Last Thursday, we shared the news of Centrelink’s September 20 indexation. It was confirmed that recipients of the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Carer Payments can expect an increase of $32.70 a fortnight for single pensioners and $49.40 for couples ($24.70 each) to go into effect later this month.

The increase comes as part of the twice-yearly indexation and provides an additional $2.34 per day.

Missed the news? You can catch up on the full article here.

But what did SDC members have to say? We’ve compiled a selection of comments below.

Of the increase, member @TessM had this to say: ‘Not really that much for the Age Pension, but better than nothing, I guess.’

What will you spend your $2.34 per day on? Image Credit: Shutterstock

Member @Rob44 said: ‘Wow. Amazing! The utter generosity! Just over $26,000 per year for the single bloke's pension! It might even be $27,000 a year! That was the poverty level for a family back in 1989. What are our politicians getting, just as allowances? Well, the Mayor of Melbourne City gets a pittance of a wee bit more than $250,000pa, and even our long-suffering Melbourne City Councillors get $57,000pa. Thank goodness the LNP Premier of Tasmania has just had a pay rise of $161 000 pa.; otherwise, the poor dear might starve and not be able to afford heating.’

‘The generosity of Australia to its elderly is stunningly amazing!’ they continued.

Member @Glo72 said: ‘I am glad that I will get a rise. Every dollar is a help.’

Member @ChristyMahon said: ‘This is bull****. 3L of milk at local supermarkets in this 2799 region is now $6.50 (price increase since last pension increase: 50%), and diesel is now $2.10 (increase since last pension increase: 10.5%. I could go on to demonstrate the CPI figures used by the government are purposefully fraudulent. The actual CPI increase since March is in the region of 40% for staple commodities. The actual pension increase: 3%.’

Member @PeeBo added: ‘What a bl**** joke this interval payment is. It is a joke that the single and couple payments are so vastly different when both have the exact costs for electricity, rates, mortgage, and transport. The only things that come slightly cheaper for a single are clothes and food.’

‘The cost of living has risen so much that this rise is lost on the first shop of the year, not to mention the increase in rates and electricity. I am a single pensioner and have been monitoring costs. My food bill is about the same every fortnight, with no luxuries, just the bare basics. Just before COVID, the shopping bill averaged $5.70 an item; last week, an almost identical shop was $8.67 per item. And it is still increasing.’

‘I don't have the ability because of health to go and earn extra. If I could, I would. The job I did have was when Centrelink had the robot fiasco, and I had to pay back just $ 8,000 initially. They said it was $24000 until I questioned, but I still got stung for an overpayment, which should have been about maybe $600, an error on my part on declaring.’

‘The government does not care about pensioners and just needs to be seen doing, while they hand out millions of extras on badly organised infrastructure contracts and handing out handouts to overseas countries whose people hardly see the benefit of such charity.’

Member @Janmf said: ‘I’m very grateful for the rise, but the way that everything has risen, it won’t make much difference. My friend and I were saying that this is the first time that we have ever had to really watch what we spend on food. The little chocolate or bikkie no longer exists. She is on JobSeeker and is very lucky to own her own home. I’m still paying a mortgage, but we are both better off than having to rent.’

Member ‘IAN3005’ said: ‘An insult to the intelligence... enough for 1/2 tank of petrol. We need an increase of $628.29 a month as rent has increased by that much. Give me a break.’

As member@granmacub aptly put, the increase ‘barely scratches the surface for 99% of pensioners’.

The reactions to this announcement highlight the complex and varied experiences of those who rely on the age pension to make ends meet.

So how do you feel? What is $2.34 per day going to do for you? We want to hear from you, so have your say in the comments below.

We hope that by amplifying the voices and perspectives of Centrelink pensioners and SDC members, we can foster greater empathy, understanding, and advocacy. The more our voices are heard, the greater the chance of change.

If this situation has brought up unpleasant emotions, please consider contacting one of the many mental health hotlines listed here for support. And remember, you’re never alone.

 

[Dizzy]

Last Thursday, we shared the news of Centrelink’s September 20 indexation. It was confirmed that recipients of the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Carer Payments can expect an increase of $32.70 a fortnight for single pensioners and $49.40 for couples ($24.70 each) to go into effect later this month.

The increase comes as part of the twice-yearly indexation and provides an additional $2.34 per day.

Missed the news? You can catch up on the full article here.

But what did SDC members have to say? We’ve compiled a selection of comments below.

Of the increase, member @TessM had this to say: ‘Not really that much for the Age Pension, but better than nothing, I guess.’

View attachment 29616

What will you spend your $2.34 per day on? Image Credit: Shutterstock

Member @Rob44 said: ‘Wow. Amazing! The utter generosity! Just over $26,000 per year for the single bloke's pension! It might even be $27,000 a year! That was the poverty level for a family back in 1989. What are our politicians getting, just as allowances? Well, the Mayor of Melbourne City gets a pittance of a wee bit more than $250,000pa, and even our long-suffering Melbourne City Councillors get $57,000pa. Thank goodness the LNP Premier of Tasmania has just had a pay rise of $161 000 pa.; otherwise, the poor dear might starve and not be able to afford heating.’

‘The generosity of Australia to its elderly is stunningly amazing!’ they continued.

Member @Glo72 said: ‘I am glad that I will get a rise. Every dollar is a help.’

Member @ChristyMahon said: ‘This is bull****. 3L of milk at local supermarkets in this 2799 region is now $6.50 (price increase since last pension increase: 50%), and diesel is now $2.10 (increase since last pension increase: 10.5%. I could go on to demonstrate the CPI figures used by the government are purposefully fraudulent. The actual CPI increase since March is in the region of 40% for staple commodities. The actual pension increase: 3%.’

Member @PeeBo added: ‘What a bl**** joke this interval payment is. It is a joke that the single and couple payments are so vastly different when both have the exact costs for electricity, rates, mortgage, and transport. The only things that come slightly cheaper for a single are clothes and food.’

‘The cost of living has risen so much that this rise is lost on the first shop of the year, not to mention the increase in rates and electricity. I am a single pensioner and have been monitoring costs. My food bill is about the same every fortnight, with no luxuries, just the bare basics. Just before COVID, the shopping bill averaged $5.70 an item; last week, an almost identical shop was $8.67 per item. And it is still increasing.’

‘I don't have the ability because of health to go and earn extra. If I could, I would. The job I did have was when Centrelink had the robot fiasco, and I had to pay back just $ 8,000 initially. They said it was $24000 until I questioned, but I still got stung for an overpayment, which should have been about maybe $600, an error on my part on declaring.’

‘The government does not care about pensioners and just needs to be seen doing, while they hand out millions of extras on badly organised infrastructure contracts and handing out handouts to overseas countries whose people hardly see the benefit of such charity.’

Member @Janmf said: ‘I’m very grateful for the rise, but the way that everything has risen, it won’t make much difference. My friend and I were saying that this is the first time that we have ever had to really watch what we spend on food. The little chocolate or bikkie no longer exists. She is on JobSeeker and is very lucky to own her own home. I’m still paying a mortgage, but we are both better off than having to rent.’

Member ‘IAN3005’ said: ‘An insult to the intelligence... enough for 1/2 tank of petrol. We need an increase of $628.29 a month as rent has increased by that much. Give me a break.’

As member@granmacub aptly put, the increase ‘barely scratches the surface for 99% of pensioners’.

The reactions to this announcement highlight the complex and varied experiences of those who rely on the age pension to make ends meet.

So how do you feel? What is $2.34 per day going to do for you? We want to hear from you, so have your say in the comments below.

We hope that by amplifying the voices and perspectives of Centrelink pensioners and SDC members, we can foster greater empathy, understanding, and advocacy. The more our voices are heard, the greater the chance of change.

If this situation has brought up unpleasant emotions, please consider contacting one of the many mental health hotlines listed here for support. And remember, you’re never alone.

Thanks for small mercies. Usually it’s in the form of tax break or rate decrease. Not much good for us who have no super or investments and rent.

 

[cheviegirl34]

Last Thursday, we shared the news of Centrelink’s September 20 indexation. It was confirmed that recipients of the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Carer Payments can expect an increase of $32.70 a fortnight for single pensioners and $49.40 for couples ($24.70 each) to go into effect later this month.

The increase comes as part of the twice-yearly indexation and provides an additional $2.34 per day.

Missed the news? You can catch up on the full article here.

But what did SDC members have to say? We’ve compiled a selection of comments below.

Of the increase, member @TessM had this to say: ‘Not really that much for the Age Pension, but better than nothing, I guess.’

View attachment 29616

What will you spend your $2.34 per day on? Image Credit: Shutterstock

Member @Rob44 said: ‘Wow. Amazing! The utter generosity! Just over $26,000 per year for the single bloke's pension! It might even be $27,000 a year! That was the poverty level for a family back in 1989. What are our politicians getting, just as allowances? Well, the Mayor of Melbourne City gets a pittance of a wee bit more than $250,000pa, and even our long-suffering Melbourne City Councillors get $57,000pa. Thank goodness the LNP Premier of Tasmania has just had a pay rise of $161 000 pa.; otherwise, the poor dear might starve and not be able to afford heating.’

‘The generosity of Australia to its elderly is stunningly amazing!’ they continued.

Member @Glo72 said: ‘I am glad that I will get a rise. Every dollar is a help.’

Member @ChristyMahon said: ‘This is bull****. 3L of milk at local supermarkets in this 2799 region is now $6.50 (price increase since last pension increase: 50%), and diesel is now $2.10 (increase since last pension increase: 10.5%. I could go on to demonstrate the CPI figures used by the government are purposefully fraudulent. The actual CPI increase since March is in the region of 40% for staple commodities. The actual pension increase: 3%.’

Member @PeeBo added: ‘What a bl**** joke this interval payment is. It is a joke that the single and couple payments are so vastly different when both have the exact costs for electricity, rates, mortgage, and transport. The only things that come slightly cheaper for a single are clothes and food.’

‘The cost of living has risen so much that this rise is lost on the first shop of the year, not to mention the increase in rates and electricity. I am a single pensioner and have been monitoring costs. My food bill is about the same every fortnight, with no luxuries, just the bare basics. Just before COVID, the shopping bill averaged $5.70 an item; last week, an almost identical shop was $8.67 per item. And it is still increasing.’

‘I don't have the ability because of health to go and earn extra. If I could, I would. The job I did have was when Centrelink had the robot fiasco, and I had to pay back just $ 8,000 initially. They said it was $24000 until I questioned, but I still got stung for an overpayment, which should have been about maybe $600, an error on my part on declaring.’

‘The government does not care about pensioners and just needs to be seen doing, while they hand out millions of extras on badly organised infrastructure contracts and handing out handouts to overseas countries whose people hardly see the benefit of such charity.’

Member @Janmf said: ‘I’m very grateful for the rise, but the way that everything has risen, it won’t make much difference. My friend and I were saying that this is the first time that we have ever had to really watch what we spend on food. The little chocolate or bikkie no longer exists. She is on JobSeeker and is very lucky to own her own home. I’m still paying a mortgage, but we are both better off than having to rent.’

Member ‘IAN3005’ said: ‘An insult to the intelligence... enough for 1/2 tank of petrol. We need an increase of $628.29 a month as rent has increased by that much. Give me a break.’

As member@granmacub aptly put, the increase ‘barely scratches the surface for 99% of pensioners’.

The reactions to this announcement highlight the complex and varied experiences of those who rely on the age pension to make ends meet.

So how do you feel? What is $2.34 per day going to do for you? We want to hear from you, so have your say in the comments below.

We hope that by amplifying the voices and perspectives of Centrelink pensioners and SDC members, we can foster greater empathy, understanding, and advocacy. The more our voices are heard, the greater the chance of change.

If this situation has brought up unpleasant emotions, please consider contacting one of the many mental health hotlines listed here for support. And remember, you’re never alone.

I think people are awful for what they are saying are saying about the rise. I feel very grateful that here in Australia we are given ANYTHING!!!!! Some countries receive nothing! I thank our country for whatever we receive!!! The only thing I object to is the raising of the age to receive a pension. Some people cannot work beyond 65 it is making it hard for them. I feel blessed for whatever I receive

 

[Cybil24]

Last Thursday, we shared the news of Centrelink’s September 20 indexation. It was confirmed that recipients of the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Carer Payments can expect an increase of $32.70 a fortnight for single pensioners and $49.40 for couples ($24.70 each) to go into effect later this month.

The increase comes as part of the twice-yearly indexation and provides an additional $2.34 per day.

Missed the news? You can catch up on the full article here.

But what did SDC members have to say? We’ve compiled a selection of comments below.

Of the increase, member @TessM had this to say: ‘Not really that much for the Age Pension, but better than nothing, I guess.’

View attachment 29616

What will you spend your $2.34 per day on? Image Credit: Shutterstock

Member @Rob44 said: ‘Wow. Amazing! The utter generosity! Just over $26,000 per year for the single bloke's pension! It might even be $27,000 a year! That was the poverty level for a family back in 1989. What are our politicians getting, just as allowances? Well, the Mayor of Melbourne City gets a pittance of a wee bit more than $250,000pa, and even our long-suffering Melbourne City Councillors get $57,000pa. Thank goodness the LNP Premier of Tasmania has just had a pay rise of $161 000 pa.; otherwise, the poor dear might starve and not be able to afford heating.’

‘The generosity of Australia to its elderly is stunningly amazing!’ they continued.

Member @Glo72 said: ‘I am glad that I will get a rise. Every dollar is a help.’

Member @ChristyMahon said: ‘This is bull****. 3L of milk at local supermarkets in this 2799 region is now $6.50 (price increase since last pension increase: 50%), and diesel is now $2.10 (increase since last pension increase: 10.5%. I could go on to demonstrate the CPI figures used by the government are purposefully fraudulent. The actual CPI increase since March is in the region of 40% for staple commodities. The actual pension increase: 3%.’

Member @PeeBo added: ‘What a bl**** joke this interval payment is. It is a joke that the single and couple payments are so vastly different when both have the exact costs for electricity, rates, mortgage, and transport. The only things that come slightly cheaper for a single are clothes and food.’

‘The cost of living has risen so much that this rise is lost on the first shop of the year, not to mention the increase in rates and electricity. I am a single pensioner and have been monitoring costs. My food bill is about the same every fortnight, with no luxuries, just the bare basics. Just before COVID, the shopping bill averaged $5.70 an item; last week, an almost identical shop was $8.67 per item. And it is still increasing.’

‘I don't have the ability because of health to go and earn extra. If I could, I would. The job I did have was when Centrelink had the robot fiasco, and I had to pay back just $ 8,000 initially. They said it was $24000 until I questioned, but I still got stung for an overpayment, which should have been about maybe $600, an error on my part on declaring.’

‘The government does not care about pensioners and just needs to be seen doing, while they hand out millions of extras on badly organised infrastructure contracts and handing out handouts to overseas countries whose people hardly see the benefit of such charity.’

Member @Janmf said: ‘I’m very grateful for the rise, but the way that everything has risen, it won’t make much difference. My friend and I were saying that this is the first time that we have ever had to really watch what we spend on food. The little chocolate or bikkie no longer exists. She is on JobSeeker and is very lucky to own her own home. I’m still paying a mortgage, but we are both better off than having to rent.’

Member ‘IAN3005’ said: ‘An insult to the intelligence... enough for 1/2 tank of petrol. We need an increase of $628.29 a month as rent has increased by that much. Give me a break.’

As member@granmacub aptly put, the increase ‘barely scratches the surface for 99% of pensioners’.

The reactions to this announcement highlight the complex and varied experiences of those who rely on the age pension to make ends meet.

So how do you feel? What is $2.34 per day going to do for you? We want to hear from you, so have your say in the comments below.

We hope that by amplifying the voices and perspectives of Centrelink pensioners and SDC members, we can foster greater empathy, understanding, and advocacy. The more our voices are heard, the greater the chance of change.

If this situation has brought up unpleasant emotions, please consider contacting one of the many mental health hotlines listed here for support. And remember, you’re never alone.

$2.34 will not get you nothing not milk bread coffee wait and see what goes up

 

[Singomate]

Last Thursday, we shared the news of Centrelink’s September 20 indexation. It was confirmed that recipients of the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Carer Payments can expect an increase of $32.70 a fortnight for single pensioners and $49.40 for couples ($24.70 each) to go into effect later this month.

The increase comes as part of the twice-yearly indexation and provides an additional $2.34 per day.

Missed the news? You can catch up on the full article here.

But what did SDC members have to say? We’ve compiled a selection of comments below.

Of the increase, member @TessM had this to say: ‘Not really that much for the Age Pension, but better than nothing, I guess.’

View attachment 29616

What will you spend your $2.34 per day on? Image Credit: Shutterstock

Member @Rob44 said: ‘Wow. Amazing! The utter generosity! Just over $26,000 per year for the single bloke's pension! It might even be $27,000 a year! That was the poverty level for a family back in 1989. What are our politicians getting, just as allowances? Well, the Mayor of Melbourne City gets a pittance of a wee bit more than $250,000pa, and even our long-suffering Melbourne City Councillors get $57,000pa. Thank goodness the LNP Premier of Tasmania has just had a pay rise of $161 000 pa.; otherwise, the poor dear might starve and not be able to afford heating.’

‘The generosity of Australia to its elderly is stunningly amazing!’ they continued.

Member @Glo72 said: ‘I am glad that I will get a rise. Every dollar is a help.’

Member @ChristyMahon said: ‘This is bull****. 3L of milk at local supermarkets in this 2799 region is now $6.50 (price increase since last pension increase: 50%), and diesel is now $2.10 (increase since last pension increase: 10.5%. I could go on to demonstrate the CPI figures used by the government are purposefully fraudulent. The actual CPI increase since March is in the region of 40% for staple commodities. The actual pension increase: 3%.’

Member @PeeBo added: ‘What a bl**** joke this interval payment is. It is a joke that the single and couple payments are so vastly different when both have the exact costs for electricity, rates, mortgage, and transport. The only things that come slightly cheaper for a single are clothes and food.’

‘The cost of living has risen so much that this rise is lost on the first shop of the year, not to mention the increase in rates and electricity. I am a single pensioner and have been monitoring costs. My food bill is about the same every fortnight, with no luxuries, just the bare basics. Just before COVID, the shopping bill averaged $5.70 an item; last week, an almost identical shop was $8.67 per item. And it is still increasing.’

‘I don't have the ability because of health to go and earn extra. If I could, I would. The job I did have was when Centrelink had the robot fiasco, and I had to pay back just $ 8,000 initially. They said it was $24000 until I questioned, but I still got stung for an overpayment, which should have been about maybe $600, an error on my part on declaring.’

‘The government does not care about pensioners and just needs to be seen doing, while they hand out millions of extras on badly organised infrastructure contracts and handing out handouts to overseas countries whose people hardly see the benefit of such charity.’

Member @Janmf said: ‘I’m very grateful for the rise, but the way that everything has risen, it won’t make much difference. My friend and I were saying that this is the first time that we have ever had to really watch what we spend on food. The little chocolate or bikkie no longer exists. She is on JobSeeker and is very lucky to own her own home. I’m still paying a mortgage, but we are both better off than having to rent.’

Member ‘IAN3005’ said: ‘An insult to the intelligence... enough for 1/2 tank of petrol. We need an increase of $628.29 a month as rent has increased by that much. Give me a break.’

As member@granmacub aptly put, the increase ‘barely scratches the surface for 99% of pensioners’.

The reactions to this announcement highlight the complex and varied experiences of those who rely on the age pension to make ends meet.

So how do you feel? What is $2.34 per day going to do for you? We want to hear from you, so have your say in the comments below.

We hope that by amplifying the voices and perspectives of Centrelink pensioners and SDC members, we can foster greater empathy, understanding, and advocacy. The more our voices are heard, the greater the chance of change.

If this situation has brought up unpleasant emotions, please consider contacting one of the many mental health hotlines listed here for support. And remember, you’re never alone.

As many people have pointed out it's an absolute disgrace and a lovely thank you for being a law abiding hard working taxpayer what has happened to the Australian government both sides of house greedy pompous self centered mongrels.

 

[Col@45]

Last Thursday, we shared the news of Centrelink’s September 20 indexation. It was confirmed that recipients of the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Carer Payments can expect an increase of $32.70 a fortnight for single pensioners and $49.40 for couples ($24.70 each) to go into effect later this month.

The increase comes as part of the twice-yearly indexation and provides an additional $2.34 per day.

Missed the news? You can catch up on the full article here.

But what did SDC members have to say? We’ve compiled a selection of comments below.

Of the increase, member @TessM had this to say: ‘Not really that much for the Age Pension, but better than nothing, I guess.’

View attachment 29616

What will you spend your $2.34 per day on? Image Credit: Shutterstock

Member @Rob44 said: ‘Wow. Amazing! The utter generosity! Just over $26,000 per year for the single bloke's pension! It might even be $27,000 a year! That was the poverty level for a family back in 1989. What are our politicians getting, just as allowances? Well, the Mayor of Melbourne City gets a pittance of a wee bit more than $250,000pa, and even our long-suffering Melbourne City Councillors get $57,000pa. Thank goodness the LNP Premier of Tasmania has just had a pay rise of $161 000 pa.; otherwise, the poor dear might starve and not be able to afford heating.’

‘The generosity of Australia to its elderly is stunningly amazing!’ they continued.

Member @Glo72 said: ‘I am glad that I will get a rise. Every dollar is a help.’

Member @ChristyMahon said: ‘This is bull****. 3L of milk at local supermarkets in this 2799 region is now $6.50 (price increase since last pension increase: 50%), and diesel is now $2.10 (increase since last pension increase: 10.5%. I could go on to demonstrate the CPI figures used by the government are purposefully fraudulent. The actual CPI increase since March is in the region of 40% for staple commodities. The actual pension increase: 3%.’

Member @PeeBo added: ‘What a bl**** joke this interval payment is. It is a joke that the single and couple payments are so vastly different when both have the exact costs for electricity, rates, mortgage, and transport. The only things that come slightly cheaper for a single are clothes and food.’

‘The cost of living has risen so much that this rise is lost on the first shop of the year, not to mention the increase in rates and electricity. I am a single pensioner and have been monitoring costs. My food bill is about the same every fortnight, with no luxuries, just the bare basics. Just before COVID, the shopping bill averaged $5.70 an item; last week, an almost identical shop was $8.67 per item. And it is still increasing.’

‘I don't have the ability because of health to go and earn extra. If I could, I would. The job I did have was when Centrelink had the robot fiasco, and I had to pay back just $ 8,000 initially. They said it was $24000 until I questioned, but I still got stung for an overpayment, which should have been about maybe $600, an error on my part on declaring.’

‘The government does not care about pensioners and just needs to be seen doing, while they hand out millions of extras on badly organised infrastructure contracts and handing out handouts to overseas countries whose people hardly see the benefit of such charity.’

Member @Janmf said: ‘I’m very grateful for the rise, but the way that everything has risen, it won’t make much difference. My friend and I were saying that this is the first time that we have ever had to really watch what we spend on food. The little chocolate or bikkie no longer exists. She is on JobSeeker and is very lucky to own her own home. I’m still paying a mortgage, but we are both better off than having to rent.’

Member ‘IAN3005’ said: ‘An insult to the intelligence... enough for 1/2 tank of petrol. We need an increase of $628.29 a month as rent has increased by that much. Give me a break.’

As member@granmacub aptly put, the increase ‘barely scratches the surface for 99% of pensioners’.

The reactions to this announcement highlight the complex and varied experiences of those who rely on the age pension to make ends meet.

So how do you feel? What is $2.34 per day going to do for you? We want to hear from you, so have your say in the comments below.

We hope that by amplifying the voices and perspectives of Centrelink pensioners and SDC members, we can foster greater empathy, understanding, and advocacy. The more our voices are heard, the greater the chance of change.

If this situation has brought up unpleasant emotions, please consider contacting one of the many mental health hotlines listed here for support. And remember, you’re never alone.

Amazing how some people continually whinge about the pension they receive....a lot of counties pay nothing to their elderly, they have to work till they die!
We should be very thankful to receive any money. It's just a matter of budgeting and not wasting money on stuff that we don't need.
How many people still seem to find the money to gamble and buy alcohol etc. Lots of things we can do without as we age.

 

[Singomate]

Amazing how some people continually whinge about the pension they receive....a lot of counties pay nothing to their elderly, they have to work till they die!
We should be very thankful to receive any money. It's just a matter of budgeting and not wasting money on stuff that we don't need.
How many people still seem to find the money to gamble and buy alcohol etc. Lots of things we can do without as we age.

Yes agree we can go bin scavenge.

 

[Ian Crane-Luff]

I think people are awful for what they are saying are saying about the rise. I feel very grateful that here in Australia we are given ANYTHING!!!!! Some countries receive nothing! I thank our country for whatever we receive!!! The only thing I object to is the raising of the age to receive a pension. Some people cannot work beyond 65 it is making it hard for them. I feel blessed for whatever I receive

You are given nothing, you paid for this over many years in taxation a%of your tax was meant for your pension

 

[Nugget]

Last Thursday, we shared the news of Centrelink’s September 20 indexation. It was confirmed that recipients of the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Carer Payments can expect an increase of $32.70 a fortnight for single pensioners and $49.40 for couples ($24.70 each) to go into effect later this month.

The increase comes as part of the twice-yearly indexation and provides an additional $2.34 per day.

Missed the news? You can catch up on the full article here.

But what did SDC members have to say? We’ve compiled a selection of comments below.

Of the increase, member @TessM had this to say: ‘Not really that much for the Age Pension, but better than nothing, I guess.’

View attachment 29616

What will you spend your $2.34 per day on? Image Credit: Shutterstock

Member @Rob44 said: ‘Wow. Amazing! The utter generosity! Just over $26,000 per year for the single bloke's pension! It might even be $27,000 a year! That was the poverty level for a family back in 1989. What are our politicians getting, just as allowances? Well, the Mayor of Melbourne City gets a pittance of a wee bit more than $250,000pa, and even our long-suffering Melbourne City Councillors get $57,000pa. Thank goodness the LNP Premier of Tasmania has just had a pay rise of $161 000 pa.; otherwise, the poor dear might starve and not be able to afford heating.’

‘The generosity of Australia to its elderly is stunningly amazing!’ they continued.

Member @Glo72 said: ‘I am glad that I will get a rise. Every dollar is a help.’

Member @ChristyMahon said: ‘This is bull****. 3L of milk at local supermarkets in this 2799 region is now $6.50 (price increase since last pension increase: 50%), and diesel is now $2.10 (increase since last pension increase: 10.5%. I could go on to demonstrate the CPI figures used by the government are purposefully fraudulent. The actual CPI increase since March is in the region of 40% for staple commodities. The actual pension increase: 3%.’

Member @PeeBo added: ‘What a bl**** joke this interval payment is. It is a joke that the single and couple payments are so vastly different when both have the exact costs for electricity, rates, mortgage, and transport. The only things that come slightly cheaper for a single are clothes and food.’

‘The cost of living has risen so much that this rise is lost on the first shop of the year, not to mention the increase in rates and electricity. I am a single pensioner and have been monitoring costs. My food bill is about the same every fortnight, with no luxuries, just the bare basics. Just before COVID, the shopping bill averaged $5.70 an item; last week, an almost identical shop was $8.67 per item. And it is still increasing.’

‘I don't have the ability because of health to go and earn extra. If I could, I would. The job I did have was when Centrelink had the robot fiasco, and I had to pay back just $ 8,000 initially. They said it was $24000 until I questioned, but I still got stung for an overpayment, which should have been about maybe $600, an error on my part on declaring.’

‘The government does not care about pensioners and just needs to be seen doing, while they hand out millions of extras on badly organised infrastructure contracts and handing out handouts to overseas countries whose people hardly see the benefit of such charity.’

Member @Janmf said: ‘I’m very grateful for the rise, but the way that everything has risen, it won’t make much difference. My friend and I were saying that this is the first time that we have ever had to really watch what we spend on food. The little chocolate or bikkie no longer exists. She is on JobSeeker and is very lucky to own her own home. I’m still paying a mortgage, but we are both better off than having to rent.’

Member ‘IAN3005’ said: ‘An insult to the intelligence... enough for 1/2 tank of petrol. We need an increase of $628.29 a month as rent has increased by that much. Give me a break.’

As member@granmacub aptly put, the increase ‘barely scratches the surface for 99% of pensioners’.

The reactions to this announcement highlight the complex and varied experiences of those who rely on the age pension to make ends meet.

So how do you feel? What is $2.34 per day going to do for you? We want to hear from you, so have your say in the comments below.

We hope that by amplifying the voices and perspectives of Centrelink pensioners and SDC members, we can foster greater empathy, understanding, and advocacy. The more our voices are heard, the greater the chance of change.

If this situation has brought up unpleasant emotions, please consider contacting one of the many mental health hotlines listed here for support. And remember, you’re never alone.

My wife and I have just had an increase in rent from 410 dollars per week to 520 dollars per week, and with the increase in food costs this pension increase won't go far. I suppose you have to be thankful for small Mercy's

 

[Fugly]

I don't want to sound ungrateful, every dollar helps a little I guess, but what planet do our politicians come from????? They don't care, because they are fine, but sometimes I wish that something would happen to make them actually experience what they are doing to us. They would NEVER be able to survive on a pensioner's income, not to mention the jobseekers, that's another joke!

 

[Skeeta22]

Last Thursday, we shared the news of Centrelink’s September 20 indexation. It was confirmed that recipients of the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Carer Payments can expect an increase of $32.70 a fortnight for single pensioners and $49.40 for couples ($24.70 each) to go into effect later this month.

The increase comes as part of the twice-yearly indexation and provides an additional $2.34 per day.

Missed the news? You can catch up on the full article here.

But what did SDC members have to say? We’ve compiled a selection of comments below.

Of the increase, member @TessM had this to say: ‘Not really that much for the Age Pension, but better than nothing, I guess.’

View attachment 29616

What will you spend your $2.34 per day on? Image Credit: Shutterstock

Member @Rob44 said: ‘Wow. Amazing! The utter generosity! Just over $26,000 per year for the single bloke's pension! It might even be $27,000 a year! That was the poverty level for a family back in 1989. What are our politicians getting, just as allowances? Well, the Mayor of Melbourne City gets a pittance of a wee bit more than $250,000pa, and even our long-suffering Melbourne City Councillors get $57,000pa. Thank goodness the LNP Premier of Tasmania has just had a pay rise of $161 000 pa.; otherwise, the poor dear might starve and not be able to afford heating.’

‘The generosity of Australia to its elderly is stunningly amazing!’ they continued.

Member @Glo72 said: ‘I am glad that I will get a rise. Every dollar is a help.’

Member @ChristyMahon said: ‘This is bull****. 3L of milk at local supermarkets in this 2799 region is now $6.50 (price increase since last pension increase: 50%), and diesel is now $2.10 (increase since last pension increase: 10.5%. I could go on to demonstrate the CPI figures used by the government are purposefully fraudulent. The actual CPI increase since March is in the region of 40% for staple commodities. The actual pension increase: 3%.’

Member @PeeBo added: ‘What a bl**** joke this interval payment is. It is a joke that the single and couple payments are so vastly different when both have the exact costs for electricity, rates, mortgage, and transport. The only things that come slightly cheaper for a single are clothes and food.’

‘The cost of living has risen so much that this rise is lost on the first shop of the year, not to mention the increase in rates and electricity. I am a single pensioner and have been monitoring costs. My food bill is about the same every fortnight, with no luxuries, just the bare basics. Just before COVID, the shopping bill averaged $5.70 an item; last week, an almost identical shop was $8.67 per item. And it is still increasing.’

‘I don't have the ability because of health to go and earn extra. If I could, I would. The job I did have was when Centrelink had the robot fiasco, and I had to pay back just $ 8,000 initially. They said it was $24000 until I questioned, but I still got stung for an overpayment, which should have been about maybe $600, an error on my part on declaring.’

‘The government does not care about pensioners and just needs to be seen doing, while they hand out millions of extras on badly organised infrastructure contracts and handing out handouts to overseas countries whose people hardly see the benefit of such charity.’

Member @Janmf said: ‘I’m very grateful for the rise, but the way that everything has risen, it won’t make much difference. My friend and I were saying that this is the first time that we have ever had to really watch what we spend on food. The little chocolate or bikkie no longer exists. She is on JobSeeker and is very lucky to own her own home. I’m still paying a mortgage, but we are both better off than having to rent.’

Member ‘IAN3005’ said: ‘An insult to the intelligence... enough for 1/2 tank of petrol. We need an increase of $628.29 a month as rent has increased by that much. Give me a break.’

As member@granmacub aptly put, the increase ‘barely scratches the surface for 99% of pensioners’.

The reactions to this announcement highlight the complex and varied experiences of those who rely on the age pension to make ends meet.

So how do you feel? What is $2.34 per day going to do for you? We want to hear from you, so have your say in the comments below.

We hope that by amplifying the voices and perspectives of Centrelink pensioners and SDC members, we can foster greater empathy, understanding, and advocacy. The more our voices are heard, the greater the chance of change.

If this situation has brought up unpleasant emotions, please consider contacting one of the many mental health hotlines listed here for support. And remember, you’re never alone.

The Aged Pension increase is an absolute joke and the Goverrnment should be totally ashamed. I have just received my council rates notice for 2023/4 and they have increased by $200 a quarter as a widowed pensioner I really don't' know how I'm going to be able to pay this increase and I'm terrified thinking of my electricity bill that is due. Living below the poverty line? Most definitely. Bills have to be paid first and IF there's anything left I can eat. Christmas presents for the family? Not this year!

 

[Monty 1]

Age pensioners should send all their utility bills council rates etc to the government and ask how on earth are we expected to pay this with the lousy paltry pension you pay us. No doubt, pensioners have to dip into their savings to make ends meet, accounts are fast depleting. Therefore, I pay all these greedy utility late, and I mean late - only when the final notice arrives in the mail. Age pensioners have done their bit for the country, we have paid taxes over many years to build the infrastructure the younger ones enjoy today. We should not be treated like this. The government must increase the age pension to allow us to live above the poverty line.

 

[Laurence 54]

It's an insult we work all our lives and this is how we're treated....My rent just went up $75 a week and I have to pay it no choice as there is no where to go so this raise means zilch to me and probably many others.... We need either larger rent assistance or a decent pension rise it's so hard I have nothing left after $320 a week rent and bills absolutely nothing till my next Pay.

 

[Littleboy8]

I think people are awful for what they are saying are saying about the rise. I feel very grateful that here in Australia we are given ANYTHING!!!!! Some countries receive nothing! I thank our country for whatever we receive!!! The only thing I object to is the raising of the age to receive a pension. Some people cannot work beyond 65 it is making it hard for them. I feel blessed for whatever I receive

I totally agree with you and I turned 65 on 1st July this year.

 

[Littleboy8]

My wife and I have just had an increase in rent from 410 dollars per week to 520 dollars per week, and with the increase in food costs this pension increase won't go far. I suppose you have to be thankful for small Mercy's

Blimey I thought $25.00 was hefty a week now I’m definately not complaining. $110.00 a week that’s a bit rough

 

[Shazza13]

I won’t see a cent of that as they’ll put my Rent up by that so it’s no joy for me.

 

[MaizieMolly]

$2.34 will not get you nothing not milk bread coffee wait and see what goes up

It is a total insult to think that $2.34 per day increase in the pension would make anyone grateful, This would not pay for in anyway the huge increases of necessities, that we are entitled to surely, let alone dare think of a small luxury. Yet , our politicians are able to receive huge increases without ever applying for them. Many people cannot afford to even have their heating on. Total disgrace after working and paying taxes all their lives.

 

[Littleboy8]

It's an insult we work all our lives and this is how we're treated....My rent just went up $75 a week and I have to pay it no choice as there is no where to go so this raise means zilch to me and probably many others.... We need either larger rent assistance or a decent pension rise it's so hard I have nothing left after $320 a week rent and bills absolutely nothing till my next Pay.

Rent assisstance is going up too

 

[kimbonichols]

My wife and I have just had an increase in rent from 410 dollars per week to 520 dollars per week, and with the increase in food costs this pension increase won't go far. I suppose you have to be thankful for small Mercy's

That's a massive increase. They don't care. If you can't pay it and end up homeless, some other sucker will pay it. Disgusting. Love the way all the politicians deemed to give themselves a huge pay rise the other week. Why don't we put that to a referendum?

 

[Argie]

My wife and I have just had an increase in rent from 410 dollars per week to 520 dollars per week, and with the increase in food costs this pension increase won't go far. I suppose you have to be thankful for small Mercy's

Yes but thats means you pay only $260 each ....I live alone and pay $400 Yyou try and do that and eat as well