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Simplifying your government Age Pension application

As a Rest member, help is available to you

Below, you’ll find information about some of the support and services available to you when applying for the government age pension, including where to find tools to check eligibility, and where you can find help to apply. 

Where to learn about the Age Pension

When to start an application

To be eligible for the government Age Pension, you must be age 67 or older and must meet other criteria. But applications can take time. Because Centrelink doesn’t back-pay a late application, it pays to reach out soon as you can – 13 weeks before your 67th birthday.

How paid-for services, like Retirement Essentials^, can help

Clearing up some common Age Pension myths

You can be eligible while you’re working


You can fall within the income limits for the government Age Pension even if you have a job. So, you might be eligible even when you’re working!

You can apply before you retire


Given wait times of up to 4 months, you should apply for the government Age Pension as soon as you can. The earliest date is 13 weeks before your 67th birthday. Late applications won’t receive backpay, so aim to apply as soon as possible.

Younger partners don’t stop you from receiving the age pension


You might be eligible regardless of your partner’s age. While you are assessed as a couple, you can still be eligible for your half of the government Age Pension before your partner turns 67. Book a call with a Rest Adviser* for strategies to maximise your benefits. 

Eligibility status changes over time


Regularly check whether you meet Age Pension requirements. Especially since thresholds can increase and you’ve likely spent some of your retirement savings over time. Free calculators from Retirement Essentials^ can help.

Overvaluing your items is easy to do


It’s common to value the things we love at a higher price than they are worth. How you value your items can lead to increased Age Pension payments.

Ready to start?

^ Retirement Essentials Pty Ltd, ABN 35 615 383 232, AFSL 468859 (Retirement Essentials) is a third-party service provider. Rest has no control over and is not responsible for the services, views or actions of Retirement Essentials. Rest does not receive any payments or commissions from Retirement Essentials as a result of you using their services. You should use your own judgement before taking up any service offered by a third party. You should ensure that you know, and understand, the terms and conditions which will apply to the provision of such services from the third party. Rest does not accept liability for any loss or damage incurred by any person as a result of using services provided by third parties like Retirement Essentials.

Read more on super and the government Age Pension