As of 20 September, the 3.3 million Australians who qualify for the Age Pension received a welcome increase in their payments. A single pensioner on the maximum rate will now receive an extra $70.83 per fortnight, taking the total payment to $671.90. Couple pensioners will receive an extra $29.93 per fortnight, taking their total payment to $1,013 per fortnight.
Another significant change is that a new allowance called the Seniors Supplement has been introduced to replace previous allowances paid for the costs of GST, utilities, telephone and medicines.
For more details, click on the link below.
http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/individuals/ssp_pension_increase.htmDo these changes affect you or your family members? What do you think of the increase in the payment rates and the introduction of the Seniors Supplement? Do they go far enough?