Everything you need to know about accessing the age pension

A big chat with the new Assistant Minister for Ageing, Social Security and Women, Kate Thwaites

It’s a big one this week! I’ve got the new Assistant Minister for Ageing, Social Security and Women, Kate Thwaites joining me on the show to talk about this week’s age pension changes, and how the age pension might change in the years ahead. 

For anyone contemplating an income from the age pension in the future - or curious about the other benefits that might be available to them as they approach retirement: The Pension Concession Card, and the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, and Rent Assistance - this is a worthwhile listen. 

LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE OF THE PODCAST HERE:

• LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS

• LISTEN ON SPOTIFY 

Highlights of the conversation:

• The pension increase and how that will flow through to everyone this week.

• How the assets test and the income test work together with superannuation to layer your income.

• How you can access financial information services from Centrelink to help you get advice and better understand your eligibility for the age pension and what they do.

• Should we expect to see a significant shift to how the pension works in the coming years? We discuss the likely changes.  

• Are there really plans to include the family home in the assets test for the age pension? We have an important discussion about this. 

• When should you apply for the age pension to make sure you don’t miss out - and what’s the best process to work through to check your eligibility. 

• The Pension Concession Card - and the benefits people can get from it.

• The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, and the things we should be aware of. 

• Working and retirement and how the Work Bonus and the Work Bonus Income Bank works and how we can maximise income from working without worrying about our centrelink benefits and concession cards being taken away. Some great tips here.

• Renting, and housing security– and how we can do more for older people who rent (frequently women) who are struggling to find rental properties, and maintain their housing security. What can the government do about it. 

• Retirement education - and how we can help people better to navigate superannuation and the age pension. 

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From Bec’s Desk

Well, wasn’t that interesting! I certainly enjoyed asking the questions and hearing about the age pension, pension benefits and housing initiatives on the cards from the Assistant Minister responsible for shaping it. And hearing her bust some of the myths was good too.

Just one important thing to talk about today…

I’ve just launched the How to Have an Epic Retirement Flagship Course - Summer Edition. And I’ve been blown away by the interest. And a new surprise - a few people have been writing to me telling me they’re getting their employer to pay for it! Isn’t that a great idea! (Many good employers want you to feel confident and secure about your choices in this stage of life!)

It’s a six week program— and it’s our last for 2024.

• There’s 14 modules of on-demand education, dripped week by week - videos you can watch when it suits you and quizzes you can take to explore the concepts

• Six live Q&As - with some of Australia’s most respected retirement experts

• A live group coaching session on finding your purpose

• A custom 150 page workbook - mailed to you and available as digital

• A signed copy of How to Have an Epic Retirement - mailed to you

and a whole lot more… Download the detailed brochure on our website and book your place. There’s a 25% off early bird discount for the first 200 places.

And yes - we can provide an invoice or receipt for your company to pay for it as training. 😉

Catch you next week, and in the meantime, make your Prime Time count!

Many thanks! Bec Wilson

Author, podcaster, guest speaker, retirement educator … Visit my website for more info about me, here