The Age Pension and Retiring Overseas
As we mention in the chapter introduction, if your main source of income in retirement is the Australian age pension, and you don't have access to substantial other assets, or family overseas, then we don't believe retirement overseas should be considered unless you have guaranteed access to good quality healthcare in the location in which you retire. If one good thing has come out of the Covid epidemic it is that access to health care in your country of residency has come into retiree focus, when it was often ignored even by those most vulnerable.
The focus of this site is self-funded retirees, but nevertheless we think it's important to outline some of the issues associated with obtaining the age pension - full or partial - while resident overseas.
Firstly, in very broad terms, in order to be eligible for the age pension you need to be resident in Australia at the date on which you first apply for the pension, or in a country with which Australia has an International Social Security Agreement (ISS) . If you reside outside of Australia or the countries with which Australia has an ISS then you will need to return to Australia to claim the pension and Centrelink will require any potential claimant to be able to demonstrate a clear intention to remain permanently in Australia. This is an increasingly complex area and we encourage you to contact Centrelink to clarify your position, and also to read through the reference below in advance of moving overseas :
Unfortunately, we know of several situations where Australians have retired overseas, in their early 60s, on the incorrect assumption that they would be eligible for an Australian pension at retirement age. Because of inadequate planning, they have placed themselves in very difficult personal and financial situations.
Secondly, the amount of any Age pension paid overseas may be impacted by your Australian Working Life Residence (AWLR) or years in Australia between the ages of 16 and Age Pension age, and the specific provisions of the ISS, if applicable in your situation. If you are outside Australia for more than 6 weeks you will be paid at an "outside Australia rate"; your Pension Supplement will reduce to the basic rate and your Energy Supplement will cease. Note that the income and assets test will continue to apply, regardless of your place of residency.
If you would like to arrange professional advice in relation to the above matters, please complete the Inquiry form below providing details and you will be contacted accordingly. You will receive a fee quotation in advance of any advice or services being provided.
Please note prior to making any Inquiry: Financial regulations regarding the provision of specific advice mean that it is impossible for us to provide assistance unless it is provided as part of paid professional advice. If your circumstances are not complex and don't require paid professional advice you should direct any queries in relation to the Age pension directly to Centrelink. We reserve the right in this area not to respond to Inquiries that don't meet the above requirements - as we receive many inquiries that choose to ignore the comments above or focus on a disagreement with Government policies and issues with which we cannot meaningfully assist. |