With inflation at an all-time high, it’s Australians living on fixed incomes such as retirees, veterans, and pensioners who are feeling it most.

Luckily, it is said that almost 5 million Australian retirees are due to receive increased welfare and pension payments starting Thursday, as a result of the inflation rate hitting its highest point in decades.

Amanda Rishworth, the Minister for Social Services, said that the increase in payments is the largest in over 30 years for allowances and 12 years for pensions.

She went on to say that the payments are going to 'help all Australians, including veterans,' by easing the cost of living pressures.

Meanwhile, Matt Keogh, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, said that the Labor party is guided by principles that ‘ensure no one is left behind and no one is held back’.

The increase in the payments aims to 'help all Australians, including veterans,' during this time of inflation, according to the Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth. Credit: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman.​

But if you're scratching your head trying to figure out why this is happening, it's not because the government decided to give you a pay raise.

The reason your pension and welfare payments are about to get bigger is because Australian pensions are subject to an automatic recalculation every six months that corresponds to a change in the consumer price index.

In the most recent round of indexation, the service pension, age pension, disability support pension, and carer payment have all increased by $38.90 per fortnight for singles and $58.80 per fortnight for couples.

The maximum pension rate has been raised to $1026.50 a fortnight for singles and $773.80 for each retiree in a pair, for a total of $1547.60 per couple, including the pension supplement and energy supplement.

At the same time, those who receive the minimum Jobseeker payment will receive an increase of $25.70 every fortnight, while those receiving the parenting payment will receive an increase of $35.20 every fortnight.

While the increase is welcome news for those who are struggling to make ends meet, it is only a temporary measure that does not address the underlying problems facing many Australians.

The cost of living is rising faster than wages, and this is putting immense pressure on families and individuals across the country.

Many are forced to choose between essentials like food and rent, and the increase in pension payments will do little to alleviate this financial stress.

What is needed is a long-term solution that addresses the cost-of-living crisis.

What are your thoughts on this? Better yet, will this increase make a significant impact to your budget? Let us know in the comments below!

 

[Self-funded Retiree]

Sadly, self funded no help? If we take more from our funds we are penalised. (Which are dwindling due to inflation and they keep raising tge pension age (me) ) We have also taken on the care of our 15 year old granddaughter nothing to help there not going on family payments

I definitely agree with Wendy. We are in the same situation and we get absolutely no help from the government. Why have we worked so hard to be financially independent when we are never considered in Government handouts? We have the same bills and expenses as everyone else. Yes, we may not be paying rent, but as home owners there are still ongoing expenses such as maintenance that must be paid. Someone else mentioned the cost of visiting a doctor is increasing, we too have to pay that. Even being allowed to access the Health Benefits card would be a small help.

 

[donellefeltham@ gmail.com]

With inflation at an all-time high, it’s Australians living

It’s great to get a rise in pension but beacause I pay 25% of my income in rent I lose a quarter of it and then my doctor whom I have been seeing for over 20 years doesn’t bulk bill anymore the rest will go in doctor fees

You couldn’t be more right and did you know that up until about 10 years ago we didn’t have to pay rent from our supplements. That was until the LNP government stepped in and we got a letter telling us we were going to pay 25% of our supplements in rent. While I am grateful to have my home of 19 years, the supplements that are supposed to help with other things and we should not have to pay an extra $20 a fortnight in rent.
on fixed incomes such as retirees, veterans, and pensioners who are feeling it most.

Luckily, it is said that almost 5 million Australian retirees are due to receive increased welfare and pension payments starting Thursday, as a result of the inflation rate hitting its highest point in decades.

Amanda Rishworth, the Minister for Social Services, said that the increase in payments is the largest in over 30 years for allowances and 12 years for pensions.

She went on to say that the payments are going to 'help all Australians, including veterans,' by easing the cost of living pressures.

Meanwhile, Matt Keogh, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, said that the Labor party is guided by principles that ‘ensure no one is left behind and no one is held back’.

The increase in the payments aims to 'help all Australians, including veterans,' during this time of inflation, according to the Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth. Credit: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman.​

But if you're scratching your head trying to figure out why this is happening, it's not because the government decided to give you a pay raise.

The reason your pension and welfare payments are about to get bigger is because Australian pensions are subject to an automatic recalculation every six months that corresponds to a change in the consumer price index.

In the most recent round of indexation, the service pension, age pension, disability support pension, and carer payment have all increased by $38.90 per fortnight for singles and $58.80 per fortnight for couples.

The maximum pension rate has been raised to $1026.50 a fortnight for singles and $773.80 for each retiree in a pair, for a total of $1547.60 per couple, including the pension supplement and energy supplement.

At the same time, those who receive the minimum Jobseeker payment will receive an increase of $25.70 every fortnight, while those receiving the parenting payment will receive an increase of $35.20 every fortnight.

While the increase is welcome news for those who are struggling to make ends meet, it is only a temporary measure that does not address the underlying problems facing many Australians.

The cost of living is rising faster than wages, and this is putting immense pressure on families and individuals across the country.

Many are forced to choose between essentials like food and rent, and the increase in pension payments will do little to alleviate this financial stress.

What is needed is a long-term solution that addresses the cost-of-living crisis.

What are your thoughts on this? Better yet, will this increase make a significant impact to your budget? Let us know in the comments below!

While the rise will be welcome, anyone living in Government Housing will lose $9.86 in their rent but the thing the. Government could do too help, is reverse the 25% they take from our Supplements. This was bought in by the LNP government about 10 years ago. Before then we only paid rent on our Basic Pension not our Supplements which are supposed to help with Utilities and Medicines etc. While I’m grateful to have my home of 19 years, I still think this cash grab is like giving it in 1 hand and taking it back in the other.

It’s great to get a rise in pension but beacause I pay 25% of my income in rent I lose a quarter of it and then my doctor whom I have been seeing for over 20 years doesn’t bulk bill anymore the rest will go in doctor fees

 

[Jaynius]

I have been shortchanged. Instead of getting $1026.50 I only received $1009.83. Not happy.

It's pro rata from 20th. Not a full fortnight.
I got 998.71 so you've done well.
You should receive the full amount next "pay day".

 

[Andrew]

My wife and I are pensioners in our 70s. We are actually better off now than we have ever been. I started work at 15, and worked for over half a century. Much of that time without any superannuation. Having worked long and hard, have something to show for it. The "secret" retire debt free and have all you need to live comfortably. Even so we are impacted by the rising cost of living,and any increases we get pale to insignificance to those politicians give themselves.

 

[ipswich]

An extra $38 p/f wow.... my private rental went up $60 p/f, some went up a lot more. Fuel rises, food rising and not to forget the price of cigarettes going up (I'm glad I gave up 4 years ago) So where is the little incentive for pensioners? As I stated in a previous article..... 1 step forward, 3 steps backwards.

same happened to me

 

[RTS]

I got $20 rise last week and checked that I'll get the rest next week.

 

[lozat54]

With inflation at an all-time high, it’s Australians living on fixed incomes such as retirees, veterans, and pensioners who are feeling it most.

Luckily, it is said that almost 5 million Australian retirees are due to receive increased welfare and pension payments starting Thursday, as a result of the inflation rate hitting its highest point in decades.

Amanda Rishworth, the Minister for Social Services, said that the increase in payments is the largest in over 30 years for allowances and 12 years for pensions.

She went on to say that the payments are going to 'help all Australians, including veterans,' by easing the cost of living pressures.

Meanwhile, Matt Keogh, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, said that the Labor party is guided by principles that ‘ensure no one is left behind and no one is held back’.

The increase in the payments aims to 'help all Australians, including veterans,' during this time of inflation, according to the Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth. Credit: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman.​

But if you're scratching your head trying to figure out why this is happening, it's not because the government decided to give you a pay raise.

The reason your pension and welfare payments are about to get bigger is because Australian pensions are subject to an automatic recalculation every six months that corresponds to a change in the consumer price index.

In the most recent round of indexation, the service pension, age pension, disability support pension, and carer payment have all increased by $38.90 per fortnight for singles and $58.80 per fortnight for couples.

The maximum pension rate has been raised to $1026.50 a fortnight for singles and $773.80 for each retiree in a pair, for a total of $1547.60 per couple, including the pension supplement and energy supplement.

At the same time, those who receive the minimum Jobseeker payment will receive an increase of $25.70 every fortnight, while those receiving the parenting payment will receive an increase of $35.20 every fortnight.

While the increase is welcome news for those who are struggling to make ends meet, it is only a temporary measure that does not address the underlying problems facing many Australians.

The cost of living is rising faster than wages, and this is putting immense pressure on families and individuals across the country.

Many are forced to choose between essentials like food and rent, and the increase in pension payments will do little to alleviate this financial stress.

What is needed is a long-term solution that addresses the cost-of-living crisis.

What are your thoughts on this? Better yet, will this increase make a significant impact to your budget? Let us know in the comments below!

I guess it helps a little, but in the light of all the increases it’s not much of a help!

 

[Ashmenou]

what september the 20th just gone well we never got it

Remember pensions are paid in areas so the actual increase starts from the 21/9. Most of us would only get a full pay from October

 

[SusannaD]

Any rise in my pension payment is offset by a corresponding rise in my rent. Why the jubilation at a 'payrise'?

 

[Nanna@Goulburn]

My heart goes out to anyone who is a pensioner and has to pay rent or mortgage. I really don’t know how they live with the price of everything going up

 

[dabemu5570]

why not allow pensioners to earn $200 per week without penalty? I can g'tee they will spend it (great for the economy) and great for pensioner health and mental wellbeing and I'm sure the economy can use the injection of cash. ...whats wrong with pensioners earning say up to $20 000 pa, they won't be saving it ,and the economy can sure use it. pensioners can use the cash to possibly stay in their own homes longer and employ people to maintain the property, win win.....maybe that's too easy,...common sense...

 

[Chelann]

With inflation at an all-time high, it’s Australians living on fixed incomes such as retirees, veterans, and pensioners who are feeling it most.

Luckily, it is said that almost 5 million Australian retirees are due to receive increased welfare and pension payments starting Thursday, as a result of the inflation rate hitting its highest point in decades.

Amanda Rishworth, the Minister for Social Services, said that the increase in payments is the largest in over 30 years for allowances and 12 years for pensions.

She went on to say that the payments are going to 'help all Australians, including veterans,' by easing the cost of living pressures.

Meanwhile, Matt Keogh, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, said that the Labor party is guided by principles that ‘ensure no one is left behind and no one is held back’.

The increase in the payments aims to 'help all Australians, including veterans,' during this time of inflation, according to the Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth. Credit: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman.​

But if you're scratching your head trying to figure out why this is happening, it's not because the government decided to give you a pay raise.

The reason your pension and welfare payments are about to get bigger is because Australian pensions are subject to an automatic recalculation every six months that corresponds to a change in the consumer price index.

In the most recent round of indexation, the service pension, age pension, disability support pension, and carer payment have all increased by $38.90 per fortnight for singles and $58.80 per fortnight for couples.

The maximum pension rate has been raised to $1026.50 a fortnight for singles and $773.80 for each retiree in a pair, for a total of $1547.60 per couple, including the pension supplement and energy supplement.

At the same time, those who receive the minimum Jobseeker payment will receive an increase of $25.70 every fortnight, while those receiving the parenting payment will receive an increase of $35.20 every fortnight.

While the increase is welcome news for those who are struggling to make ends meet, it is only a temporary measure that does not address the underlying problems facing many Australians.

The cost of living is rising faster than wages, and this is putting immense pressure on families and individuals across the country.

Many are forced to choose between essentials like food and rent, and the increase in pension payments will do little to alleviate this financial stress.

What is needed is a long-term solution that addresses the cost-of-living crisis.

What are your thoughts on this? Better yet, will this increase make a significant impact to your budget? Let us know in the comments below!

The only problem with pension rise is Dept of housing take 20% for rent rise in public housing so you never get to buy

They give with one hand and take with the other. No better off after housing uped the rent for the 4th time this year

Yes it's discusting what this government does I think it's criminal

 

[Chelann]

The only problem with pension rise is Dept of housing take 20% for rent rise in public housing so you never get to buy

Yes it's discusting what this government does I think it's criminal

 

[Cool Bat]

Doing MY calculations, my increase is $44.70 p/f (Pension and rent assistance). With my rent increase of $60 p/f, I am now less off by $15.30 p/f. This is not including the rises in food, fuel, insurances, utilities etc, so now I have to rearrange my budget to get me by for the fortnight. As I stated, this is MY calculations.

 

[Geoff8]

what september the 20th just gone well we never got it

I actually got my pension rise on the 5th October.

 

[donellefeltham@ gmail.com]

The only problem with pension rise is Dept of housing take 20% for rent rise in public housing so you never get to buy

Yes it's discusting what this government does I think it's criminal

I’m sorry to the bearer of bad news but they actually take 25% of your pension in rent and too add insult to injury, but around 10 years ago they started taking 25% out of Utilities and Pension Supplements. Before this we only ever paid rent on our Basic Pension not our supplements it was bought in by LNP party with the excuse it was needed to go towards maintenance of our home’s and too that I say what maintenance. I know I’ve been waiting 18 months for a new key to back sliding door. Unless it’s extremely urgent you go on the waiting list. Apparently it’s Okay for me not too be able too use my back door to go out to my courtyard. It’s true what they give with 1 hand they take back from the other. It’s disgusting.

 

[Mr John McManus]

I guess it helps a little, but in the light of all the increases it’s not much of a help!

As the o'le saying goes,anything is better than nothing,but i hear you,we definetly need a review of the pension,it's long,long overdue.

 

[Col@45]

What the point the government and everyone else has forgotten the pensioners when it comes to cost of living. Don’t you think it’s ridicules that the governmeant can give parents earning over in excess of $125 to $500k a child care subsidy, when we had kid we paid our own way if we wanted our kids to go to day care or we stayed home with them and organised our own play groups but not theses days todays todays parents believe they deserve a days off for so they can have their me time, to get their nails or catch up with girlfriend for lunch dates. No wonder the government had no funds left for pensioners who have worked most of their lives and when they need support and a decent pension it no where to be found. Cost of living, pensioners aren’t living they are non reality only just keeping their heads above water.

The government shouldn't be paying for child minding....if people can't afford to pay....don't have them! We struggled to pay for child minding ourselves.