Age pensioners lose overseas payment boost after 12 weeks
From September 20, overseas pensioners keep full supplements for more than 12 weeks, then lose them.
Australian seniors heading overseas after September 20 face a sharp cut to their income. Pension payments were previously topped up with energy and general supplements indefinitely.
Now those payments continue for more than 12 weeks after departure, then stop. For a single pensioner, that is a loss of the energy supplement of $14.10 and the general pension supplement of $88.20 a fortnight.
Those who left before September 20 lose supplements immediately. A basic minimum supplement remains, but only if income and assets stay below new lower thresholds.
Anyone living overseas for more than six months needs special conditions. They must have 35 years of Australian residency since age 16 to get the full payment.
Immigration data goes directly to Centrelink. Your overseas income and assets are tracked to check if you qualify.
- $102 per fortnight
- Fortnightly income loss
- 12 weeks
- Supplement period
- 35 years since age 16
- Required residency years
- $88.20 per fortnight
- General supplement amount
Why it mattersRetirees planning extended overseas trips or retirement abroad must budget for lower income. You may face Centrelink penalties if you don't report your foreign income.
AustraliaAffects Australian pensioners who travel or live overseas, forcing them to plan around reduced payments and stricter asset tests.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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