What Is An Account Based Pension?

An account-based pension (ABP) is an account you open with the superannuation money you’ve saved over your working life. At Rest, this is known as a Rest Pension account. Once you’ve set it up, regular payments from it will go into your bank account to spend as you need it.

You can generally access your super and start an account-based pension after you turn 60 and retire, or you may start a Transition to Retirement (TTR) pension if you’re still working after age 60.

Here’s a comparison chart to show how an account-based pension is different from the government’s Age Pension:

Account-based Pension	Age Pension
Self-funded income from your superannuation savings	Government funded income
You generally must be age 60 or more and retired to be eligible for a pension. Or a TTR pension if you are 60 and still working	You must be 67 and eligibility will be determined by your residency, income, assets, and relationship status
Flexibility with the ability to choose the amount and frequency of payments	If eligible, a fixed timing and the amount you receive is determined by income, assets, and relationship status
Payments are tax-free over the age of 60	Payment form a part of your taxable income unless it is your only source of income in retirement
How long will it last? It depends on how much you take and how much in investment earnings you receive.	Paid by government subject to eligibility tests

Account-based Pension	Self-funded income from your superannuation savings
Age Pension	Government funded income

Account-based Pension	You generally must be age 60 or more and retired to be eligible for a pension. Or a TTR pension if you are 60 and still working
Age Pension	You must be 67 and eligibility will be determined by your residency, income, assets, and relationship status

Account-based Pension	Flexibility with the ability to choose the amount and frequency of payments
Age Pension	If eligible, a fixed timing and the amount you receive is determined by income, assets, and relationship status

Account-based Pension	Payments are tax-free over the age of 60
Age Pension	Payment form a part of your taxable income unless it is your only source of income in retirement

Account-based Pension	How long will it last? It depends on how much you take and how much in investment earnings you receive.
Age Pension	Paid by government subject to eligibility tests

Can I get the Age Pension if I am also drawing an income from an account-based pension?

Once you’ve’ reached the Age Pension age, you might be eligible for the Age Pension, even if you have super savings. Explore how much super you can have and still be eligible for the Age Pension here.

What are the benefits of an account-based pension?

You generally won’t pay tax on any earnings generated by your Rest account. You won’t pay tax on pension payments after the age of 60.
You can vary the payment frequencies (fortnightly, monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or annually) and amounts (subject to annual minimum and maximum restrictions).
You'll have flexibility to take lump sum payments from your Rest account if you need to, these are also tax free after the age of 60.
Your pension account stays invested and working for you like your pre-retirement super account did while you were still working.

Tip:

Try Rest’s superannuation calculator to see how much you could have to spend in retirement and explore different ways to help boost your super balance. Or, if you’re a Rest Member, try our Retirement Health Check.

Are there downsides to an account-based pension?

Your investment earnings aren’t guaranteed and may go up or down in line with market performance.
There's no guarantee your pension will last for your life.
The account-based pension forms part of the Government's income and assets tests, so it may affect whether you can receive Centrelink income support payments like the Age Pension.
There are limits on the total amount of super that can be transferred into the retirement phase - this is called the transfer balance cap. If you exceed this cap you’ll pay an “excess transfer balance” tax.
Money left over from your account-based pension when you pass away may attract extra taxes.

Account-based pensions can be a good choice if you want a regular, flexible, and tax-effective income, but they don’t guarantee an income for life and are subject to the limitations outlined above.

Unexpected events

Returning to work after you’ve retired and accessed your super

Most retirees can return to work after accessing their super but there are things to consider.

What are the latest Age Pension rates and limits?

In this article, we’ll walk you through the current pension rates and Age Pension limits.

How much super can you have and still get the Age Pension?

Thinking of applying for the Age Pension? Find out how your super balance and overall assets could affect your eligibility for Age Pension payments.

What is an account-based pension? Your income during retirement.

What are the benefits of an account-based pension?

Tip:

Are there downsides to an account-based pension?

How do I open an account-based pension?

Want to learn more?

Returning to work after you’ve retired and accessed your super

What are the latest Age Pension rates and limits?

How much super can you have and still get the Age Pension?