Disclaimer: The names in asterisks (*) were changed for privacy.

Travelling is one of life's greatest joys, especially after decades of hard work.

It's a way to experience different cultures, explore new horizons, and enjoy one's golden years.

Yet, for one senior, her overseas trip left her shocked and frustrated.

Lauren* had planned a four-week visit to Tennessee, United States, to see her son and grandchildren.

The 78-year-old widow was then accompanied by her adult daughter, Jessica.

Throughout the trip, Jessica* fell ill and needed a minor medical procedure.

Lauren decided to extend her stay to look after her daughter.

Lauren* wanted to spend time with her children in the United States. Image Credit: Pexels/Martin Péchy

'I was only meant to be away for a month, with my daughter going on to do more travelling,' Lauren explained.

'But I wasn't going to leave her in case her condition got worse.'

What Lauren did not realise was that this decision would trigger a series of unexpected events.

After being away for six weeks, Lauren noticed her pension payment was about $30 short.

The next fortnight, it was down by $50, and the reductions kept coming.

Confused and concerned, Lauren called Centrelink, only to be told that pensioners who leave Australia for more than six weeks face automatic payment cuts.

'And the pension gets reduced more and more for each week you are away,' Lauren reiterated.

'Older Australians who have worked hard our whole lives get punished for daring to spend more than six weeks out of Australia. It's disgusting.'

Lauren's full pension was reinstated when she returned to Australia.

However, Centrelink told Lauren that she would not be reimbursed for the lost payments.

'I want everyone to know about this rule. Just because you travel overseas doesn't mean you're rich,' Lauren lamented.

'People have direct debits and rely on their pension to pay bills. It's outrageous.'

Unfortunately, Lauren's story was not an isolated case.

Many seniors are unaware of 'Age Pension portability' rules, which could have a significant impact on finances, especially when travelling overseas.

According to Services Australia's Community Information Officer, Justin Bott, these portability rules depend on several factors.

'How much pension you get changes depending on how long you're away, how long you have lived in Australia or whether you're leaving to live in another country,' he said.

'If you get the Age Pension and are planning on travelling overseas for longer than six weeks, you need to tell Services Australia.'

How does the Age Pension change during your travels?

• First six weeks: You'll continue to receive your full Age Pension, including all supplements.
• After six weeks: The Energy Supplement stops, and the Pension Supplement starts to reduce each fortnight until it reaches the basic rate.
• After 26 weeks: Your Age Pension rate may be further reduced, depending on how long you've lived in Australia between the ages of 16 and pension age.
• Concession cards: Your Pensioner Concession Card is cancelled after six weeks overseas. A new one is only issued when you return and if you're still eligible.

'I had a backlog of mail when I got back, and I discovered my new concession card—it was really confusing,' Lauren recalled.

'There was just no warning. I am worried other people don't know about it.'
'I am just lucky I was with relatives and didn't have to worry about finances as much.'

The government's rationale is to ensure that taxpayer-funded benefits are primarily supporting those who live in Australia.

However, many argued that the rules are outdated and have unfairly penalised seniors who want to travel for health or personal reasons.

'Centrelink told me immigration flags the pensioners leaving the country,' Lauren clarified.

National Seniors Australia CEO Chris Grice pointed out that the government often assumed that anyone travelling overseas could be wealthy.

'You'll find that they're sort of saying, "Oh, hang on, you're out of the country. You don't need electricity,"' MR Grice stated.

'We all know that's not the case. Not everybody's doing a $40,000 scenic river cruise.'

What to do before travelling overseas?

• Notify Centrelink: Always let Services Australia know if you're planning an overseas trip for more than six weeks. It should give seniors clear information about how their payments will be affected.
• Check your eligibility: Visit the Services Australia website or speak to a Centrelink officer to understand how payments will be impacted.
• Plan your finances: For seniors relying on pensions for regular bills and direct debits, make sure you have a backup plan.
• Keep an eye on your mail: If you're away for more than six weeks, expect your concession card to be cancelled and reissued when you return.

Lauren's story should be a timely reminder for all seniors, especially when they have plans to enjoy destinations outside The Land Down Under.

Key Takeaways

• Age Pension recipients who travel overseas for more than six weeks would have their payments reduced, with greater deductions the longer they remain away.
• Pensioners have to notify Services Australia if they intend to travel overseas for longer than six weeks, as concession cards could be cancelled and replaced when they return and remain eligible.
• Many pensioners are unaware of these deductions and the potential impact on their finances.
• Services Australia encouraged senior Aussies with future travel plans to check requirements and contact Centrelink before travelling.

Have you ever been caught out by the Age Pension portability rules during one of your travels? Is this system fair, or is it time for a change in the rules? Share your thoughts about Lauren's experience and the future of travelling in the comments section below.

 

[chezna]

Its everyone’s responsibility to notify centrelink of any changes to our circumstances! Going overseas is a change in our circumstances therefore we need to notify Xentrelink before we leave as they have direct access to immigration.. .

 

[chezna]

I went overseas, I did not pay for the whole trip, I would never have afford to do that. I was unaware of this rule at the time so my whole pension, cards and everything got canceled.
I was not away for more than the 2-3 weeks. However, I was told because I left the country I was not entitled to anything (sorry at the time I was on Newstart) but I should still be entitled to have a holiday. It’s still not expectable though as we still have expenses. I also thought that the time out of the country while on an age pension that I am now, was 12wks out of the country before being docked. So this was good information to know so thank you.

Newstart is paid to you to kook for a job not to have a holiday on at taxpayers expense..

 

[Suzanne rose]

I went overseas, I did not pay for the whole trip, I would never have afford to do that. I was unaware of this rule at the time so my whole pension, cards and everything got canceled.
I was not away for more than the 2-3 weeks. However, I was told because I left the country I was not entitled to anything (sorry at the time I was on Newstart) but I should still be entitled to have a holiday. It’s still not expectable though as we still have expenses. I also thought that the time out of the country while on an age pension that I am now, was 12wks out of the country before being docked. So this was good information to know so thank you.

Isn't newstart the same as jobseeker. Isn't it paid until you find work ? If it is is, then I agree you shouldn't receive it while you are out if the country and not looking for work

 

[summadale]

I did quite a few trips overseas but always advised Centrelink and I found out I could stay away for 13 weeks. With no loss of pension. Yes I did have my concession card cancelled and received a new one.

 

[quilting]

I think that's disgusting, we all work and pay our taxes all our lives. Then we get penalised when we retire and get the age pension.
But it's OK for all the bloody politicians to spend taxpayers money on all there holidays.
IT BLOODY WELL STINKS

 

[Gerrit H. Schorel-Hlavka]

Sorry for the language but I feel strongly about being penalised for LIVING past retirement age.
The Pollies Super at 3 Million is exempt but yours is not .....HELLO

Our constitution provides that all; taxation must be UNIFORM throughout the Commonwealth of Australia and as such any exclusion of politicians to pay their share is unconstitutional!
Hansard 16-2-1898 Constitution Convention Debates (Official Record of the Debates of the National Australasian Convention)

QUOTE Mr. ISAACS (Victoria).-

In the next sub-section it is provided that all taxation shall be uniform throughout the Commonwealth. An income tax or a property tax raised under any federal law must be uniform "throughout the Commonwealth." That is, in every part of the Commonwealth.

END QUOTE

Hansard 19-4-1897 Constitution Convention Debates (Official Record of the Debates of the National Australasian Convention)

QUOTE
Mr. MCMILLAN: I think the reading of the sub-section is clear.

The reductions may be on a sliding scale, but they must always be uniform.

END QUOTE



And

Hansard 19-4-1897 Constitution Convention Debates (Official Record of the Debates of the National Australasian Convention)

QUOTE

Sir GEORGE TURNER: No. In imposing uniform duties of Customs it should not be necessary for the Federal Parliament to make them commence at a certain amount at once. We have pretty heavy duties in Victoria, and if the uniform tariff largely reduces them at once it may do serious injury to the colony. The Federal Parliament will have power to fix the uniform tariff, and if any reductions made are on a sliding scale great injury will be avoided.

END QUOTE

 

[bille101aus]

I dont nderstand this articul as once I retiredd aged 65 (2013) I whent to Phillipines to live for many years with out any penalties.
John

 

[mylittletibbies]

I went overseas, I did not pay for the whole trip, I would never have afford to do that. I was unaware of this rule at the time so my whole pension, cards and everything got canceled.
I was not away for more than the 2-3 weeks. However, I was told because I left the country I was not entitled to anything (sorry at the time I was on Newstart) but I should still be entitled to have a holiday. It’s still not expectable though as we still have expenses. I also thought that the time out of the country while on an age pension that I am now, was 12wks out of the country before being docked. So this was good information to know so thank you.

When on Newstart or Jobseeker you don't get paid to go on holidays.
You are supposed to be looking for work. That's what the payment is for, and if you are overseas on holidays you're not looking for work.
That's why you weren't paid.
Different rules if you are on a pension where you have no obligation to be looking for work.

 

[elaine41]

These rules are common knowledge. The lady sounds like she knew about the 6 weeks limit so she should have relayed a message to CL with the circumstances of her staying on before the 6 weeks were up.

Not all that common knowledge. I have been on the aged pension for 22 years & have never heard this before.

 

[goatwhisperer]

It is about time those rules were changed. Especially if you are a born and bred Australian. Start writing to the politicians!! Just outrageous!!

 

[Luckyus]

Perhaps its time, we we (continence problems?) started the grey party?

 

[Southmelbswans]

You used to have to tell Centrelink when you were going overseas and the dates and they would tell you immediately if there would be any pension reduction. The Border Force as it now is took over the role of advising Centrelink of who comes and goes regardless as on pension or not. If you booked through a travel agent who may know if you are on a pension or not might advise you to give Centrelink a call or not. But I don't think it is promulgated widely these days

 

[Aussie all the Way]

I went overseas, I did not pay for the whole trip, I would never have afford to do that. I was unaware of this rule at the time so my whole pension, cards and everything got canceled.
I was not away for more than the 2-3 weeks. However, I was told because I left the country I was not entitled to anything (sorry at the time I was on Newstart) but I should still be entitled to have a holiday. It’s still not expectable though as we still have expenses. I also thought that the time out of the country while on an age pension that I am now, was 12wks out of the country before being docked. So this was good information to know so thank you.

Yes that is what I thought it was 12 weeks before deductions started, so I think they have shortened the time out so they can take some money back quicker. We have been on holidays for 12 weeks and not lost a cent, but when we went for 16 weeks we lost part of the supplemental payments.

 

[Aussie all the Way]

You used to have to tell Centrelink when you were going overseas and the dates and they would tell you immediately if there would be any pension reduction. The Border Force as it now is took over the role of advising Centrelink of who comes and goes regardless as on pension or not. If you booked through a travel agent who may know if you are on a pension or not might advise you to give Centrelink a call or not. But I don't think it is promulgated widely these days

You are still suppose to tell Centrelink even though they get informed that you have left the country

 

[Viellarde]

On our 4 trips overseas, we didn't let anyone at Centrelink know. We just went, &, that was that.

I must admit, we weren't gone for looong periods of time. Still, we didn't let any one know.

Immigration did. I let CL know when I went away, was told to call upon my return. I did, and the response was: Yes, you went through Customs on (date) at (time).
I knew the rules, and I followed them.

 

[Viellarde]

I was told (years ago) that bcz am on Disability pension, my entire pension will be cancelled if I attempt to travel overseas for any reason. Now in 70s, I learned last week that I can go away for two weeks without jeopardising my pension. But it costs over $400 just to get a passport now - that is far too costly and WHY is it for 10 years when women change dramatically from one year to the next w hair, makeup, weight, etc?! Over 70 should be Five year passports, not ten yrs!
Labor grabbing cash again.

Will you be too old to travel in 5years?
I prefer to pay for a 10yr passport than have to get another every 5years.

 

[Jefron]

It is an unfortunate situation, but common knowledge, as I thought. I'm on DSP.
You can typically receive a Disability Support Pension for up to 28 days of overseas travel in a 12-month period. This includes multiple trips, and the 28-day limit applies to the total amount of time you're away, not per trip. If you travel for longer than 28 days, your payment will be suspended until your return.

Factors Affecting Overseas Travel and DSP:

• Temporary Travel:
  Your travel must be temporary for you to receive DSP while overseas.
  
  
• • Extended Stay (over 28 days):
    If you plan to stay overseas for more than 28 days, you'll need to notify Services Australia at least six weeks before departure.
    
  • Exceptions:
    You may be eligible to continue receiving DSP for longer than 28 days if you are:
    
    • • Studying outside Australia as part of a full-time Australian course.
        
      • Severely disabled and depend on a family member who is temporarily posted outside Australia for work.
        
      • A deemed "long-term" resident in an agreement country with Australia.
        
  • Returning to Australia:
    If you return to Australia within 13 weeks, your payment can be restored and continue.
    
  • Notification:
    You are advised to inform Services Australia about your travel plans at least six weeks before you leave.
    
  • Supporting Documents:
    Services Australia may request supporting documents to verify your travel plans and eligibility for continued payments.