What is the government Age Pension?
The Age Pension is a regular fortnightly income, paid by the Australian Government, designed to support the basic living needs of eligible older Australians.
How can the government Age Pension help me?
Retiring with less super than you need can be challenging – but the Age Pension can help reduce the financial gap so you can retire with a higher level of confidence. The Age Pension can help provide a reliable and consistent source of income. It can be used as a primary source of income or as a welcome boost to help your super go further, for longer.
Even if you’re not eligible for the Age Pension on the day you retire, you may become eligible as you draw down your super balance, so it’s a good idea to consider it as part of your long-term retirement planning.
Can I get the government Age Pension
To get the Age Pension, you’ll need to be 67 years or older. You’ll also need to meet other eligibility criteria such as residency requirements, an income test, and an assets test.
Age:
You must be at least 67 to be eligible for the Age Pension. You can get your application in 13 weeks earlier.
Residency:
You generally need to have been an Australian resident for at least 10 years in total, with no break in your residency for at least 5 years.
Asset Test:
Services Australia will also assess all your assets, including any property, super-based pensions, or belongings you own in full.
Income test:
Services Australia will assess you and your partner’s income from all sources, including savings, investments, and superannuation.
You may be eligible for a full Age Pension payment, or a part payment, depending on your income and assets.
Even if you aren't eligible for the Age Pension, there are other government benefits available that may help you stretch your retirement income further.
Top tip: You can submit your Age Pension application up to 13 weeks before your 67th birthday.
Age Pension calculator
Calculating how much you’ll get isn’t always straightforward. That’s why we are working with Retirement Essentials, to help you feel confident you’re getting all the entitlements you’re eligible to receive.
Visit the Retirement Essentials website where you can access their Age Pension eligibility calculator at no cost. You will be asked to create an account, including an email address, so you can receive a personalised report.
Try the calculator
Retirement Essentials is a private company and offers a range of services, for a fee. These include help completing your application for the Age Pension as well as other advisory services. As a Mercer Super member, you can also receive a 10% discount* on selected Retirement Essentials services.
Take a few minutes to check your eligibility
Mercer Super advice options
As a Mercer Super member, you have access to a range of advice options, including limited advice about your super at no additional cost. This does not include advice on the government Age Pension. For formal comprehensive advice on the Age Pension you can access Beyond Super financial advice, which is a fee-based service offered by Mercer Financial Advice (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 76 153 168 293, AFSL 411766.
Additional resources
Download our Age Pension fact sheets to decide if you’re eligible and learn how to apply.
Read next:
When can I retire?
You can retire from work at any time, but you might want to consider some important milestones.
Where will the money come from?
Australia’s retirement income system includes three ‘pillars’ – super, the Age Pension and private savings.
How much super will I need?
You may need to budget for 20 years or more of retirement. How much you may need depends on your choices.
Prepared by Mercer Outsourcing (Australia) Limited (MOAPL), ABN 83 068 908 912, AFSL 411980, as administrator of the Mercer Super Trust ABN 19 905 422 981 (‘Mercer Super’). Mercer Superannuation (Australia) Limited (MSAL) ABN 79 004 717 533, AFSL 235906 is the trustee of Mercer Super. Neither MSAL nor MOAPL endorse, guarantee or assume any responsibility for the quality, reliability, or accuracy of the services provided by Retirement Essentials or its affiliates. Any reliance on the services provided by Retirement Essentials and its affiliates is at your own risk. Retirement Essentials Pty Ltd ABN 35 615 383 232 is a corporate authorised representative of SuperEd Pty Ltd ABN 88 118 480 907 AFSL 468859. Refer to the Retirement Essentials website for further information at retirementessentials.com.au
Any advice provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any advice we recommend you obtain your own financial advice and consider the Product Disclosure Statement available at mercersuper.com.au. The product’s Target Market Determination setting out the class of people for whom the product may be suitable can be found at mercersuper.com.au/tmd.
Mercer Financial Advisers are authorised representatives of Mercer Financial Advice (Australia) Pty Ltd (MFAAPL) ABN 76 153 168 293, AFSL 411766. The trustee has appointed MFAAPL to provide financial advice services to members of the Mercer Super Trust.
MERCER' is an Australian-registered trademark of Mercer (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 32 005 315 917 © 2025 Mercer. All rights reserved.
*Mercer Super and Retirement Essentials offer terms and conditions
The offer
The offer of a 10% discount on Retirement Essentials services applies to Mercer Super members who hold an open account.
It is made available by Retirement Essentials Pty Ltd ABN 35 615 383 232. All Rights Reserved. Retirement Essentials Pty Ltd is an authorised representative of SuperEd Pty Ltd AFSL 468859, and is solely responsible for the provision and delivery of this offer.
Eligibility
For Mercer Super members to be eligible, they are required to have an open Mercer Super account (super or pension)
The 10% discount is available on the following Retirement Essentials services:
- Age Pension Concierge – Basic, Tier 1 and Tier 2
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card application service
- Keeping Your Pension service
How to redeem
- To redeem the offer online please enter Mercer10 in the Discount code section of the online application form.
- The discount is provided by Retirement Essentials and is entirely their responsibility.
- The final cost of application will be displayed and you will be prompted to accept the final cost and proceed with the application.
- The services provided by Retirement Essentials are separate to the options, features and benefits of your Mercer Super account. The terms and conditions that apply to your Mercer Super account are not affected by the services provided by Retirement Essentials.
- Mercer reserves the right to amend or cancel the offer at any time without notice.
- Retirement Essentials is a third-party provider, unrelated to Mercer and its related parties. Mercer and its related entities do not endorse, guarantee or assume any responsibility for the quality, reliability or accuracy of Retirement Essentials’ services and advice. Mercer does not receive any benefits from making this referral to services offered by Retirement Essentials.