Fix Pension Poverty
This campaign aims to improve the standard of living for older Australians reliant on the Age Pension.
The issue
The Age Pension doesn’t provide enough for older Australians.
What we're calling for
An independent pension tribunal, increased rent assistance, dental care for pensioners, a dedicated Pensioner Concession Card Plus (PCC+) and letting pensioners work are some of our key policy priorities.
The benefits
These policies will improve living standards for older Australians who are reliant on the Age Pension.
Increase the maximum rate of Commonwealth Rent Assistance
Increasing Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) rates in Australia can will alleviate housing poverty for older people most at risk of poverty. Ideally, the Independent Age Pension Tribunal should determine the CRA rates.
Create a Seniors Dental Benefit Scheme to provide basic dental care
A Seniors Dental Benefits Scheme would provide $500 per year to improve access to dental care for pensioners with limited means and those in living in residential aged care.
Let pensioners work in the care sector
National Seniors is calling for care sector workers to receive an exemption from the pension income test to allow them to keep their pension if they continue to work in later life.
Create a targeted Pensioner Concession Card Plus (PCC+)
With an estimated 23.7% of pensioners living in poverty, the federal government should create a targeted Pensioner Concession Card to provide additional support to those most in need.
The Adequacy of the Age Pension in Australia: An assessment of pensioner living standards
This report examines the adequacy of the Age Pension both qualitatively, through focus groups and town meetings, and quantitatively, through analysis of social survey data.
15% increase to Commonwealth Rent Assistance
A 15% increase to the maximum rate of CRA was announced in the 2023 Federal Budget, which is long overdue. This increase will begin from September 2023 and will go some way to assist renters with rising housing costs.
$30 per week increase to the Age Pension rate
We fought hard and won a historic one-off increase of $30 per week to the maximum Age Pension rate in 2009.
Join National Seniors Australia today and receive discounts on everyday essentials and more
National Seniors Australia members have access to a range of benefits and services – including discounts on Travel, Health and Life Insurance.
As a member, save with discounts, expand your social circle through our branches, receive a yearly subscription to Our Generation digital magazine, and access our Financial Information Consultant by phone.
For only $49.50, anyone can become a member and it only takes minutes to join.
Donate
National Seniors is the leading not-for-profit organisation fighting for a fair go for older Australians.
We rely on people like you to donate so we can continue to tackle issues such as age discrimination, accessible housing, pension poverty, health costs, aged care, improve retirement income and provide more home care places so that older Australians can live safely and make ends meet.
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Subscribe to our free Money Matters newsletter for news and information you can use to help protect yourself financially.