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Age Pension rates (from 20 September 2026)
Age Pension rates are rising again, but how much you actually get depends on your assets and income. Check the latest rates and figures.
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Age Pension calculator (September 2026 update)
Our Age Pension calculator gives you an estimate of your potential Age Pension entitlements based on your situation, assets and income.
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Age Pension assets test rules (from September 2026)
Age Pension assets test limits change three times a year, but your family home is never counted. Check the latest limits and what else is included.
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Age Pension income test rules (from September 2026)
A common question for those nearing or in retirement is “How much can a pensioner earn before it affects the pension?”.
UPDATED BEST PERFORMING PENSION FUNDS
See the top pension funds by investment category over 1 year and 10 years. Now updated to 30 June 2026.
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Case study: Boosting retirement income with downsizer contributions
Lee and Mandy are retired and want to see whether downsizing could increase their retirement income.
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Pension fund performance: Monthly returns to August 2026
Pension funds posted a solid return in August, with the median Growth fund up 0.9%.
Upcoming webinar
SuperGuide members Q&A: September 2026
Thursday 17 September 2026 at 11:00 am AEST
In this webinar super expert Garth McNally answers recent questions from SuperGuide members.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Watch our previous webinar, Downsizer contributions
Q&A of the month
Q: I am 73 years of age and have nominated my adult son (50 years of age) to receive my super death benefit as a lump sum. My son is a non-dependant from a tax perspective, and is nominated to receive the death benefit directly rather than through my estate.
I have read your guide to what tax is payable on super death benefits, and my understanding is that the taxable component of the death benefit received by my son will be taxed at 15% plus the 2% Medicare levy. Because he is a high income earner, he will also be liable for the 1.5% Medicare levy surcharge and Division 293 tax.
Above all, I am looking for absolute confirmation of the rule that 15% is indeed the maximum tax that will be imposed.
A: Yes, the maximum tax rate on the taxable component of a death benefit from a taxed super fund is 15%. When the benefit is paid directly from a super fund to an individual, the taxable amount is added to the recipient’s assessable income and a tax offset is applied to reduce the tax to this level.
If a death benefit includes an untaxed element, which applies to untaxed public sector funds only, the maximum rate is 30%.
However, as you have mentioned, adding the amount to an individual’s assessable income can increase other levies and taxes, including the Medicare levy, the Medicare levy surcharge and Division 293 tax.
This can be avoided where benefits are directed to the deceased estate and paid to recipients from there. The difference arises because the estate declares the income in its own tax return rather than the individual. Estates are not natural persons, so the Medicare levy does not apply.
Tip of the month
If investment market jitters are setting you on edge, a bucket strategy for your retirement savings could offer some peace of mind.
