On Monday, we reported that more than 4.7 million Australians will receive a boost in their fortnightly payments starting March 20 to keep up with the increasing cost of living.

Single pensioners, disability pensioners and carers will receive an extra $37.50 each fortnight, and couples will receive an additional $56.40 per fortnight. This boost brings payments to $1,064 and $1,604, respectively.

The increase comes as part of the twice-yearly indexation and provides an additional, or should we say, a mere $2.68 per day.

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

While the news of an increase is always positive, it also sparked a range of emotions among pensioners and SDC members, with some expressing gratitude, others anger, and some even fear. In this article, we'll share some of the comments and reactions from the community about the recent pension increase. Because, at the end of the day, will an extra $18.75 per week make any difference at all?

The news prompted mixed reactions. Image Credit: Shutterstock

The responses were varied and, understandably, emotionally charged. So what did our SDC members have to say? Find out below:

Member @Franko kicked us off with some wry humour: ‘A whole $37 a fortnight between my wife and I. Gosh, we’d better not spend it all at once!’

We hear you, member @Franko.

Please note other members came forward to advise that the increase for couples is $56.40 per fortnight. However, the sentiment still rings true.

Member @Ricci made a point that many could relate to: ‘Whilst I don't want to come over as a grouch and I really do appreciate any extra in my payments just how far do they think an extra $18.75 a week will go? Do they live in the real world? Have they seen how much the grocery bill has gone up, not to mention power bills, insurance and fuel? How people on unemployment manage is beyond me. ’

In fact, on March 7th, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) delivered its 10th-consecutive rate rise, leading to an 11-year high of 3.6 per cent.

Not only that but petrol is regularly over $2 per litre, and energy prices are soaring.

Amid the gratitude for the small increase, struggles remained. Just ask member @Camsam, who wrote: ‘Grateful for the increase as a single pensioner. It will not even cover the extra $600 in electricity cost increases since last May. So already eaten up in increased cost of living pressure. Still not going to get a holiday anytime soon!’

And for many, there was justified outrage and concern.

Member @Lynjw said: ‘The increase is pathetic. Hardly helps at all. We work and pay taxes all our lives and the government treats pensioners like 3rd class citizens.’

Member @Stina: ‘Simply we can't afford another increase, and I shudder to think what is going to happen to us.’

It’s clear the livelihood of Australians is at stake.

While there are discussions of the pension increasing at a faster rate than wages, the pension is by no means adequate. Some are shining light on the indexation system as being inherently flawed.

Regarding indexation, member @Robb44 offered this interesting insight:

‘So it is not the generosity of our well-heeled politicians seeking to improve pensioners' living standards?’

‘I gather that Australia's official poverty line for a family of two plus a couple of kids is somewhere in the $50,000-mark. I suggest that an Old Aged Pension of $37000-$38000 a year for a couple, means-tested, is inadequate especially if the pensioners are renting or still paying a mortgage (yes, some are).’

This was not the only astute observation regarding indexation.

Member @oilsfromoz explained: ‘There is a problem with this indexation process. The pensions (etc.) are increased to bring them up to the current cost of living. However, the cost of living and other impositions have been increasing since the last rise in benefits.’

‘So, there have been six months of additional costs to the "beneficiaries", and the new rates of pension and benefits don't cover these, just bring them up to cover the immediate situation. In the meantime, pensioners and others have had to dip into savings, go into debt to continue to live, and that ain't good enough.’

With the current system, it seems we will always be trailing behind.

And member @Lizzylou perfectly captured the feelings of so many: ‘I do know a pension is a right, not a privilege. We have all earned what is our due, and we also shouldn't have to be made to feel like we are begging to be able to live decently later in life.’

And that’s what this primarily comes down to, isn’t it? The right to live our senior years without financial worry or stress. After all, there has been a lifetime of hard work leading up to this point.

Before I go, I do want to shed some light on the positivity of some members. It’s true, we should be grateful even for the slight increase, but we also hear those of you who are struggling immensely.

Below are some comments from members who found the silver lining in the news:

Member @Marj53: ‘I am appreciative of any extra I get. I am also so glad I own my little unit. I don't know how people manage that rent. ’

Member @Janeldennis: ‘Be grateful, there is always someone worse off. ’

Member @chrissietodd: ‘Certainly not very much, but being on a pension we all know how every little bit helps!’

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? Outraged? Really, what is $2.68 per day going to do for you? We want to hear from you, so have your say in the comments below. We've also crafted a poll where you can vote on how much you think the fortnightly pension should be. After all, those receiving the pension are in the best position to judge what is and isn’t sufficient. You can vote here.

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.

 

[Pat T]

I appreciate any little rise, but as someone else said, Department of Housing not only increases the rent but calculates the rent on the energy supplement as well. I recently asked for a rent review and got an increase in rent alhtough I no longer had any super left and was not earning income from it. I really don't think they should be able to calculate rent on the energy supplement as well but they do. I have asked for them to look at it again but really dont' expect to hear an answer from them. The little bit extra we get a fortnight from the increase might by a can of cat food for my cat but won't go far towards the energy bill and phone bills, sadly.

That’s outrageous. Although one can be sure that before they hand it out that the government has first worked out how they can get it back .

 

[ElizaKaye]

On Monday, we reported that more than 4.7 million Australians will receive a boost in their fortnightly payments starting March 20 to keep up with the increasing cost of living.

Single pensioners, disability pensioners and carers will receive an extra $37.50 each fortnight, and couples will receive an additional $56.40 per fortnight. This boost brings payments to $1,064 and $1,604, respectively.

The increase comes as part of the twice-yearly indexation and provides an additional, or should we say, a mere $2.68 per day.

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

While the news of an increase is always positive, it also sparked a range of emotions among pensioners and SDC members, with some expressing gratitude, others anger, and some even fear. In this article, we'll share some of the comments and reactions from the community about the recent pension increase. Because, at the end of the day, will an extra $18.75 per week make any difference at all?

View attachment 15124

The news prompted mixed reactions. Image Credit: Shutterstock

The responses were varied and, understandably, emotionally charged. So what did our SDC members have to say? Find out below:

Member @Franko kicked us off with some wry humour: ‘A whole $37 a fortnight between my wife and I. Gosh, we’d better not spend it all at once!’

We hear you, member @Franko.

Please note other members came forward to advise that the increase for couples is $56.40 per fortnight. However, the sentiment still rings true.

Member @Ricci made a point that many could relate to: ‘Whilst I don't want to come over as a grouch and I really do appreciate any extra in my payments just how far do they think an extra $18.75 a week will go? Do they live in the real world? Have they seen how much the grocery bill has gone up, not to mention power bills, insurance and fuel? How people on unemployment manage is beyond me. ’

In fact, on March 7th, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) delivered its 10th-consecutive rate rise, leading to an 11-year high of 3.6 per cent.

Not only that but petrol is regularly over $2 per litre, and energy prices are soaring.

Amid the gratitude for the small increase, struggles remained. Just ask member @Camsam, who wrote: ‘Grateful for the increase as a single pensioner. It will not even cover the extra $600 in electricity cost increases since last May. So already eaten up in increased cost of living pressure. Still not going to get a holiday anytime soon!’

And for many, there was justified outrage and concern.

Member @Lynjw said: ‘The increase is pathetic. Hardly helps at all. We work and pay taxes all our lives and the government treats pensioners like 3rd class citizens.’

Member @Stina: ‘Simply we can't afford another increase, and I shudder to think what is going to happen to us.’

It’s clear the livelihood of Australians is at stake.

While there are discussions of the pension increasing at a faster rate than wages, the pension is by no means adequate. Some are shining light on the indexation system as being inherently flawed.

Regarding indexation, member @Robb44 offered this interesting insight:

‘So it is not the generosity of our well-heeled politicians seeking to improve pensioners' living standards?’

‘I gather that Australia's official poverty line for a family of two plus a couple of kids is somewhere in the $50,000-mark. I suggest that an Old Aged Pension of $37000-$38000 a year for a couple, means-tested, is inadequate especially if the pensioners are renting or still paying a mortgage (yes, some are).’

This was not the only astute observation regarding indexation.

Member @oilsfromoz explained: ‘There is a problem with this indexation process. The pensions (etc.) are increased to bring them up to the current cost of living. However, the cost of living and other impositions have been increasing since the last rise in benefits.’

‘So, there have been six months of additional costs to the "beneficiaries", and the new rates of pension and benefits don't cover these, just bring them up to cover the immediate situation. In the meantime, pensioners and others have had to dip into savings, go into debt to continue to live, and that ain't good enough.’

With the current system, it seems we will always be trailing behind.

And member @Lizzylou perfectly captured the feelings of so many: ‘I do know a pension is a right, not a privilege. We have all earned what is our due, and we also shouldn't have to be made to feel like we are begging to be able to live decently later in life.’

And that’s what this primarily comes down to, isn’t it? The right to live our senior years without financial worry or stress. After all, there has been a lifetime of hard work leading up to this point.

Before I go, I do want to shed some light on the positivity of some members. It’s true, we should be grateful even for the slight increase, but we also hear those of you who are struggling immensely.

Below are some comments from members who found the silver lining in the news:

Member @Marj53: ‘I am appreciative of any extra I get. I am also so glad I own my little unit. I don't know how people manage that rent. ’

Member @Janeldennis: ‘Be grateful, there is always someone worse off. ’

Member @chrissietodd: ‘Certainly not very much, but being on a pension we all know how every little bit helps!’

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? Outraged? Really, what is $2.68 per day going to do for you? We want to hear from you, so have your say in the comments below. We've also crafted a poll where you can vote on how much you think the fortnightly pension should be. After all, those receiving the pension are in the best position to judge what is and isn’t sufficient. You can vote here.

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 government are allowing pensioners who are able to work to earn more money without penalty. However, the people who are unable to work are not allowed more money without penalty. When we get a bit more interest with thesavings rate rises, our pension is reduced. If we want to save up for a (used) car, or even if we need medical operations to pay the gap, our pensions are reduced so there is no way we can get out of the poverty bog.