Australian Age Pension for New Zealanders (2026 Guide) by JJ Smith 28 March 2026 written by JJ Smith 28 March 2026 5.3K Can New Zealanders get the Australian Age Pension? Yes — New Zealanders living in Australia may be eligible for the Australian Age Pension, but the rules are slightly different from the NZ pension and those for Australian citizens. Eligibility depends on: your age how long you have lived in Australia and/or New Zealand your income your assets Australia and New Zealand have a social security agreement, which allows periods of residence in both countries to be counted when assessing eligibility. Because of this agreement, many New Zealanders who move to Australia later in life can qualify for an Australian pension, even if they haven’t lived in Australia for their entire working life. However, there are a few important rules and deadlines, especially if you are already receiving NZ Superannuation when you move. Quick Summary: Australian Age Pension for New Zealanders If you’re planning to move to Australia or have recently arrived, here are the key things to know. The Age Pension age is currently 67 You generally need 10 years of working-age residence (age 20–67) in Australia and/or NZ The pension is income and asset-tested If you already receive NZ Super, it usually continues for up to 26 weeks after leaving NZ During that time you should apply for the Australian Age Pension Editor Note: I highly recommend using an Age Pension calculator to get an estimate of how much pension you might receive, as this can affect when you should apply: If you’re eligible for the full Australian Age Pension: apply as soon as you arrive in Australia, as it is higher than the NZ Super. The maximum fortnightly rate for a single person in Australia is up to A$1,200.90 (after tax), while the gross weekly rate for a single person in New Zealand is approximately NZ$1,043.24. If you only qualify for a partial Australian Age Pension, it can sometimes make sense to delay applying until closer to the end of the 26-week period when NZ Super stops. This helps avoid overlapping payments that could later need to be repaid. NZ Super rates change each year in April, where the Australia Age Pension updates twice a year (20 March and 20 September). In this post, you will find helpful information on: What to do before leaving New Zealand What to do after arriving in Australia What you need to do within 26 weeks of leaving New Zealand At what age can you receive the Australian Age Pension? Residency requirements for New Zealanders How to apply for the Australian Age Pension Australian Age Pension Payment Rates Age Pension income test Age Pension asset test How homeownership affects the pension Age Pension calculator Working after pension age Disability Support Pension for New Zealanders Can you receive NZ Super and the Australian Age Pension? How NZ Super and Australian Age Pension Compare Common Mistakes New Zealanders Make with Pensions Real-Life Example Scenarios for Kiwis Moving to Australia Transferring your KiwiSaver to Australia Keeping Centrelink up to date Where to get help and advice What to do before leaving New Zealand If you are receiving NZ Superannuation, Veteran’s Pension, or another long-term payment, there are a few things you should do before moving. 1. Notify Work and Income Advise Work and Income that you plan to move to Australia. 2. Gather important documents Before leaving New Zealand, make sure you have copies of: Passport Birth certificate Marriage certificate (if applicable) Bank account details Tax file information Medical reports (if receiving Supported Living Payment) Having these ready will make the Australian application process much easier. 3. Check any overseas pension arrangements If you receive an overseas pension through New Zealand’s Special Banking Option, you may need to arrange for the overseas agency to pay you directly instead. For assistance, contact Senior Services International. What to do after arriving in Australia Once you arrive in Australia, you should begin preparing your Age Pension application through Centrelink. Depending on your situation, you may also need to apply for: Disability Support Pension Carer Payment These payments are available to New Zealand citizens living in Australia, including those on a Special Category Visa (SCV). Most New Zealanders automatically receive an SCV visa when entering Australia, which allows them to live and work there. What you need to do within 26 weeks of leaving New Zealand If you already receive New Zealand Superannuation or the Veteran’s Pension, there is an important rule to understand. You can usually continue receiving your New Zealand payments for up to 26 weeks after leaving New Zealand. This period gives you time to apply for the Australian Age Pension. When should you apply? The timing of your application can affect your payments. If you qualify for the full Australian Age Pension It often makes sense to apply soon after arriving in Australia, because the maximum Australian Age Pension is generally higher than NZ Superannuation. If you may qualify for a reduced Age Pension Some people choose to apply closer to the end of the 26-week period if they are still receiving NZ Superannuation. This can help avoid overlapping payments that might later need to be repaid. Because every situation is different, it is a good idea to contact Centrelink International Services before applying. What happens if you don’t apply within 26 weeks? If you do not apply for the Australian Age Pension within 26 weeks of leaving New Zealand, your New Zealand pension payments will normally stop. This is why it is important to start the application process early. At what age can you receive the Australian Age Pension? The Age Pension age in Australia is currently 67. However, the age depends on your date of birth. Date of birth Age Pension age 1 July 1952 – 31 Dec 1953 65 years 6 months 1 Jan 1954 – 30 June 1955 66 years 1 July 1955 – 31 Dec 1956 66 years 6 months 1 Jan 1957 onwards 67 years Residency requirements for New Zealanders To qualify for the Age Pension under the Australia–New Zealand Social Security Agreement, you must have: At least 10 years of working-age residence Working-age residence means time lived in Australia or New Zealand between age 20 and Age Pension age. These periods can be combined across both countries. How to apply for the Australian Age Pension The easiest way to apply is online through Centrelink. Step 1 — Set up your accounts You will need: a myGov account your Centrelink account linked to myGov You can set this up at: my.gov.au Step 2 — Prepare your documents You will need supporting documents that show: identity bank account details tax file number (TFN) relationship status income assets You can read more about the documents needed on the Services Australia supporting documents page, which provides examples of each. Step 3 — Submit your claim Online application steps: Sign in to myGov Select Make a claim Choose Older Australians Select Age Pension Follow the prompts You must submit the claim within 13 weeks of starting it. If you cannot apply online You can also: print the Age Pension claim form request help from Centrelink International Services Australian Age Pension Information Booklet Here is the Information you need to know about your claim for Age Pension and Pension Bonus (Ci006) (Information Booklet), so you can read through the questions and get a better understanding of what’s required. You can view, print and complete the Claim for Age Pension and Pension Bonus form here and the Income and Assets form. If you would like to speak with someone about applying, please call Canterlink International on 0800441248. Australian Age Pension Payment Rates The amount you receive depends on: your income your assets your relationship status All income and assets are taken into account, whether they are Australian-based or still in New Zealand. Rates are updated twice each year: 20 March 20 September Australia Age Pension rates (from 20 March 2026): Per fortnight Single Couple each Couple combined Couple apart due to ill health Maximum basic rate $1,100.30 $829.40 $1,658.80 $1,100.30 Maximum Pension Supplement $86.50 $65.20 $130.40 $86.50 Energy Supplement $14.10 $10.60 $21.20 $14.10 Total $1,200.90 $905.20 $1,810.40 $1,200.90 * Rates as per 20 March 2026. Check here for updated rates. There has been an increase of $22.20 per fortnight for singles and $16.70 per person for couples from 20 September 2025. Age Pension income test The Age Pension is income tested. If your income exceeds certain thresholds, your payment will be reduced. Income-free area Single: first $218 per fortnight is not counted Couples: first $380 combined per fortnight is not counted Above these limits, the pension reduces gradually. Age Pension asset test The Age Pension is also asset tested. Assets include: savings investments vehicles investment property superannuation income streams shares Asset limits for a full pension (example) Situation Homeowner Non-homeowner Single $321,500 $579,500 Couple $481,500 $739,500 Your main home is not counted as an asset. How homeownership affects the pension Your principal residence is exempt from the asset test. However, homeowners have lower asset limits than non-homeowners. Situations that may affect your pension include: selling your home downsizing granny-flat arrangements moving out of the home. Age Pension calculator The Age Pension Calculator on the SuperGuide website is simple and easy to use. Just enter your details in the yellow fields, and you’ll receive an estimate of the Age Pension you may be eligible for. Reminder: do not include the value of your home in your assets. If you haven’t yet sold your NZ home and purchased one in Australia, it will be difficult to get a completely accurate estimate, but still leave out your home to keep the calculation as accurate as possible. You’ll be asked to answer the following questions: Are you single or part of a couple? Do you own your own home? Value of your non-financial assets Value of your financial investments Your employment income (annually) Other income (annually) Try the Age Pension Calculator here: SuperGuide Age Pension calculator. Working after pension age You can still work while receiving the Age Pension. Australia offers a Work Bonus that allows pensioners to earn some income without reducing their pension. Work Bonus rules first $300 per fortnight from employment is not counted unused amounts accumulate in a Work Bonus income bank Maximum Work Bonus balance: $11,800 The amount accumulated in the income bank can be used to offset future income from work that would otherwise be assessable under the pension income test. The income bank amount is not time-limited; if unused, it carries forward, even across years. For more information, visit Work Bonus on the Australian Government Department of Social Services website. Disability Support Pension for New Zealanders Under the Australia–New Zealand Social Security Agreement, New Zealanders living in Australia may be able to apply for the Australian Disability Support Pension (DSP) if they have a severe disability and meet certain residency rules. To qualify for the Disability Support Pension under the agreement, you must meet three key requirements. 1. You must be considered “severely disabled” To qualify under the agreement, you must meet Australia’s definition of severe disability, which generally means: you have a physical, intellectual, or psychiatric condition that prevents you from working, and the condition is expected to last at least two years, and you are unable to benefit from employment support or rehabilitation programs, or you are permanently blind. Medical evidence from your doctor or specialist will be required when applying. 2. The disability must have occurred while living in Australia or New Zealand To qualify under the social security agreement, the severe disability must have occurred while you were a resident of either Australia or New Zealand. If the disability occurred while you were living in another country, you may not qualify under the agreement. 3. You must meet the residency requirements You must have: lived in Australia and/or New Zealand for at least 10 years, and usually lived in Australia for at least 12 months before applying. Periods of residence in both countries can be combined to help meet the 10-year requirement. Important note The Disability Support Pension is income and asset tested, similar to the Age Pension. This means your income, savings, investments, and other assets may affect how much you can receive. Where to get help If you think you may qualify for the Disability Support Pension, you can contact: Centrelink International Services New Zealand Phone: 0800 441 248 Australian Phone: 131 673 They can explain the eligibility rules and help you start the application process. Can you receive NZ Super and the Australian Age Pension? Once your applications are processed, you may receive payments from both New Zealand and Australia, e.g., your payment may consist of a NZ Superannuation payment and an Australian Age Pension payment. However, the total amount you receive is generally limited to what an Australian resident would receive. Because of this, the final payment may include: a component from New Zealand a component from Australia How NZ Super and Australian Age Pension Compare Many Kiwis wonder how their NZ Superannuation compares with the Australian Age Pension. Here’s a quick comparison to make it easier to plan your move. Status NZ Super Australian Age Pension Difference Single NZ$1,043.24/week A$1,200.90/fortnight +A$146.56/week* Couple (each) NZ$803/week A$905.20/fortnight +A$93.85/week* * As at 20 March 2026. ** Based on current exchange rates and the maximum Australian Age Pension. Exact amounts will vary depending on income, assets, and living arrangements. Key points to note: The Australian Age Pension is generally higher than NZ Super for most Kiwis. Payments include additional supplements like Energy Supplement and Pension Supplement. Exchange rates can affect your NZ$ equivalent, so it’s good to check your fortnightly payments after conversion. If eligible for the full Australian Age Pension, it usually makes sense to apply soon after arrival in Australia. This section helps you understand how much more (or less) you could receive in Australia compared to staying in New Zealand. Common Mistakes New Zealanders Make with Pensions Moving to Australia and applying for the Age Pension can be confusing, and many Kiwis make simple mistakes that could cost them time or money. Here are the top ones to avoid: Mistake Why it matters Waiting too long to apply for the Australian Age Pension NZ Super payments stop after 26 weeks if you don’t apply Assuming NZ Super continues automatically You must submit an application to continue receiving payments in Australia Not reporting income or assets to Centrelink Could result in overpayment and needing to repay later Overlooking your partner’s eligibility Could reduce or increase your combined pension Not using the Work Bonus If you’re still working part-time, you could be missing out on extra pension payments Pro tip: Keep a checklist and gather all your documents early. It will save you a lot of stress and ensures you get the full pension you’re entitled to. Real-Life Example Scenarios for Kiwis Moving to Australia Sometimes it helps to see how the rules apply in real life. Here are a few examples based on common situations: Example 1: Single retiree moving at 67 NZ Super: NZ$1,043/week Australian Age Pension: A$1,200.90/fortnight Outcome: Receives a combination of NZ Super and Australian Age Pension for the first 26 weeks, then full Australian pension. Result: slightly higher income than staying in NZ. Example 2: Couple with significant assets Total assets exceed the maximum for a full pension They may only receive a partial Age Pension Outcome: Selling or downsizing a home, or restructuring assets, can increase the pension entitlement. Example 3: Working retiree over pension age Works part-time while receiving the Age Pension Outcome: The Work Bonus allows the first $300 per fortnight of employment income to be excluded from the income test. Any unused amount accumulates in a Work Bonus “bank” (up to $11,800), which can be used to offset future income assessments. These examples make it easier to see how your own situation might work and why it’s worth getting advice early. Transferring your KiwiSaver to Australia If you move permanently to Australia, you may wish to transfer your KiwiSaver to an Australian superannuation fund. This is optional. Steps include: Choose an Australian super fund Join the fund Complete the KiwiSaver transfer form Arrange the transfer through your provider For more information, read my Australian Super or KiwiSaver for your Home Deposit posts. Keeping Centrelink up to date Once you receive a pension, you must inform Centrelink if: your income changes your assets change you travel overseas you receive an inheritance or a large financial gift Keeping your details up to date helps avoid overpayments or repayment obligations. Where to get help and advice Several organisations offer free help with retirement planning. Helpful resources include: Financial Information Service (FIS) MoneySmart National Debt Helpline For aged care information in Australia, visit: My Aged Care. Still have questions about the Australian Age Pension? If you want more detailed information about: applying for pensions what happens if your partner is under pension age Disability Support Pension eligibility receiving NZ benefits in Australia Visit: Work and Income – Social Security Agreement with Australia. You might be interested in… The posts below might interest you: Moving money to Australia (keep more of your money) Buying a house in Australia Medicare Australia Still, got unanswered questions? If you’ve read the above content and the answer to your question isn’t there, please write a comment below and I’ll research the answer for you. Can I help you find something else? If you need advice on moving to Australia from New Zealand, I’ve created a helpful little questionnaire to point you in the right direction. It takes less than 30 seconds, so give it a go! Moving money to Australia from New Zealand 144 comments FacebookPinterest JJ Smith previous post Schools in Australia next post Costs of medication and operations in Australia You may also like The Land of OZ, Consumer Mag 3 March 2026 Documentation needed when moving to Australia 11 April 2025 A better life across the ditch (updated 2025) 3 March 2026 Open an Australian Bank Account 3 March 2026 Foreign Exchange/Money Transfer 6 November 2024 $19,000 exchange fee shocks family 14 January 2025 Australian Tax 15 October 2025 Getting Your Tax File Number (TFN) 15 October 2025 Working With Children Check in Australia (WWCC) 11 February 2026 Renting and accommodation in Australia 8 August 2025 144 comments Domini Langru 24 February 2024 - 11:26 pm I have moved to Australia to be near family. Still trying to sell property in NZ no income from it. Getting NZ pension till June. Is this property classed as an asset? Will I get Australian old age pension is it worth applying? Reply JJ Smith 27 February 2024 - 11:08 am Hi Domini, Yes your NZ home is considered an asset. Have you completed the Australia age pension calculator to see how your NZ home price will affect your pension? Here is the link, it is straight forward and easy to use: https://www.superguide.com.au/in-retirement/age-pension-calculator. I think you should apply asap as there is a massive backlog. When you sell your property, you then advise them of your change in circumstances: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/change-circumstances-when-you-get-age-pension?context=22526. Hope the above helps. Reply Ben 5 February 2024 - 6:26 pm Hi Thanks for all the information you provide. We have a 70 year old retired friend who relocated to the Gold Coast and she said she has had major issues in contacting Ausie Centrelink. She received her NZ pension for 6 months and applied well in advance for her Oz pension. She has now received no Oz pension for close to 12 months! She tried in vain to contact Centrelink with no avail. She also has not received her pensioners card so cannot use it for beneficial pensioner benefits. We also see more and more comments from Ozzies on on-line sites that NZ Citizen Pensioners cannot get the pension in Oz? Do you have any idea who she can contact, maybe an MP or ombudsman? We as retirees were looking at moving over to Oz but are slightly concerned after her experience. Work and Income NZ is amazing to deal with but there is no way we will be able to talk to an Australian Centrelink person to give us confirmation for our situation. We are considering approaching an Ozzie immigration lawyer to look at our situation for confirmation if we will qualify for full pension if we do move to Oz. I am aware of all the issues about age, asset testing etc. How do I contact an immigration lawyer in QL? Thanks in advance. Reply JJ Smith 7 February 2024 - 1:22 pm Hi Ben, Thanks for your comment. I have had a visitor inform me they had been waiting 6 months too. This puts a lot of stress on pensioners moving to Australia and I wish it wasn’t the case. I’ve found an article about the Centrelink backlog causing massive Age Pension delays, so it’s not only a problem for New Zealanders who have moved, it’s a problem for Australian retirees also: https://www.yourlifechoices.com.au/centrelink/age-pension/centrelink-backlog-causing-massive-age-pension-delays/. Regarding your friend, she should go into a Centrelink service centre and get an answer, especially if she is facing financial hardship as she may be able to get her claim prioritised. They have multiple locations in the Gold Coast: https://findus.servicesaustralia.gov.au/?groupid=2368&OriginSuburbPostcode=COOLANGATTA+QLD+4225&submittopage=locatorresult.asp. Regarding you and your wife, you are definitely eligible for the Australia pension and I recommend you plan for this delay, because who knows when the Australian government would have worked through the backlog. If you want confirmation of eligibility you can read more on the Services Australia website (https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/new-zealand-citizens-claiming-payments-australia?context=22526). I’m not sure if an immigration lawyer can help, but an Australian financial adviser would be able to to. You can find organisations and professional who can help on MyAgedCare website: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/financial-support-and-advice. Hope the above helps. Reply Geoff 12 April 2024 - 6:32 pm Hi. A contact phone number for Centrelik International is 131 673. They are based in Tasmania and can sort issues out promptly. We had troubles getting things sorted when we moved over. They were fantastic to deal with. Cheers Geoff Reply Dean 16 January 2024 - 11:06 am Hi myself wife and three kids aged 16,18,20 are wanting to move to oz later this year. We are wanting my parents to come with us too. We all have nz citizenship. They moved to nz 11 years ago they are aged 76 years both now. My mum is Irish and gets a small pension from Ireland .They get an uk pension {but never had an increase in 11 years only the amount they were entitled on the day they left Uk }. They get a small nz pension to top up. Can you tell me please the process of transferring pension – are they allowed too? can they get an Oz pension as they have never worked in NZ ? they own their home here not much savings ? is there anyway to find out more info on the means pension in oz what they would likely get so they know they will be alright after selling here and buying a home in oz – we also want sell our house here and buy a home in Oz? Reply JJ Smith 15 February 2024 - 10:26 am Hi Dean, Thank you for your comment and sorry for the delay in replying. Unfortunately I am not a financial adviser and can only give advice from the information I have been able to find online. From my research, your parents would not be eligible for the Australian age pension as they have not been a New Zealand resident for at least 10 years of their working life (between the ages of 20 and 66 and 6 months), they were only an NZ resident for 1 year of their working life (65 to 76). I recommend you contact a financial adviser in Australia and ask them the same question, as they will be able to correctly advise your parents of all their options. You can find one of the Australian website My Aged Care: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/financial-support-and-advice. You are able to use the Age Pension calculator on the SuperGuide website to work out how much Australian pension they would receive if they were eligible, but first I would recommend figuring out if they are: https://www.superguide.com.au/in-retirement/age-pension-calculator. As you are wanting to sell your home in NZ and purchase a home in Australia, I recommend you read my Buying a house in Australia post: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/buying-a-house-in-australia/. Sorry I couldn’t give you more hopeful advise. Reply Bernee Andrahennadige 8 December 2023 - 10:57 pm Hi, my mother and I planning to move to Australia, However I have few concerns mainly her Heath. She is a long sufferer of diabetes type 2, from New Zealand she gets podiatry help and checking her eyes and all things checks to do with side effects from diabetes. Could you please let me know if you can, will she be covered for her medical care like she is in New Zealand? Reply JJ Smith 11 December 2023 - 4:16 pm Hi Bernee, Thanks for your comment. Medicare helps all Australians with the costs of their health care. As a New Zealander living in Australia on an SCV, this includes us. You can access Medicare to help pay for services to manage chronic health conditions, such as diabetes. Once your Mum’s Medicare application is approved she will receive an Australian Medicare reciprocal health care card. She will then have access to Medicare and the diabetes products and services offered by the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS). Here is a good post by Diabetes Victoria, on what Medicare Australia covers: https://www.diabetesvic.org.au/Medicare-and-diabetes. And another on diabetes and coming to Australia: https://www.diabetesvic.org.au/Diabetes-and-coming-to-Australia. Hope the above helps. Reply Ash 7 December 2023 - 10:32 am Hi thanks for posting this, you won’t believe how helpful it has been for me to best prepare for my mum’s arrival here in Australia. My mum’s currently 82 years old and she’s currently on NZ pension. We migrated to NZ in 2002 and mum has stayed back in NZ while I’ve moved to Australia..I’m now wanting to bring mum to join me in Australia. Mum’s never been employed so I’m wondering if she will she still be eligible for the Australia pension? Reply JJ Smith 7 December 2023 - 1:39 pm Hi Ash, That’s lovely to hear that your Mum will be joining you in Australia. Family is so important. It doesn’t matter that she hasn’t worked. She will still be eligible under the Australia’s international social security agreement with New Zealand. Please note, I have been advised recently of a delay in receiving the Australia pension, so make sure you apply asap when she arrives. She will still receive her NZ pension for 26 weeks and hopefully her application would have been processed by then. Hope the above helps. Reply Vicki 5 December 2023 - 9:26 am Hi there, thanks for all of this great info, but i , we are still confused over the shifting to Oz with my husband on the pension, at 65, will this continue or will he have to wait till hes 66 an 6, and i am not 65 for another year, so does that mean i will have to wait till 66 6 years, and understanding the means testing, we would have money for a house, and some cash but no income so how is this means tested, after we purchase a house, ? we have tried to find this info online but it seems a grey area, and not clear to us hope you can shed some light on this, or direct us where to find this information. many thanks Vicki Reply JJ Smith 5 December 2023 - 11:26 am Hi Vicki, I also have found it a very hard subject to get my head around. Everything I have been able to find out is in the above post (Australian Age Pension). You are correct, the Australia pension does not start until you are 66.5 years. You will receive the NZ pension for 26 weeks after you have left New Zealand, then you will have to wait until you are 66.5 years to receive any further income from any government. Regarding the means and assets testing, here is the link to the Age Pension calculator on the SuperGuide website, which is straightforward and easy to use: https://www.superguide.com.au/in-retirement/age-pension-calculator. You would enter in the approximate value of your assets (non-financial and financial) after you have purchased a house in Australia and if you are not planning on working, then $0 for your deemed income. On the right of the calculator there is a help section, which defines non-financial assets or financial investments, income, etc. This will help you understand what is included and what is not. Please note, I am not a financial adviser and can only recommend from information I have found online. I recommend you contact a financial adviser in Australia for further advise on your individual circumstances. I hope the above helped. Reply SELVAMAHESWARAN 1 December 2023 - 3:10 pm Hi I am 74 years old and a New Zealand citizen for over 35 years , my wife is 65 + and both receive NZ super . Two of our children are in Australia and got Australian citizenship as well. We are planning to move to Australia by mid next year. Though I know I will be entitled for Australian age pension but my wife has to wait till 67 to apply for Australian age pension, however my question is will my wife continue to get New Zealand super (leaving Australian contribution) until 67 ? Reply JJ Smith 5 December 2023 - 11:52 am Hi Selvamaheswaran, Your wife will become eligible for the Australia age pension when she is 66.5 years old. You will both receive the NZ pension for 26 weeks after you leave New Zealand. Then both NZ pensions will stop. You should apply for the Australia age pension as soon as you arrive in Australia, as I have heard there can be a delay, so get in the processing cue asap. Have you completed the age pension calculator so you know how much Australia pension you will receive? I do recommend it since the Australia age pension is income and asset tested: https://www.superguide.com.au/in-retirement/age-pension-calculator. I hope the above answers your question. Reply Keith Prokop 21 August 2023 - 8:29 pm The calculator doesn’t seem to calculate for couples in my situation where I have reached retirement age but my wife hasn’t. I’m sure that income for a non-retiree is calculated differently even though they are still a “couple”. Can you confirm that this observation is correct. TIA. Reply JJ Smith 22 August 2023 - 4:06 pm Hi Keith, Thank you for your comment. On the right side of the calculator, Super Guide has included a help section. Here is what it says under notes for couples: What if only one member of a couple is eligible? Where only one member of a couple has reached Age Pension age, Centrelink will treat the application based on the assets and income of the couple combined, and pay the eligible Age Pensioner half of the couple’s rate. If only one partner is eligible to apply for the Age Pension, all jointly owned assets, financial investments and income and assets should be included, although special rules apply to superannuation. If a member of a couple has not yet reached Age Pension age, then his or her superannuation benefits are not counted for Age Pension eligibility UNLESS he or she has started receiving superannuation pension payments. Learn more about how your super affects the Age Pension (https://www.superguide.com.au/in-retirement/superannuation-affect-age-pension). Reminder: If only one partner has reached Age Pension age, and the couple satisfy the Age Pension assets test and income test, the eligible partner will be paid half of the Couple rate, rather than the Single rate. What if a couple is separated due to illness? This calculator does not currently cater for couples separated due to illness. Please note though that there are higher asset and income thresholds for couples separated by illness. For more information see the following SuperGuide articles: – Age Pension: Asset test thresholds (https://www.superguide.com.au/in-retirement/age-pension-asset-test-thresholds) – Age Pension: Income test thresholds (https://www.superguide.com.au/in-retirement/age-pension-income-test-thresholds) Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have. Reply R N 15 August 2023 - 6:41 pm hi JJ, Thanks for a very informative website. Could we please get your thoughts on our situation. My mum lives in NZ in her own house worth about $1.8m and has savings of about 100K, currently gets aged pension in NZ (is 69). She is thinking of moving to Melbourne to be closer to our family. Currently we are looking at building or buying a house for her close to us. Houses here are worth around $800k. Option 1: We build/buy and she lives rent free. Reading various posts it looks like she can’t stay here and just own the house in NZ if she wants to get pension. Potential capital gains issue if she wants to sell in due course. Not sure about stamp duty consideration if transfer happens due to her passing in due course. Option 2: She sells in NZ and buys close to us but that might mean her surplus funds will make her not qualify for a pension anyway. Option 3: She sells in NZ and buys in a more expensive suburb so more of her funds are used up but then she is up for a bigger stamp duty. Might be about 5 years worth of pension at current rate. With less savings on hand she qualifies for pension. We would very much appreciate an opinion on the pros and cons on our options or if we are missing any other factors. Reply JJ Smith 24 August 2023 - 1:27 pm Hi R N, This is a position a lot of my visitors are in. Unfortunately, I am not a financial adviser and can not give you any further advice apart from the information I have put in my post, which from your comment it looks like you have read and understood. I’ve put the figures into the Age Pension calculator and you are right that if she keeps her NZ home as an investment property then she will not receive the Australia age pension, because she does not pass the asset test. If she buys a home in your area, she will still not qualify for the Australian age pension. If she manages to buy a home for $1.3, her assets will then be down to $600,000 and she will receive $169.25 per fortnight, $4,401 per year. At your Mum’s stage in life, I’d imagine quality of life and family are more important than money. I recommend you look at other ways she can use her investments to get an income and forget about the pension. Here is the link to a post on Moneysmart, an Australian Government organization supporting older Australians, they may be able to help: https://moneysmart.gov.au/living-in-retirement/supporting-older-australians. Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have. Sorry, I could not be of more help. Reply Vickki 23 April 2023 - 7:57 pm Dear JJ Your website helped me tremendously when I moved to Sydney last year to be nearer family. I am a 78 year old New Zealander so it was quite a challenge to leave my life in NZ and come over here. The new rules announced recently will be very helpful, especially for younger working people with families. I just wanted to let you know about my experience with Centrelink. On your advice I applied for the pension as soon as I arrived. This was back in June 2022. I have only just received my first pension payment this month – ten months after applying! They initially took six months to even process my application, which they rejected. This was because they incorrectly included the funds from the sale of my house in Auckland – making my assets well above the threshold for receiving the pension, even though I clearly showed that the funds went directly towards the purchase of my property here. Getting this rejection overturned took months and was a particularly stressful time. It is sorted now thankfully and I am awaiting the NZ “top-up” pension to be finalised. I am still awaiting back pay from the date of my original application. I am letting you know this because it is imperative that older people apply as soon as they arrive and have sufficient funds available if there are hold ups along the way. It was not a pleasant experience and very stressful, thinking I might have to go back to NZ. Your advice was very precise, concise and extremely helpful. Keep up the good work! Regards Vickki Reply Louise 9 February 2023 - 12:34 pm Hi I have a son in Sydney. I would love to be closer to. I am 60y.o. working and contemplating move to Oz and continue to work there. In NZ I would qualify for pension at 65, but would still need to keep working. I have read all I can about pension entitlement in Oz and would I qualify later in life, via arrangement between NZ & Oz. What I have learnt so far, is I would apply when I get to that age, not eligible until I was 67, its asset tested… my question is, because it a bit unclear, Do you have to have lived in Oz for 10 years? If not no pension?? info seems to suggest this but at same time says there is an agreement of sort with NZ. I don’t own home, so limited assets, just don’t want to make the move and find out later in life I not eligible for old aged pension. Hope you may have had similar queries or you know of similar situation. I have read as much as I can on Govt. websites. I understand decisions are based on individuals, if you could shed any light on this, I would be extremely grateful. Kind regards Louise Reply JJ Smith 9 February 2023 - 4:03 pm Hi Louise, Thank you for your email. I understand the position you are in. I have read all I can on the internet and getting a pension in Australia for a New Zealander has been one of my harder subjects to get my head around. The good news is, yes you will be eligible for the Australian pension when you come of age, as your time living and working in New Zealand do count in Australia. If you haven’t already, have a read of my Australian Age Pension post – https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/australian-age-pension/. At the bottom, you can ask me any further questions you have. Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have. Good luck with your move. Reply Marilyn 12 October 2022 - 6:23 pm Hi I am a NZ Passport Holder. I have been a resident of Australia since the late 70’s. When I came to Australia way back then no passports or visa’s were required. I will be 66 in a couple of weeks. Can you advise on whether I am able to receive a NZ pension. Is it supplemented with an Australian Pension. Or would I just be better applying for an Australian Pension. Regards Marilyn Reply JJ Smith 13 October 2022 - 3:14 pm Hi Marilyn, Thank you for your comment. You need to contact CenterLink about getting the Australian pension. Here is the ‘how to claim’ information on the Australia Services website: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/how-to-claim-age-pension?context=22526. Senior Services International uses certain criteria to decide who can receive an NZ pension or benefit in Australia and how much you will be paid. You can read more about this here: https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/pensions/travelling-or-moving/social-security-agreements/australia.html#null. Please note, the age for the Australia Age Pension is 66 and 6 months. I don’t know if you can receive the NZ Pension until then. Unfortunately, this has been a really hard topic for me to get information on. If you aren’t sure you should contact both CenterLink and Work and Income and ask them. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help. Reply Warwick Parker 1 September 2022 - 12:14 pm Thankyou for your very informative website. I know you are not a financial adviser, but are you able to confirm that as a general rule, all my share investments and my NZ house should be sold before moving to Aust, to avoid the possibility of being caught for Aust capital gains tax, if these assets are sold later on. Maybe different perhaps is some of the share holdings are currently valued below cost. Thanks Warwick Reply JJ Smith 13 October 2022 - 3:23 pm Hi Warwick, Sorry for the delay in replying. All I can recommend is that you complete the Age Pension calculator and see how much your Australia Age Pension would be reduced if you didn’t sell your assets: https://www.superguide.com.au/in-retirement/age-pension-calculator. The above will help you make an informed decision. As a general rule, it is best to sell your assets before moving, especially your NZ home, so you do not have to pay CGT when you sell it. However, have a read of this post ‘Managing capital gains to reduce tax and boost your super’, as it might help you make the right decision for you: https://www.superguide.com.au/how-super-works/capital-gains-cgt-super. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help. Reply Stuart 16 August 2022 - 9:11 pm Hi. I know that I should be able to work this out for myself but each time I think I have it sorted there appears to be another twist. I believe that I would be entitled to have NZ super/Aus age pension paid if I was to move permanently to Australia. My situation Single 68yrs. Home owner value $300K to be sold prior to move. $60K in savings. Already on NZ super Your opinion/calculation greatly appreciated Thanks Stuart Reply JJ Smith 18 August 2022 - 1:34 pm Hi Stuart, Thank you for your comment. I know, it hasn’t been the easiest subject for me to get my head around either. I’ve put the information you gave me into the Age Pension calculator (https://www.superguide.com.au/in-retirement/age-pension-calculator) and these are your results: – Single – No home Asset test: – Financial investments $360,000 Income test: – Deemed income $6,965 Pension estimate: Per fortnight $948.66 Per year $24,665 So not much of a haircut on the full rate of $967.50. Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have. Good luck with your move. Reply Mellorie Hinton 12 August 2022 - 9:19 pm Thank you for this excellent website. My situation is a little unusual in that my husband and I are Australian citizens who have lived and worked in New Zealand for over 20 years (we moved her for his academic post). We have not become NZ citizens or permanent residents. We both worked in Australia for a few years before leaving and I also worked in the UK for a few years. I have a small amount of super in Australia I plan to move across to NZ so it is all in one place. We will retire in about 10 years and would like to move back to Australia to be closer to family (and better public health care). Are we effectively treated the same as Kiwi’s moving to Australia in terms of access to the NZ pension being asset tested? Or as Australians leaving NZ can we take our pension anywhere regardless of assets, given that it was earned in NZ? Reply JJ Smith 18 August 2022 - 1:42 pm Hi Mellorie, Thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, I am not a financial advisor and can only share what information I can find online. However, it sounds like when you move back to Australia, as an Australian citizen living in Australia, you will receive the Australia age pension: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/who-can-get-age-pension?context=22526. Your NZ pension would stop after 26 weeks, whether you are an NZ or Australian citizen who has moved to Australia. I hope that answers your question. Reply « 1 2 3 4 5 » Leave a Comment Cancel Reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
