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James Coyle
James has over 35 years experience in financial services with particular expertise in two of the key components of retirement finance - Superannuation and the Age Pension. He is passionate about providing the guidance and support that can help older Australians enjoy their best possible retirement. He lives in regional Victoria surrounded by dogs and chooks.
If it’s so darn easy to get the age pension why after being on a age-carer pension it was taken from me after my husband died in December. I was not notified this would happen and reapplied on the 26th April I reapplied by phone. I have also been to the Parkes and Dubbo centres and tried ringing but all I have got in this time is 4 SMS messages saying they are working on my claim. The last one also said when a decision is made. WHAT decision. I am intitled to a age pension, I can’t live on nothing, this is ridiculous. Fix it now.
Hi Lyn
We understand your frustration – it is also shared by many more Australians. That’s why we have built our service to make it easier for older Australians to get their Age Pension entitlements.
From our experience it is currently taking Centrelink 4-5 months to assess Age Pension applications. By my calculations you should expect to hear something back from them in August/September.
I am still waiting to hear back about the pension
Its is no 5 months and 2 weeks and still waiting to hear
I am still working to pay the bills and taking my pay slips
up to centreline for them to photo copy them and put them on my record
what a waste of thine this is
Still not have heard back
started my claim on 5th MAY
That is a long wait William. It’s really important to regularly check in with Centrelink to make sure your application hasn’t been placed on hold for any reason (or no reason). Be patient and persistent, it will pay off!
Hi – I am working full-time and have reached my retirement age. Can I apply for the pension first without advising my firm that I am leaving and until I know that I have the pension? Or do I have to give notice, then apply? If it takes months to get the pension I am reluctant to resign until I know when pension payments start
thank you
Hi Carolyn, thank you for seeking clarity! You can apply for the Age Pension whilst still employed but be aware you Centrelink will take your income from employment into consideration. They will not assess you based on your intent to resign. Therefore you may not be eligible to apply whilst still employed as you may not be under the income threshold. CLICK HERE to use our free, online calculator to see if you can apply whilst still employed.