Super and the Age Pension

Most Australians are eligible for the Government Age Pension. If you’re among them, you can use it to top up your super.

What is the Age Pension?

The Government Age Pension is a regular fortnightly income from the Australian Government that helps eligible older Australians pay for basic living expenses.

It’s called the “retirement safety net” for a reason. Around 58%¹ of Australians over the age of 65 receive either a part or full Government Age Pension.

¹Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 31 March 2023.

Am I eligible to receive it?

Reaching preservation age and finishing up at work don’t mean you automatically get the Age Pension.

You’ll need to meet eligibility requirements set out by the Australian Government before you can receive your first pension payment. These include:

your qualifying or eligibility age for the Age Pension (also known as the ‘pension age’)
your residential status
your assets and/or income.

For eligibility details download the fact sheet ‘Are you eligible for the Government Age Pension?'

Are you eligible for the Government Age Pension - pdf, 116KB

Download

Eligible to get the Age Pension?

Your age and residential status

Have you reached the qualifying age? Are you an Australian Resident?

Your assets

The assets you own will affect whether you get the Age Pension, and how much.

Your income

The income you earn will affect whether you get the Age Pension, and how much.

find out more

What’s your super when you retire?

Use the super projection calculator to find out how much super you could have when you retire, how long it could last and how you could make a big difference now.

calculate now