (combined) | $268 | $6,968 | $3,644.00 | $94,744 |
Source: FAHCSIA http://jennymacklin.fahcsia.gov.au/node/2051 The income test thresholds for Transitional Rate full Age Pension is adjusted annually on 1 July, and for Transitional Rate part Age Pension is adjusted on 1 July, and on 20 March, and 20 September. If you’re a non-resident eligible for a transitional rate Age Pension, then your income test thresholds are slightly different: see FAHCSIA link for relevant income thresholds. The annualised threshold income figures are calculated by Trish Power.
Income test thresholds effective from 1 July 2012
Note: For income test thresholds applicable before 1 July 2012, see later in the article.
The Age Pension income test threshold for the FULL Age Pension (effective from 1 July 2012 and updated again on 1 July 2013), and for a PART Age Pension (effective from 1 July 2012 until updated again on 20 September 2012) is set out in the table below.
| Age Pension INCOME test thresholds | ||||
| Situation | Full age Pension (effective from 1 July 2012 until 30 June 2013) | Part Age Pension (effective from 1 July 2012 until 19 September 2012) | ||
| Per fortnight | Annual income (approx) | Per fortnight | Annual income (approx) | |
| Single | $152 | $3,952 | $1,663.00 | $43,238 |
| Couple (combined) | $268 | $6,968 | $2,546.00 | $66,196 |
| Couple (separated due to illness) (combined) | $268 | $6,968 | $3,290.00 | $85,540 |
Source: FAHCSIA http://jennymacklin.fahcsia.gov.au/sites/default/files/1july2012_indexationrates.pdf . The income test thresholds for full Age Pension is adjusted annually on 1 July, and for the part Age Pension adjusted on 1 July, and also on 20 March and 20 September. The annualised threshold income figures are calculated by Trish Power.
The Age Pension income test for Transitional Rate FULL Age Pension eligibility (effective from 1 July 2012, until updated again on 1 July 2013) and Transitional Rate part Age Pension eligibility (effective from 1 July 2012 until 20 September 2012) is set out in the table below. According to Centrelink, the notional maximum pension entitlement for transitional rate pensioners, effective from March 2012, is $671.20 per fortnight for a single pensioner and $1,084.00 per fortnight combined for pensioner couples.
| Age Pension income test thresholds–Transitional Rate | ||||
| Situation | Full age Pension (effective from 1 July 2012 until 30 June 2013) | Part Age Pension (effective from 1 July 2012 until 19 September 2012) | ||
| Per fortnight | Annual income (approx) | Per fortnight | Annual income (approx) | |
| Single | $152 | $3,952 | $1,830.00 | $47,580 |
| Couple (combined) | $268 | $6,968 | $2,978.00 | $77,428 |
| Couple (separated due to illness) (combined) | $268 | $6,968 | $3,624.00 | $94,224 |
Source: FAHCSIA http://jennymacklin.fahcsia.gov.au/sites/default/files/1july2012_indexationrates.pdf. The income test thresholds for Transitional Rate full Age Pension is adjusted annually on 1 July, and for Transitional Rate part Age Pension is adjusted on 1 July, and also on 20 March, and 20 September. The annualised threshold income figures are calculated by Trish Power.
Income test thresholds (effective from 20 March 2012 until 30 June 2012)
Note: For income test thresholds applicable before 20 March 2012, see later in the article.
The Age Pension income test threshold for the full Age Pension (effective from 1 July 2011 and updated again on 1 July 2012), and for a part Age Pension (effective from 20 March 2012 until updated again on 1 July 2012) is set out in the table below.
| Age Pension income test thresholds | ||||
| Situation | Full age Pension (effective from 1 July 2011 until 30 June 2012) | Part Age Pension (effective from 20 March 2012 until 30 June 2012) | ||
| Per fortnight | Annual income (approx) | Per fortnight | Annual income (approx) | |
| Single | $150 | $3,900 | $1,661.00 | $43,186 |
| Couple (combined) | $264 | $6,864 | $2,542.00 | $66,092 |
| Couple (separated due to illness) (combined) | $264 | $6,864 | $3,286.00 | $85,436 |
Source: Centrelink. The income test thresholds for full Age Pension is adjusted annually on 1 July, and for the part Age Pension adjusted on 1 July, and six monthly on 20 March and 20 September. The annualised threshold income figures are calculated by Trish Power.
The Age Pension income test for Transitional Rate FULL Age Pension eligibility (effective from 1 July 2011, until updated again on 1 July 2012) and Transitional Rate part Age Pension eligibility (effective from 20 March 2012 until 30 June 2012) is set out in the table below. According to Centrelink, the notional maximum pension for transitional rate pensioners, effective from March 2012, is $671.20 per fortnight for a single pensioner and $1,084.00 per fortnight combined for pensioner couples.
| Age Pension income test thresholds–Transitional Rate | ||||
| Situation | Full age Pension (effective from 1 July 2011 until 30 June 2012) | Part Age Pension (effective from 20 March 2012 until 30 June 2012) | ||
| Per fortnight | Annual income (approx) | Per fortnight | Annual income (approx) | |
| Single | $150 | $3,900 | $1,828.00 | $47,528 |
| Couple (combined) | $264 | $6,864 | $2,974.00 | $77,324 |
| Couple (separated due to illness) (combined) | $264 | $6,864 | $3,620.00 | $94,120 |
Source: Centrelink. The income test thresholds for Transitional Rate full Age Pension is adjusted annually on 1 July, and for Transitional Rate part Age Pension is adjusted on 1 July, and six monthly: on 20 March, and 20 September. The annualised threshold income figures are calculated by Trish Power.
Income test thresholds (effective from 20 September 2011 until 19 March 2012)
The Age Pension income test threshold for the full Age Pension (effective from 1 July 2011 and updated again on 1 July 2012), and a part Age Pension (effective from 20 September 2011 until 19 March 2012) is set out in the table below.
| Age Pension income test thresholds | ||||
| Situation | Full age Pension (effective from 1 July 2011) | Part Age Pension (effective from 20 Sept 2011 until 19 March 2012) | ||
| Per fortnight | Annual income (approx) | Per fortnight | Annual income (approx) | |
| Single | $150 | $3,900 | $1,647.60 | $42,838 |
| Couple (combined) | $264 | $6,864 | $2,522.00 | $65,572 |
| Couple (separated due to illness) (combined) | $264 | $6,864 | $3,259.20 | $84,739 |
Source: Centrelink. The income test thresholds for full Age Pension is adjusted annually on 1 July, and for the part Age Pension adjusted on 1 July, and six monthly on 20 March and 20 September. The annualised threshold income figures are calculated by Trish Power.
The Age Pension income test for Transitional Rate FULL Age Pension (effective from 1 July 2011 and updated again on 1 July 2012) and Transitional Rate part Age Pension eligibility (effective from 20 September 2011 and until 19 March 2012) is set out in the table below. According to Centrelink, the notional maximum pension for transitional rate pensioners from 20 September 2011 (and until adjusted again on 20 March 2011) is $667.20 per fortnight for a single pensioner and $1,077.60 per fortnight combined for pensioner couples.
| Age Pension income test thresholds–Transitional Rate (effective from 20 September 2011) | ||||
| Situation | Full age Pension (effective from 1 July 2011) | Part Age Pension (effective from 20 Sept 2011 until 19 March 2012) | ||
| Per fortnight | Annual income (approx) | Per fortnight | Annual income (approx) | |
| Single | $150 | $3,900 | $1,818.00 | $47,268 |
| Couple (combined) | $264 | $6,864 | $2,958.00 | $76,908 |
| Couple (separated due to illness) (combined) | $264 | $6,864 | $3,600.00 | $93,600 |
Source: Centrelink. The income test thresholds for Transitional Rate full Age Pension is adjusted annually on 1 July, and for Transitional Rate part Age Pension is adjusted on 1 July, and six monthly: on 20 March, and 20 September. The annualised threshold income figures are calculated by Trish Power.
Income test thresholds effective from 1 July 2011 until 19 September 2011
The Age Pension income test threshold for the full Age Pension (effective from 1 July 2011 and updated again on 1 July 2012) and the part Age Pension (effective from 1 July 2011 until 19 September 2011) is set out in the table below.
| Age Pension income test thresholds (effective from 1 July 2011) | ||||
| Situation | Full age Pension | Part Age Pension (effective from 1 July 2011 until 19 Sept 2011) | ||
| Per fortnight | Annual income (approx) | Per fortnight | Annual income (approx) | |
| Single | $150 | $3,900 | $1,608.60 | $41,824 |
| Couple (combined) | $264 | $6,864 | $2,462.80 | $64,033 |
| Couple (separated due to illness) (combined) | $264 | $6,864 | $3,181.20 | $82,711 |
Source: Centrelink. The income test thresholds for full Age Pension is adjusted annually on 1 July, and for the part Age Pension adjusted on 1 July, and six monthly on 20 March and 20 September. The annualised threshold income figures are calculated by Trish Power.
The Age Pension income test for Transitional Rate FULL Age Pension eligibility (effective from 1 July 2011 and updated again on 1 July 2012) and Transitional Rate part Age Pension eligibility (effective from 1 July 2011 until 19 September 2011) is set out in the table below. According to Centrelink, the notional maximum pension for transitional rate pensioners, effective from March 2011, is $650.90 per fortnight for a single pensioner and $1,051.40 per fortnight combined for pensioner couples.
| Age Pension income test thresholds–Transitional Rate (effective from 1 July 2011) | ||||
| Situation | Full age Pension | Part Age Pension (effective from 1 July 2011 until 19 Sept 2011) | ||
| Per fortnight | Annual income (approx) | Per fortnight | Annual income (approx) | |
| Single | $150 | $3,900 | $1,777.25 | $46,209 |
| Couple (combined) | $264 | $6,864 | $2,892.50 | $75,205 |
| Couple (separated due to illness) (combined) | $264 | $6,864 | $3,518.50 | $91,481 |
Source: Centrelink. The income test thresholds for Transitional Rate full Age Pension is adjusted annually on 1 July, and for Transitional Rate part Age Pension is adjusted on 1 July, and six monthly: on 20 March, and 20 September. The annualised threshold income figures are calculated by Trish Power.
Thanks Trish
Surprisingly very little media on the threshold increases taking place today.
I knew that you would however have this info somehow.