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Australia’s age pension rises on 20 September 2026

By TrendXDay Editorial Desk
SBS

The pension is set to increase in Australia from 20 September 2026, with the maximum payment for a single recipient rising by $36.80 a fortnight to $1,237.70. The same indexation round also raises some asset-test thresholds, affecting who can receive a full or part payment.

Australia’s age pension rises on 20 September 2026

About 2.7 million people are expected to receive the increase in the upcoming indexation round, according to SBS.

The reported maximum rates, including the pension and energy supplements, are:

  • Single recipients: $1,237.70 a fortnight, an increase of $36.80.
  • Couples combined: $1,866 a fortnight, an increase of $55.60.
  • Couples individually: $933 a fortnight each, according to The Motley Fool Australia.

SBS also reports that there will be upward adjustments for people receiving the Disability Support Pension, although it does not specify the revised amounts.

The figures are maximum rates. The amount a person receives can depend on the relevant eligibility rules, including the income and assets tests.

Asset limits also change with the indexation round

The asset-test thresholds are scheduled to increase on 20 September. A person’s principal home is excluded from the assets test, while assessable assets can include superannuation, shares, bonds, investment properties, cash and household contents, according to The Motley Fool Australia.

For homeowners, the reported thresholds are:

  • Single homeowners: assets below $333,000 may qualify for the full payment. Assets between $333,001 and $745,750 may qualify for a part payment. The upper threshold is up from $733,500.
  • Couple homeowners: assets below $499,000 may qualify for the full payment. Assets between $499,001 and $1,121,000 may qualify for a part payment. The upper threshold is up from $1,102,500.

Renters have higher listed thresholds:

  • Single renters: assets below $600,000 may qualify for the full payment, with part payments available between $600,001 and $1,012,750. The previous upper threshold was $1,000,500.
  • Couple renters: assets below $766,000 may qualify for the full payment, with part payments available between $766,001 and $1,388,000. The previous upper threshold was $1,369,500.

These figures describe the asset test only. Available reporting does not establish what payment a particular person will receive without details of their circumstances and the separate income test.

Who can apply, and what remains unclear

The reported age eligibility is 67 for people born on or after 1 January 1957. The payment is means-tested, rather than being determined by age alone, and applicants do not have to have stopped working to qualify, according to The Motley Fool Australia.

SBS describes the change as the next indexation increase and says it begins on 20 September. The reports agree on the single rate and the combined couple rate, although The Motley Fool Australia presents the couple amount per person while SBS presents it as a combined figure.

The supplied reporting does not provide revised income-test thresholds, detailed rules for every asset category, or individual payment calculations. The latest reported position is that the higher maximum rates and adjusted asset thresholds are due to take effect from 20 September 2026.

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