The Age Pension & What You’re Entitled To
How the pension really works, what you might be entitled to, and how to claim it — in plain English.
Included in Morning Post membership — $79 a year · Cancel anytime
The pension’s rules are famously murky — and “I have super, so I won’t get anything” is often wrong. Eight lessons demystify the income and assets tests, the extras most people miss, and the claim itself.
It’s for anyone within a decade of pension age — before or after the birthday.
The eight lessons
1How the Age Pension Actually WorksFull pension, part pension, who runs it — and why having super doesn’t rule you out.2The Age Test & Residency TestPension age, the ten-year residency rule, and when you can apply — 13 weeks early.3The Income Test, in Plain EnglishWhat counts as income, deeming explained over a cuppa, and the Work Bonus.4The Assets TestWhat counts, what doesn’t (your home), and how the taper actually works.5Which Test Applies to You?The lower-payment rule, shown through fictional couples — part-pension maths without the maths.6The Extras Most People MissSupplements, concession cards, rent assistance — and the card for those who miss the pension itself.7Applying Without the HeadacheThe documents to gather first, the claim walked through calmly, and your rights if it’s knocked back.8Keeping It & Common TrapsReporting changes, gifting rules, going overseas — and where to get real advice, free.One page of homework per lesson: your key dates, the assets stocktake at garage-sale values, the gather-first checklist, and the change log. Print it, fill it in pencil, keep it with your important papers.
How to get it
Morning Post membership
This class and the other 17 — plus both Morning Post workbooks, all four mysteries, and everything we build next. Covers your household.
Become a member — $79 a yearNo password — we email you a link · Any phone, tablet or computer · Cancel anytime
Pairs well with Superannuation in Plain English and MyGov, Medicare & Centrelink Online.
Questions worth asking
Will it tell me the current pension rates?
Deliberately not — rates change twice a year. It teaches how the system works and points you to the official calculator for today’s numbers, so the class never goes stale.
Is this financial advice?
No — general education only. For your own numbers: Services Australia, the free Financial Information Service, or a licensed adviser.
I have super. Is there any point?
Especially then — retiring the myth that super rules out the pension is lesson 1’s first job.
Morning Post Classes — general education, never personal financial advice. Rules and rates change: check your own situation with Services Australia, the free Financial Information Service, or a licensed adviser. Narration and illustrations are AI-assisted under human editorial review — editorial policy.