The pension and allowance increases set to help millions

Millions of social security payments will rise from Monday – including pensions, JobSeeker and rent assistance. SEE THE LIST

Anthony KeanePersonal finance writer

@keanemoney

2 min read

September 15, 2021 - 3:45PM

The Australian Business Network

Seniors are set for a bigger-than-usual pension rise. Picture: iStock

National

Don't miss out on the headlines from National. Followed categories will be added to My News.

Almost 5.3 million Australians will next week share in higher social security benefits across a long list of pensions, allowances and support payments.

From next week, the maximum single age pension rate will rise by $14.80 to $967.50 a fortnight, while age pensioner couples will receive an extra $22.40 combined, taking their fortnightly payment to $1458.60.

JobSeeker and other allowances will increase by up to $11.90 a fortnight, and parenting payments and rent assistance are also set to rise.

Pensions and other payments are adjusted twice a year and the coming rise, which takes effect from September 20, is the largest increase since 2014, the government says.

The $1.46 billion annual rise reflects stronger inflation data, which has rebounded after dropping sharply during the early months of the pandemic.

People receiving increased social security payments include 2.58 million on the age pension, 756,000 on a disability support pension, and 977,500 receiving JobSeeker payments.

Social Services Minister Anne Ruston says pensioners will maintain their purchasing power. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

Social Services Minister Anne Ruston said the formula for increasing pensions considered specific cost pressures such as healthcare more than expenses such as childcare.

“We are ensuring pensioners maintain their purchasing power in the economy, which is bouncing back strongly,” she said.

“This change puts money in the pockets of all Australians who rely on our social security system and, in particular, older Australians.

“Since March 2013, the rate for single pensioners has increased by $159.10 a fortnight, while the rate for pensioner couples combined has increased by $239.80 a fortnight.”

The annual pension paid to a single will be $25,155, and for a couple it’s $37,923.

Pensions are rising by 1.6 per cent, while JobSeeker and related payments are linked to the Consumer Price Index and will climb by 1.4 per cent.

Seniors organisation COTA Australia’s chief executive, Ian Yates, praised the way pension rises were indexed to whatever figure was higher among inflation, pensioner living costs and average weekly earnings.

“The increase will be very welcome and it underlines the strength of the pension indexation arrangements,” he said.

Many retirees funded their living costs with a mixture of superannuation and a part pension, Mr Yates said.

“People living just on the pension always do it tough – this is a very modest standard of living,” he said.

“Pensioners who are struggling the most are those in the private rental market, and that has got worse during the pandemic.”