Members, it’s always a good idea to keep up to date with Centrelink advances and changes, so that we can make sure to make the most of them and also keep safe from potential pitfalls.

If you are receiving a Centrelink payment, you should take note that the agency has recently imposed some changes on its payments policy that came into effect on 1st January 2023.

Here at the Seniors Discount Club, we believe that it's our duty to make sure our members are informed about all relevant changes to your rights and benefits, so we've done a bit of digging into this new policy and wanted to share what we've found.

Services Australia can suspend your Age Pension payment if you receive employment income, and you fail to meet the required payment standards for more than six fortnights in a row.

Age Pension will be reduced to $0 if your fortnightly income is over $2,243.00 for an individual or $3,431.20 for a couple.

Services Australia imposed a new policy for pension payments that took effect starting January 1, 2023. Credit: Services Australia.

'You don't need to ask us to suspend your payment, we'll do this automatically,' Services Australia said in a statement.

'When this happens, we'll write to you to let you know. We'll tell you the dates of the period we can suspend your payment for, and you won't need to report your employment income while your payment is suspended.'

The payment suspension period can last for up to two years, so be sure to keep an eye on your bank statement and make sure you don't exceed the threshold.

Additionally, pensioners who will be affected by the new policy will not be required to 'reclaim' their payments provided that their earnings have dipped below the cut-off point.

With the start of the New Year also came an increase in the rates for various Centrelink payments. Unfortunately, this did not include the Age Pension.

Due to indexation, over a million young people, carers and students on Centrelink saw their payments rise by roughly $20 a week on January 1st 2023.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said this extra money should help ease the cost of living pressures being experienced around the country.

Key Takeaways

• Pensioners were affected by a major change regarding the suspension of payments. From January 1, 2023, Services Australia will automatically suspend your Age Pension payment if your employment income exceeds its limit.
• Once this happens, Services Australia will write to you to let you know the dates and the period they will suspend your payment.

What are your thoughts on this article? Better yet, do you think that it’s fair for the government to suspend pensioners’ payments if they earn above a certain amount? Let us know in the comments below!

Amendment: An earlier iteration incorrectly implied seniors saw a pension increase on January 1st. This indexation increase was only applied for youth allowance, ABSTUDY, isolated children assistance, mobility allowance, double orphan pension, carer allowance and pharmaceutical allowance. We apologise for any confusion caused.

 

[Sherza]

That’s not good for the likes of us school bus drivers as they will suspend our payments then we will have no money coming in through the school holidays when we aren’t working. Must be time for us to give up work altogether which means there’s going to be a major problem getting kids to school as there is a major shortage of driver’s already.
Do these clowns ever think a thing through before they do it.

 

[CINNAMON]

Members, it’s always a good idea to keep up to date with Centrelink advances and changes, so that we can make sure to make the most of them and also keep safe from potential pitfalls.

If you are receiving a Centrelink payment, you should take note that the agency has recently imposed some changes on its payments policy that came into effect on 1st January 2023.

Here at the Seniors Discount Club, we believe that it's our duty to make sure our members are informed about all relevant changes to your rights and benefits, so we've done a bit of digging into this new policy and wanted to share what we've found.

Services Australia can suspend your Age Pension payment if you receive employment income, and you fail to meet the required payment standards for more than six fortnights in a row.

Age Pension will be reduced to $0 a fortnight if your monthly job income is over $2,243.00 for an individual or $3,431.20 for a couple.

Services Australia imposed a new policy for pension payments that took effect starting January 1, 2023. Credit: Services Australia.

'You don't need to ask us to suspend your payment, we'll do this automatically,' Services Australia said in a statement.

'When this happens, we'll write to you to let you know. We'll tell you the dates of the period we can suspend your payment for, and you won't need to report your employment income while your payment is suspended.'

The payment suspension period can last for up to two years, so be sure to keep an eye on your bank statement and make sure you don't exceed the threshold.

Additionally, pensioners who will be affected by the new policy will not be required to 'reclaim' their payments provided that their earnings have dipped below the cut-off point.

It's not all bad news though – with the start of the New Year also came an increase in the rates for various Centrelink payments.

Due to indexation, over a million Aussies on Centrelink saw their payments rise by roughly $20 a week. Seniors saw a rise in their pensions of between $27.40 and $40.70 per fortnight.

Similar adjustments were made to the rates for the ABSTUDY, isolated children assistance, mobility allowance, double orphan pension, carer allowance and pharmaceutical allowance.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said this extra money should help ease the cost of living pressures being experienced around the country.

Key Takeaways

• Pensioners were affected by a major change regarding the suspension of payments. From January 1, 2023, Services Australia will automatically suspend your Age Pension payment if your employment income exceeds its limit.
• Once this happens, Services Australia will write to you to let you know the dates and the period they will suspend your payment.

What are your thoughts on this article? Better yet, do you think that it’s fair for the government to suspend pensioners’ payments if they earn above a certain amount? Let us know in the comments below!

No I don't think it's fair. Seniors get ripped off the most. Some "couples" out there are both on a benefit of some kind and both are working, cash in hand. They are much better off than your aged pensioners. Not all pensioners own their own home and are paying exorbitant rents.. The rent assistance from centerlink isn't that much each week/fortnight. These beauracrats should try living on it for 6months. Renting, paying bills and then try buying food, see how they go.

 

[Suzanne rose]

It's saying if you earn money and for six fortnights in a row your pension is 0 because of your income then your pension will be suspended not cancelled

If there is a fortnight you don't earn money then all you need to do is let them know.

If you stop working or income is under the threshold you let centrelink know and payment will be adjusted.

They have had this system in for years for jobseeker and youth allowance.

To centrelink if you go six fornights ,12 weeks over the threshold then this is permanent work

It actually makes sense

 

[Januvia1952]

Members, it’s always a good idea to keep up to date with Centrelink advances and changes, so that we can make sure to make the most of them and also keep safe from potential pitfalls.

If you are receiving a Centrelink payment, you should take note that the agency has recently imposed some changes on its payments policy that came into effect on 1st January 2023.

Here at the Seniors Discount Club, we believe that it's our duty to make sure our members are informed about all relevant changes to your rights and benefits, so we've done a bit of digging into this new policy and wanted to share what we've found.

Services Australia can suspend your Age Pension payment if you receive employment income, and you fail to meet the required payment standards for more than six fortnights in a row.

Age Pension will be reduced to $0 a fortnight if your monthly job income is over $2,243.00 for an individual or $3,431.20 for a couple.

Services Australia imposed a new policy for pension payments that took effect starting January 1, 2023. Credit: Services Australia.

'You don't need to ask us to suspend your payment, we'll do this automatically,' Services Australia said in a statement.

'When this happens, we'll write to you to let you know. We'll tell you the dates of the period we can suspend your payment for, and you won't need to report your employment income while your payment is suspended.'

The payment suspension period can last for up to two years, so be sure to keep an eye on your bank statement and make sure you don't exceed the threshold.

Additionally, pensioners who will be affected by the new policy will not be required to 'reclaim' their payments provided that their earnings have dipped below the cut-off point.

It's not all bad news though – with the start of the New Year also came an increase in the rates for various Centrelink payments.

Due to indexation, over a million Aussies on Centrelink saw their payments rise by roughly $20 a week. Seniors saw a rise in their pensions of between $27.40 and $40.70 per fortnight.

Similar adjustments were made to the rates for the ABSTUDY, isolated children assistance, mobility allowance, double orphan pension, carer allowance and pharmaceutical allowance.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said this extra money should help ease the cost of living pressures being experienced around the country.

Key Takeaways

• Pensioners were affected by a major change regarding the suspension of payments. From January 1, 2023, Services Australia will automatically suspend your Age Pension payment if your employment income exceeds its limit.
• Once this happens, Services Australia will write to you to let you know the dates and the period they will suspend your payment.

What are your thoughts on this article? Better yet, do you think that it’s fair for the government to suspend pensioners’ payments if they earn above a certain amount? Let us know in the comments below!

My age pension hasn’gone up ? It went up in September 2022. What is this increase?

 

[MickRob69]

Members, it’s always a good idea to keep up to date with Centrelink advances and changes, so that we can make sure to make the most of them and also keep safe from potential pitfalls.

If you are receiving a Centrelink payment, you should take note that the agency has recently imposed some changes on its payments policy that came into effect on 1st January 2023.

Here at the Seniors Discount Club, we believe that it's our duty to make sure our members are informed about all relevant changes to your rights and benefits, so we've done a bit of digging into this new policy and wanted to share what we've found.

Services Australia can suspend your Age Pension payment if you receive employment income, and you fail to meet the required payment standards for more than six fortnights in a row.

Age Pension will be reduced to $0 a fortnight if your monthly job income is over $2,243.00 for an individual or $3,431.20 for a couple.

Services Australia imposed a new policy for pension payments that took effect starting January 1, 2023. Credit: Services Australia.

'You don't need to ask us to suspend your payment, we'll do this automatically,' Services Australia said in a statement.

'When this happens, we'll write to you to let you know. We'll tell you the dates of the period we can suspend your payment for, and you won't need to report your employment income while your payment is suspended.'

The payment suspension period can last for up to two years, so be sure to keep an eye on your bank statement and make sure you don't exceed the threshold.

Additionally, pensioners who will be affected by the new policy will not be required to 'reclaim' their payments provided that their earnings have dipped below the cut-off point.

It's not all bad news though – with the start of the New Year also came an increase in the rates for various Centrelink payments.

Due to indexation, over a million Aussies on Centrelink saw their payments rise by roughly $20 a week. Seniors saw a rise in their pensions of between $27.40 and $40.70 per fortnight.

Similar adjustments were made to the rates for the ABSTUDY, isolated children assistance, mobility allowance, double orphan pension, carer allowance and pharmaceutical allowance.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said this extra money should help ease the cost of living pressures being experienced around the country.

Key Takeaways

• Pensioners were affected by a major change regarding the suspension of payments. From January 1, 2023, Services Australia will automatically suspend your Age Pension payment if your employment income exceeds its limit.
• Once this happens, Services Australia will write to you to let you know the dates and the period they will suspend your payment.

What are your thoughts on this article? Better yet, do you think that it’s fair for the government to suspend pensioners’ payments if they earn above a certain amount? Let us know in the comments below!

 

[Janmf]

My age pension hasn’gone up ? It went up in September 2022. What is this increase?

I was thinking the same thing

 

[aussie5159]

Members, it’s always a good idea to keep up to date with Centrelink advances and changes, so that we can make sure to make the most of them and also keep safe from potential pitfalls.

If you are receiving a Centrelink payment, you should take note that the agency has recently imposed some changes on its payments policy that came into effect on 1st January 2023.

Here at the Seniors Discount Club, we believe that it's our duty to make sure our members are informed about all relevant changes to your rights and benefits, so we've done a bit of digging into this new policy and wanted to share what we've found.

Services Australia can suspend your Age Pension payment if you receive employment income, and you fail to meet the required payment standards for more than six fortnights in a row.

Age Pension will be reduced to $0 a fortnight if your monthly job income is over $2,243.00 for an individual or $3,431.20 for a couple.

Services Australia imposed a new policy for pension payments that took effect starting January 1, 2023. Credit: Services Australia.

'You don't need to ask us to suspend your payment, we'll do this automatically,' Services Australia said in a statement.

'When this happens, we'll write to you to let you know. We'll tell you the dates of the period we can suspend your payment for, and you won't need to report your employment income while your payment is suspended.'

The payment suspension period can last for up to two years, so be sure to keep an eye on your bank statement and make sure you don't exceed the threshold.

Additionally, pensioners who will be affected by the new policy will not be required to 'reclaim' their payments provided that their earnings have dipped below the cut-off point.

It's not all bad news though – with the start of the New Year also came an increase in the rates for various Centrelink payments.

Due to indexation, over a million Aussies on Centrelink saw their payments rise by roughly $20 a week. Seniors saw a rise in their pensions of between $27.40 and $40.70 per fortnight.

Similar adjustments were made to the rates for the ABSTUDY, isolated children assistance, mobility allowance, double orphan pension, carer allowance and pharmaceutical allowance.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said this extra money should help ease the cost of living pressures being experienced around the country.

Key Takeaways

• Pensioners were affected by a major change regarding the suspension of payments. From January 1, 2023, Services Australia will automatically suspend your Age Pension payment if your employment income exceeds its limit.
• Once this happens, Services Australia will write to you to let you know the dates and the period they will suspend your payment.

What are your thoughts on this article? Better yet, do you think that it’s fair for the government to suspend pensioners’ payments if they earn above a certain amount? Let us know in the comments below!

 

[aussie5159]

they are always looking for ways to save money pensioners seem to be in their view. Most of us worked all our lives paying taxes yet we are the ones who seem to be affected yet I see ways that they could save money but no one thinks of it .... I think non working mothers should not get free childcare .

 

[Beatie]

Members, it’s always a good idea to keep up to date with Centrelink advances and changes, so that we can make sure to make the most of them and also keep safe from potential pitfalls.

If you are receiving a Centrelink payment, you should take note that the agency has recently imposed some changes on its payments policy that came into effect on 1st January 2023.

Here at the Seniors Discount Club, we believe that it's our duty to make sure our members are informed about all relevant changes to your rights and benefits, so we've done a bit of digging into this new policy and wanted to share what we've found.

Services Australia can suspend your Age Pension payment if you receive employment income, and you fail to meet the required payment standards for more than six fortnights in a row.

Age Pension will be reduced to $0 a fortnight if your monthly job income is over $2,243.00 for an individual or $3,431.20 for a couple.

Services Australia imposed a new policy for pension payments that took effect starting January 1, 2023. Credit: Services Australia.

'You don't need to ask us to suspend your payment, we'll do this automatically,' Services Australia said in a statement.

'When this happens, we'll write to you to let you know. We'll tell you the dates of the period we can suspend your payment for, and you won't need to report your employment income while your payment is suspended.'

The payment suspension period can last for up to two years, so be sure to keep an eye on your bank statement and make sure you don't exceed the threshold.

Additionally, pensioners who will be affected by the new policy will not be required to 'reclaim' their payments provided that their earnings have dipped below the cut-off point.

It's not all bad news though – with the start of the New Year also came an increase in the rates for various Centrelink payments.

Due to indexation, over a million Aussies on Centrelink saw their payments rise by roughly $20 a week. Seniors saw a rise in their pensions of between $27.40 and $40.70 per fortnight.

Similar adjustments were made to the rates for the ABSTUDY, isolated children assistance, mobility allowance, double orphan pension, carer allowance and pharmaceutical allowance.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said this extra money should help ease the cost of living pressures being experienced around the country.

Key Takeaways

• Pensioners were affected by a major change regarding the suspension of payments. From January 1, 2023, Services Australia will automatically suspend your Age Pension payment if your employment income exceeds its limit.
• Once this happens, Services Australia will write to you to let you know the dates and the period they will suspend your payment.

What are your thoughts on this article? Better yet, do you think that it’s fair for the government to suspend pensioners’ payments if they earn above a certain amount? Let us know in the comments below!

 

[Ian Crane-Luff]

I was thinking the same thing

Age pensions are adjusted in March and September, they refer to other pensions

 

[Singomate]

Members, it’s always a good idea to keep up to date with Centrelink advances and changes, so that we can make sure to make the most of them and also keep safe from potential pitfalls.

If you are receiving a Centrelink payment, you should take note that the agency has recently imposed some changes on its payments policy that came into effect on 1st January 2023.

Here at the Seniors Discount Club, we believe that it's our duty to make sure our members are informed about all relevant changes to your rights and benefits, so we've done a bit of digging into this new policy and wanted to share what we've found.

Services Australia can suspend your Age Pension payment if you receive employment income, and you fail to meet the required payment standards for more than six fortnights in a row.

Age Pension will be reduced to $0 a fortnight if your monthly job income is over $2,243.00 for an individual or $3,431.20 for a couple.

Services Australia imposed a new policy for pension payments that took effect starting January 1, 2023. Credit: Services Australia.

'You don't need to ask us to suspend your payment, we'll do this automatically,' Services Australia said in a statement.

'When this happens, we'll write to you to let you know. We'll tell you the dates of the period we can suspend your payment for, and you won't need to report your employment income while your payment is suspended.'

The payment suspension period can last for up to two years, so be sure to keep an eye on your bank statement and make sure you don't exceed the threshold.

Additionally, pensioners who will be affected by the new policy will not be required to 'reclaim' their payments provided that their earnings have dipped below the cut-off point.

It's not all bad news though – with the start of the New Year also came an increase in the rates for various Centrelink payments.

Due to indexation, over a million Aussies on Centrelink saw their payments rise by roughly $20 a week. Seniors saw a rise in their pensions of between $27.40 and $40.70 per fortnight.

Similar adjustments were made to the rates for the ABSTUDY, isolated children assistance, mobility allowance, double orphan pension, carer allowance and pharmaceutical allowance.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said this extra money should help ease the cost of living pressures being experienced around the country.

Key Takeaways

• Pensioners were affected by a major change regarding the suspension of payments. From January 1, 2023, Services Australia will automatically suspend your Age Pension payment if your employment income exceeds its limit.
• Once this happens, Services Australia will write to you to let you know the dates and the period they will suspend your payment.

What are your thoughts on this article? Better yet, do you think that it’s fair for the government to suspend pensioners’ payments if they earn above a certain amount? Let us know in the comments below!

Still a very small amount to try and survive on the powers to be still don't get it the cost of living is rising faster than the payments. Still lacking in a policy the lack of affordable houses for seniors so we can live can survive with some sort of dignity, and keep a smile on our faces

 

[Beatie]

I think its fair enough to suspend payments if income exceeds allowable amount, it means you are still capable of supporting yourself without support from a pension. I believe notification or warning prior to suspension should be put in place as a lot of affected people probably aren’t aware of this situation.

 

[Nanamarree]

Members, it’s always a good idea to keep up to date with Centrelink advances and changes, so that we can make sure to make the most of them and also keep safe from potential pitfalls.

If you are receiving a Centrelink payment, you should take note that the agency has recently imposed some changes on its payments policy that came into effect on 1st January 2023.

Here at the Seniors Discount Club, we believe that it's our duty to make sure our members are informed about all relevant changes to your rights and benefits, so we've done a bit of digging into this new policy and wanted to share what we've found.

Services Australia can suspend your Age Pension payment if you receive employment income, and you fail to meet the required payment standards for more than six fortnights in a row.

Age Pension will be reduced to $0 a fortnight if your monthly job income is over $2,243.00 for an individual or $3,431.20 for a couple.

Services Australia imposed a new policy for pension payments that took effect starting January 1, 2023. Credit: Services Australia.

'You don't need to ask us to suspend your payment, we'll do this automatically,' Services Australia said in a statement.

'When this happens, we'll write to you to let you know. We'll tell you the dates of the period we can suspend your payment for, and you won't need to report your employment income while your payment is suspended.'

The payment suspension period can last for up to two years, so be sure to keep an eye on your bank statement and make sure you don't exceed the threshold.

Additionally, pensioners who will be affected by the new policy will not be required to 'reclaim' their payments provided that their earnings have dipped below the cut-off point.

It's not all bad news though – with the start of the New Year also came an increase in the rates for various Centrelink payments.

Due to indexation, over a million Aussies on Centrelink saw their payments rise by roughly $20 a week. Seniors saw a rise in their pensions of between $27.40 and $40.70 per fortnight.

Similar adjustments were made to the rates for the ABSTUDY, isolated children assistance, mobility allowance, double orphan pension, carer allowance and pharmaceutical allowance.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said this extra money should help ease the cost of living pressures being experienced around the country.

Key Takeaways

• Pensioners were affected by a major change regarding the suspension of payments. From January 1, 2023, Services Australia will automatically suspend your Age Pension payment if your employment income exceeds its limit.
• Once this happens, Services Australia will write to you to let you know the dates and the period they will suspend your payment.

I worked over 50 years and paid my taxes so as I could get aged pension when I retired…….

Key Takeaways

Why do they think that on a whim that they can suspend our pension
If it wasn’t for us pensioners who are still capable of doing a little bit of work nothing would gate done.
It would be different if we were getting over $1000 per week pay , but the majority are only getting 1 pr 2 days a week work… Centrelink likes to hold us to ransom

What are your thoughts on this article? Better yet, do you think that it’s fair for the government to suspend pensioners’ payments if they earn above a certain amount? Let us know in the comments below!

 

[Chook]

Key Takeaways

Why do they think that on a whim that they can suspend our pension
If it wasn’t for us pensioners who are still capable of doing a little bit of work nothing would gate done.
It would be different if we were getting over $1000 per week pay , but the majority are only getting 1 pr 2 days a week work… Centrelink likes to hold us to ransom

For Australia's Economy, it would have been better to allow the Seniors to keep their pension and work full/part-time with full earnings and paying full taxes. However, no taxes on the Pension Earnings.

 

[JustJane]

Members, it’s always a good idea to keep up to date with Centrelink advances and changes, so that we can make sure to make the most of them and also keep safe from potential pitfalls.

If you are receiving a Centrelink payment, you should take note that the agency has recently imposed some changes on its payments policy that came into effect on 1st January 2023.

Here at the Seniors Discount Club, we believe that it's our duty to make sure our members are informed about all relevant changes to your rights and benefits, so we've done a bit of digging into this new policy and wanted to share what we've found.

Services Australia can suspend your Age Pension payment if you receive employment income, and you fail to meet the required payment standards for more than six fortnights in a row.

Age Pension will be reduced to $0 a fortnight if your monthly job income is over $2,243.00 for an individual or $3,431.20 for a couple.

Services Australia imposed a new policy for pension payments that took effect starting January 1, 2023. Credit: Services Australia.

'You don't need to ask us to suspend your payment, we'll do this automatically,' Services Australia said in a statement.

'When this happens, we'll write to you to let you know. We'll tell you the dates of the period we can suspend your payment for, and you won't need to report your employment income while your payment is suspended.'

The payment suspension period can last for up to two years, so be sure to keep an eye on your bank statement and make sure you don't exceed the threshold.

Additionally, pensioners who will be affected by the new policy will not be required to 'reclaim' their payments provided that their earnings have dipped below the cut-off point.

It's not all bad news though – with the start of the New Year also came an increase in the rates for various Centrelink payments.

Due to indexation, over a million Aussies on Centrelink saw their payments rise by roughly $20 a week. Seniors saw a rise in their pensions of between $27.40 and $40.70 per fortnight.

Similar adjustments were made to the rates for the ABSTUDY, isolated children assistance, mobility allowance, double orphan pension, carer allowance and pharmaceutical allowance.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said this extra money should help ease the cost of living pressures being experienced around the country.

Key Takeaways

• Pensioners were affected by a major change regarding the suspension of payments. From January 1, 2023, Services Australia will automatically suspend your Age Pension payment if your employment income exceeds its limit.
• Once this happens, Services Australia will write to you to let you know the dates and the period they will suspend your payment.

What are your thoughts on this article? Better yet, do you think that it’s fair for the government to suspend pensioners’ payments if they earn above a certain amount? Let us know in the comments below!

 

[choylee23]

Yet again the Pensioner pays for the generations who don't want to work.
The welfare state is alive and thriving in the land of opportunity for everyone but the generations who fought for it and built it !!! Have you seen how many different payments Centrelink now provide to all comers !!!
I am 71 have gone back to work and get a part pension etc;
my partner also only gets the same part pension because I work; he is not working
I have used up my accrued work bonuses but cant touch partners although we both get penalised.
Dont mind the part payment because I work but fair go - I reckon my partner should be able to stay on his full pension or at least use his accrued work bonus
Great work Centrelink - you got us old and honest ones by the short and curlies !!!!

 

[JustJane]

"... with the start of the New Year also came an increase in the rates for various Centrelink payments. Due to indexation, over a million Aussies on Centrelink saw their payments rise by roughly $20 a week. Seniors saw a rise in their pensions of between $27.40 and $40.70 per fortnight."

Unfortunately it appears that Age Pensioners don't get any increase this time around. A few extra $$ would be very welcome with the cost of food these days. Having said that, I am VERY grateful that there is so much support here in Australia for people doing it tough. One of my children has an incurable genetic condition that means she can never live on her own or work, except in a business that employs people with disabilities. Without the Disability Support Pension she would be in dire straits. DSP has made it possible for her to live in a group home and be looked after for the rest of her life. I have also received Sickness Benefits in the past when I was having treatment for cancer and couldn't work. We are very, very lucky here!

 

[AlanM]

Members, it’s always a good idea to keep up to date with Centrelink advances and changes, so that we can make sure to make the most of them and also keep safe from potential pitfalls.

If you are receiving a Centrelink payment, you should take note that the agency has recently imposed some changes on its payments policy that came into effect on 1st January 2023.

Here at the Seniors Discount Club, we believe that it's our duty to make sure our members are informed about all relevant changes to your rights and benefits, so we've done a bit of digging into this new policy and wanted to share what we've found.

Services Australia can suspend your Age Pension payment if you receive employment income, and you fail to meet the required payment standards for more than six fortnights in a row.

Age Pension will be reduced to $0 a fortnight if your monthly job income is over $2,243.00 for an individual or $3,431.20 for a couple.

Services Australia imposed a new policy for pension payments that took effect starting January 1, 2023. Credit: Services Australia.

'You don't need to ask us to suspend your payment, we'll do this automatically,' Services Australia said in a statement.

'When this happens, we'll write to you to let you know. We'll tell you the dates of the period we can suspend your payment for, and you won't need to report your employment income while your payment is suspended.'

The payment suspension period can last for up to two years, so be sure to keep an eye on your bank statement and make sure you don't exceed the threshold.

Additionally, pensioners who will be affected by the new policy will not be required to 'reclaim' their payments provided that their earnings have dipped below the cut-off point.

It's not all bad news though – with the start of the New Year also came an increase in the rates for various Centrelink payments.

Due to indexation, over a million Aussies on Centrelink saw their payments rise by roughly $20 a week. Seniors saw a rise in their pensions of between $27.40 and $40.70 per fortnight.

Similar adjustments were made to the rates for the ABSTUDY, isolated children assistance, mobility allowance, double orphan pension, carer allowance and pharmaceutical allowance.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said this extra money should help ease the cost of living pressures being experienced around the country.

Key Takeaways

• Pensioners were affected by a major change regarding the suspension of payments. From January 1, 2023, Services Australia will automatically suspend your Age Pension payment if your employment income exceeds its limit.
• Once this happens, Services Australia will write to you to let you know the dates and the period they will suspend your payment.

What are your thoughts on this article? Better yet, do you think that it’s fair for the government to suspend pensioners’ payments if they earn above a certain amount? Let us know in the comments below!

but what is the maximum earnings figure per fortnight allowed before pension is effected ?

 

[chezna]

Still a very small amount to try and survive on the powers to be still don't get it the cost of living is rising faster than the payments. Still lacking in a policy the lack of affordable houses for seniors so we can live can survive with some sort of dignity, and keep a smile on our faces

Be thankful! Many countries in the world don’t have pensions!