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October 2025 Retiree newsletter

Pension fund performance: Monthly returns to September 2025
Pension funds continued their fine form in September, giving retirees plenty to smile about. Read more.
Pension fund performance: Monthly returns to September 2025
Pension funds continued their fine form in September, giving retirees plenty to smile about. Read more.
How can I top up my super pension?
Contributions can’t be added directly, so how do you get additional savings across into a pension? Find out your options and what to consider. Read more.
How can I top up my super pension?
Contributions can’t be added directly, so how do you get additional savings across into a pension? Find out your options and what to consider. Read more.
Tax returns in retirement: Do I need to lodge one?
If you receive assessable income in retirement, you need to lodge a tax return. Even if you don’t, you may need to lodge a non-lodgment form. Confused? Read on. Read more.
Tax returns in retirement: Do I need to lodge one?
If you receive assessable income in retirement, you need to lodge a tax return. Even if you don’t, you may need to lodge a non-lodgment form. Confused? Read on. Read more.
Understanding My Aged Care: What it does and how to use it
If you or a loved one needs Government-subsidised aged care support, at home or in a purpose-built facility, your first port of call is My Aged Care. Read more.
Understanding My Aged Care: What it does and how to use it
If you or a loved one needs Government-subsidised aged care support, at home or in a purpose-built facility, your first port of call is My Aged Care. Read more.
Need care at home? We look at where to find it and what it costs
Aged care reforms are changing the ways in-home care is provided to older Australians, and how much they will pay for services. Read more.
Need care at home? We look at where to find it and what it costs
Aged care reforms are changing the ways in-home care is provided to older Australians, and how much they will pay for services. Read more.
The cost of residential aged care
In the name of fairness and sustainability, the way you pay for residential aged care, and the amount, has changed. Read more.
The cost of residential aged care
In the name of fairness and sustainability, the way you pay for residential aged care, and the amount, has changed. Read more.

The Epic Retirement Tick: Why it matters and which funds earned it

Thursday 20 November 2025 at 11:00 am AEDT

Only six super funds have earned the Epic Retirement Tick – a new benchmark recognising funds that deliver strong support for members before, during and throughout retirement.

Join Ian Fryer from Chant West as we unpack what the Tick measures, why it matters, and which funds truly deliver on their promise to support you for life after work.

Q: I’m 82 years of age, retired since 2004, and my wife is 80 years of age. What assets are exempt in the assets test for a part pension from Centrelink? What is the level of income and how is it calculated under the income test with Centrelink. Is an annual income of $77,000 derived from a QSuper income account and a term allocated pension eligible for a part pension? Are annuities and term allocated pensions partly exempted under the asset test?

A: If your term allocated pension was started prior to 20 September 2007, 50% of its balance is exempt from the assets test.

In the income test, the actual income you receive from the product minus an annual deductible amount is assessed.

Your product provider will be able to provide you with a ‘Centrelink schedule’ that shows what to declare to Centrelink.

The assessment of your QSuper income depends whether it is a defined benefit pension, an account-based pension, or a lifetime pension.

Defined benefit pensions have no asset value and the actual income (less up to 10% tax-free component) is assessed as income.

Account-based pensions have their balance counted as an asset and deemed income counted in the income test. Note that account-based pensions opened prior to 1 January 2015 instead have income assessed under deductible amount rules if the account holder has been continuously receiving Centrelink income support since that date.

Lifetime pensions purchased since 1 July 2019 that comply with the capital access schedule have 60% of their purchase price counted in the assets test until you turn 84, or for a minimum of 5 years after purchase, after which 30% of the purchase price is counted as an asset. In the income test, 60% of the income received is counted.

Older lifetime pensions are assessed differently and the relevant detail can be obtained from your provider.

Your home is exempt from the assets test.

Often, the best way to determine whether you are eligible for Age Pension is to go ahead and apply with Centrelink. They will then assess all your income and assets and calculate the rate of pension you are eligible for (if any). The providers of your income streams can tell you the information that Centrelink will need for the assessment of those products.

Our article on retirement income options also contains more detail about Centrelink means test assessment of the income stream products available in today’s market.

Getting your super into the right hands fast if you pass away is critical, particularly if your partner needs regular income from your account to keep up with living costs. Don’t leave it to chance, check your account and make the right beneficiary nomination for you.

Important: All information on SuperGuide is general in nature only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether any information on SuperGuide is appropriate to you before acting on it. If SuperGuide refers to a financial product you should obtain the relevant product disclosure statement (PDS) or seek personal financial advice before making any investment decisions.

Superguide Pty Ltd ATF Superguide Unit Trust as a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR) is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Independent Financial Advisers Australia, AFSL 464629.