Federal Budget 2025-2026: What Seniors Discount Club members need-to know—by Kaye Fallick
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Kaye Fallick is a best-selling author and the founder of YourLifeChoices website. She is a passionate advocate for those over 60. Learn more about her work on her website: Staying Connected.
I’m thrilled to have been invited to report on matters financial for all Seniors Discount Club members.
Today I’m covering last night’s Federal Budget (2025-2026), or to be precise, just the items that older Australians need-to-know. The good news is that I’ve slogged through all the petty detail on your behalf and organised what matters most into five categories:
- Health
- Wealth
- Housing
- Energy
- Aged care
The Federal Budget Impacts YOUR money. But how? Image source: Free Pik
Health
The main announcement in health was made a few weeks back – and immediately matched by the Federal Opposition. This relates to an 8.5 Billion expansion of bulk billing and nearly $700 million to reduce the cost of most of the medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme by about $6 per script. Retirees with concession cards have script prices frozen at $7.70 already.
Wealth
Whilst not announced, there is widespread reporting of a further 12-months freeze on the deeming rates, the method with which Centrelink assesses your financial assets for eligibility for an Age Pension. These rates were frozen during the Covid Pandemic and remain at an all-time low for a year longer now. Assuming this is correct, it is a ‘biggie’ as, with rates at 0.25% (lower) and 2.25% (higher), most Age pensioners are ‘deemed’ to earn much less than they actually do on shares, savings and super balances.
Housing
While not aimed specifically at retirees, the expanded ‘Help to Buy’ Scheme could help older Australians who struggle to achieve enough for a deposit for their own home.
Energy
A universal $150 discount will be paid quarterly until end 2025. And the good news is that you don’t have to do anything to get this rebate , your supplier applies this discount to your bill. But it’s worth keeping an eye on your energy statements to ensure that this does happen.
Aged Care
Pay rises for Aged Care workers (as previously determined by the Fair Work Commission) will be delivered, providing more capacity to our under pressure aged care system.
Most of the above measures were selectively released to the general media in the weeks prior to the 25 March Budget announcements. But there was one sneaky surprise that Treasurer Jim Chalmers saved for his big night. This was a modest tax cut for all workers. If you are still working and don’t need the extra dollars, using this money to salary sacrifice more into your super could be a smart idea.
Is this a ‘good’ budget overall?
Given Australia has slipped back into deficit, there was never going to be a major pre-election spending splurge. The reported deeming announcement gives some security to the 2.6 million or so Australians who are receiving the Age Pensions. As noted above, the rates remain well below what retirees can actually earn on their financial investments, so it’s a great ‘free kick’.
What would have been helpful, had the spare funds been available, is an increase in the base rate of the Age Pension – a rate which has not been altered since PM Kevin Rudd increased it during the Global Financial Crisis of 2007. That’s a long way back and it’s fair to argue that, despite twice yearly indexation, the value of the full Age Pension has been severely eroded since that time, particularly for renters.
And then there’s the vexed issue of Commonwealth Rent Assistance which, despite yesterday’s planned increase, remains far too low for those on government benefits to find secure and viable accommodation.
Enough from me, over to you… Which measures in the Budget do you most appreciate? And which would you give the thumbs-down?
About the Author: Kaye Fallick is a writer and best selling author. She is also the founder and former publisher of the YourLifeChoices website which she believes gave her a 20-year ‘apprenticeship’ in learning the health, money and lifestage dramas and concerns of Australian baby boomers. She’s an advocate for Australians over the age of 60 and we are delighted to have her on board, writing content for you. If you’d like to know more about Kaye, you can visit her website, Staying Connected. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author.
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