Age Pension Rates Australia 2026
The full age pension rates Australia table for 2026: maximum fortnightly payments, the income-test free areas and tapers, and the assets-test limits for singles and couples — every threshold that decides your payment, in one place.
Last updated: August 2026 · Services Australia · current from 20 March 2026
Rates change every 20 March and 20 September — we will email you when the new ones land. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
How to Read These Tables
You get the lower of what the income test and the assets test produce. Below both free areas you receive the full maximum rate; above them the pension tapers down to zero at the cut-off. Your home is exempt from the assets test, which is why non-homeowners have higher asset limits.
Maximum Rates (per fortnight)
| Component | Single | Couple each | Couple combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum basic rate | $1,100.30 | $829.40 | $1,658.80 |
| Pension Supplement | $86.50 | $65.20 | $130.40 |
| Energy Supplement | $14.10 | $10.60 | $21.20 |
| Total | $1,200.90 | $905.20 | $1,810.40 |
Got the rates? Two things worth checking next
→ Your estimated pension — enter your income and assets and see your own fortnightly rate. → Ready to claim? — the myGov steps, the documents you need, and when to lodge.Income Test (standard rates)
| Income per fortnight | Single | Couple (combined) |
|---|---|---|
| Free area (no reduction) | Up to $226 | Up to $396 |
| Reduction above the free area | 50c per $1 over | 50c per $1 over (25c each) |
| Cut-off (pension = $0) | $2,627.80 | $4,016.80 combined |
Financial assets (savings, shares, super) are “deemed” to earn income, which counts here. Transitional-rate pensioners have different tapers (40c single, 20c couple).
Assets Test
| Situation | Full pension up to | Pension cuts out at |
|---|---|---|
| Single, homeowner | $333,000 | $733,500 |
| Single, non-homeowner | $600,000 | $1,000,500 |
| Couple, homeowner (combined) | $499,000 | $1,102,500 |
| Couple, non-homeowner (combined) | $766,000 | $1,369,500 |
Above the full-pension limit the pension reduces by $3 per fortnight for every $1,000 of assets over the limit. Source: Services Australia — Age Pension income and assets tests (verified August 2026).
How the Two Tests Work Together
The income test and the assets test are not added together — they are run separately and the one that produces the lower pension wins. In practice, people with modest savings but a paid-off home are usually assessed under the income test, while those with large investment or superannuation balances are more often caught by the assets test. It pays to know which test is setting your rate, because the two respond very differently: selling an asset might lift an assets-tested pensioner’s payment but do nothing for an income-tested one.
Two rules soften the numbers above. Deeming assumes your financial assets earn a set rate of return, so the actual interest on your savings doesn’t matter for the income test — only the deemed amount. The Work Bonus lets pensioners of Age Pension age set aside a slice of employment income before the income test applies, so part-time work reduces the pension less than the raw 50-cent taper suggests. Both can meaningfully change your result, which is why the calculator gives an estimate and Services Australia gives the exact figure once your details are assessed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the single Age Pension rate for 2026?
$1,200.90 a fortnight, made up of the $1,100.30 basic rate plus the $86.50 pension supplement and $14.10 energy supplement. Couples get $905.20 each.
How much can I earn before my pension reduces?
A single person can earn $226 a fortnight before the income test bites; a couple $396 combined. Above that the pension drops 50 cents per dollar (25 cents each for couples).
How much in assets can I have?
A single homeowner keeps the full pension up to $333,000 of assessable assets and any pension at all up to $733,500; the limits are higher for non-homeowners and couples. Your home is not counted.
When do these figures change?
The rates and income thresholds are indexed every 20 March and 20 September; the assets limits are also reviewed in July. This page reflects the figures current from 20 March 2026.
Also in Australia:
📋 Rates verified — Official source: Services Australia — Age Pension rates · Income test · Assets test
⚠️ This is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. KnowMyGovt is an independent service with no affiliation with or endorsement by Services Australia, Centrelink or the Australian Government, and is not responsible for decisions you make based on it.
