In this guide
- Age Pension 2026 Rates: Maximum Fortnightly Payments
- Who Can Get the Age Pension in 2026? Eligibility Basics
- Age Pension Assets Test 2026 (Limits from 1 July 2026)
- Age Pension Income Test 2026
- Worked Example: Part Pension Calculation
- Key Dates for Age Pension 2026
- How to Apply for the Age Pension in 2026
- FAQ
- Conclusion on Age Pension 2026 Rates
From 20 March 2026, the maximum Age Pension 2026 rate is $1,200.90/fortnight ($31,223/year) for a single person and $905.20/fortnight each ($47,070/year combined) for a couple. These Age Pension rates 2026 apply until the next indexation on 20 September 2026. Your actual fortnightly payment depends on the income and assets tests, so most people receive less than the maximum.
If you’re asking “how much Age Pension can I get in 2026,” the short version is: it depends on whether you’re single or partnered, whether you own your home, and how much you have in assets and income. Below is the full breakdown.
Age Pension 2026 Rates: Maximum Fortnightly Payments
| Situation | Fortnightly | Annual (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $1,200.90 | $31,223 |
| Couple (each) | $905.20 | $23,535 |
| Couple (combined) | $1,810.40 | $47,070 |
| Couple, separated due to illness (each, paid at the single rate) | $1,200.90 | — |
These amounts include the base payment, Pension Supplement, and Energy Supplement, so there’s nothing extra to add on top.
Age Pension 2026 Payment Breakdown (Single Rate)
- Base rate: $1,079.70
- Pension Supplement: $84.90
- Energy Supplement: $14.10
- Total: $1,200.90 per fortnight
Who Can Get the Age Pension in 2026? Eligibility Basics
To qualify for a retirement pension payment in Australia in 2026, you generally need to meet these conditions:
- Age requirement: 67 years or older.
- Residency rules: Usually 10+ years as an Australian resident in total, including at least 5 continuous years.
- Income and assets tests: Services Australia (Centrelink) runs both tests and pays whichever result gives you the lower amount.
You can check your own eligibility using the Services Australia Age Pension eligibility guide, and estimate your payment with the Age Pension calculator on Services Australia.
Age Pension Assets Test 2026 (Limits from 1 July 2026)
Your family home is exempt from this test. Below the “full pension” limit, you get the maximum rate. Between that and the “cut-off” point, you get a reduced part pension. Above the cut-off, you receive no Age Pension at all.
| Situation | Full pension if assets below | Part pension cuts out at |
|---|---|---|
| Single homeowner | $333,000 | $733,500 |
| Single non-homeowner | $600,000 | $1,000,500 |
| Couple homeowner (combined) | $499,000 | $1,102,500 |
| Couple non-homeowner (combined) | $766,000 | $1,369,500 |
Above the lower threshold, payments reduce by $3/fortnight for every $1,000 in assets over the limit. This is called the taper rate.
Age Pension Income Test 2026
- A single person can generally earn up to about $226/fortnight in regular income (plus up to $460/fortnight from work under the Work Bonus) and still receive the full pension.
- Above the free area, payments reduce by 50 cents per dollar for singles, or 25 cents per dollar each for couples.
- Deeming rates (applied to financial assets like superannuation and bank accounts, from 20 March 2026): 1.25% on the first $64,200 (single) or $106,200 (couple), and 3.25% on amounts above that.
- Work Bonus: the first $300/fortnight of employment income is excluded from the income test, and unused amounts accrue up to $11,800. New pensioners start with a $4,000 balance.
For a deeper explanation of how deeming works, see this plain-English deeming rates explainer from Moneysmart, a free government financial guidance service.
Worked Example: Part Pension Calculation
A single homeowner with $421,500 in assessable assets — $100,000 over the relevant lower threshold — would see their fortnightly payment reduced by roughly $300 compared to the full rate, under the $3-per-$1,000 taper rate. This is a useful way to sanity-check any Age Pension estimate you calculate yourself.
Key Dates for Age Pension 2026
- Rates last indexed: 20 March 2026
- Next Age Pension increase: 20 September 2026
- Asset thresholds also reviewed in July each year
How to Apply for the Age Pension in 2026
- Set up or log in to your myGov account and link it to Centrelink.
- Gather proof of identity, income, assets, and residency documents.
- Submit your claim online up to 13 weeks before you reach Age Pension age.
- Wait for Services Australia to assess you against both the income test and assets test — you’ll be paid based on whichever result is lower.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion on Age Pension 2026 Rates
Most retirees don’t receive the maximum Age Pension amount. Roughly 39% get the full pension and another 24% receive a part pension.
To estimate your own payment, check both the assets test and income test outcomes, take the lower figure, and remember your family home is never counted as an assessable asset.
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General Advice Warning: This article contains general information only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation, or needs. Before making any financial decisions, you should consider whether the information is appropriate to your circumstances and seek personal financial advice. Nasser Zreika and Lincoln Wealth Advisers are Authorised Representatives of Synchron, AFS Licence No. 243313.