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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.
Does Australia have agreement with thePhilIppines ?
Hi Keith, thanks for reaching out for further clarity regarding residency eligibility. Australia does not currently have a Social Security Agreement with The Philippines.
If you or anyone else reading would like to talk about the residency eligibility criteria in more detail we do offer 30min consultations at a cost of $75. We can clarify how Centrelink will assess you specifically and help guide you on any related matters that might impact your Age Pension. If you wish to proceed please CLICK HERE to book the best suitable time available.
I do not believe I qualify for any pension due to assets unless I am considered a non home owner. I share a home with my family and I legally own 40% of the property. Am I considered a home owner or is there a proportion applied due to my reduced ownership.
Hi Chris, if your name is on the title then you will be assessed as a home owner (even if the ownership is split with others and not 100%). Regarding your overall eligibility we do offer 30min consultations at a cost of $75. We can clarify how Centrelink will assess you specifically and help guide you on any related matters like if the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card is an option for you. If you wish to proceed please CLICK HERE to book the best suitable time available.
I want to know why we’re paying a pension for people to live overseas, dual citizen or not
It’s not fair on our tax payers
Julie: Rather unkind comment. Some people when they get old want to return to their country of birth. Why should they not be allowed to receive their pensions to which they are entitled? As well, plenty of people receive an overseas pension although they have not lived or worked in their home countries since way back when. Should they refuse these so they can get a full Oz pension?
I guess Julie, its because most of these people have been paying taxes all their working lives in Australia. When they retire they should be able to receive and spend their pension anywhere they like. I would much prefer people getting a pension that have earned it (in Australia) rather than pay pensions to immigrants the minute they lob on our shores. No offense to the immigrants its not their fault.
I agree wholeheartedly! I cant even get $1, I worked f o r 54 years in Oz…paid taxes raised 3 kids…and I kn oiw people who haver NEVER worked in Oz get an overseas pension AS WELL as an Oz pension! Its BS!
You mean they get less of an Australian pension as the income from the overseas pension kicks in. So its better that way as it saves the Oz taxpayer more money and they are less of a burden on Medicare right?
Its not fair to pay politicians and all the infrastructure around them. All they do is sign papers. Absolutely useless just like councils. Unfair is negative gearing and other taxpayer funded incentives that drive up house prices ti even more unaffordable levels. Unfair to the taxpayer is the billions subsidizing the industries of the politicians friends in big industry.
At least those who have worked all their lives are entitled to live anywhere they like because they cannot afford to live in Australia as everything here is ridiculously expensive and why is that?
They are less of a burden on the resources of Australia especially Medicare. So it makes more economic sense and humane to allow them to live out the rest of their lives elsewhere. They earned it unlike the politicians you vote for.
I guess that because I worked for nearly 60 years , paid taxes . Obeyed the law and tried to be a good citizen raised 7 children , putting 4 of them through University, I am more than annoyed that at 75 yo my old age pension will be affected if I do go overseas for a time.
Thank you for the article. In the chart it states “maximum basic rate” and “basic pension supplement rate”. Can you clarify what these mean please? Give an example if possible?
So if you having been living overseas for a few years and return for a holiday for example six weeks does your pension increase?
Do you need to inform Centrelink of your return and then your departure back overseas?
The point is where is the fairness to long term Australians , my Grandfather was a Pioneer in Australia Farming, my father was born in Australia and also a Pioneer in the Farming Industry , i was born here and also a Farmer . I applied and was approved for Pension here ,but then had it immediatly cancelled because i went overseas .. It is cheaper for the Govt if eligible penshioners live overseas and not claiming medical etc ..
As a New Zealand citizen living in Australia I’m on a SCV which is issued at the border. I’ve worked and lived half my life in NZ and half in Australia, I’m entitled to the age pension paid half by Australia and half by NZ. But unlike everyone else on age pension mine will stop if I chose to live out my retirement outside Australia. This is because of legislation which says the SCV ends the moment you leave Australia and begins again the moment we enter so in effect while overseas we have no visa. What this does is removes my opportunities to experience retirement overseas something I’d planned for years. This has been taken away from us. It’s discriminatory and wrong in an all inclusive society as other than how the visa works there is absolutely no reason why we shouldn’t be able to spend our age pension the same as everyone else
Hi Brenton, thank you for articulating your struggle so well! It sounds like you have done some homework but I must say that the scenario you have explained is not how we believe the Australian Age Pension to work when you wish to live overseas. You may wish to call Centrelink’s International Services Team on 131 673 (Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm AEDT) because if you CLICK HERE and scroll down to the heading “If you leave Australia for more than 26 weeks” you will see that your pension may be reduced depending on how many years you have been an Australian Citizen prior to leaving but it does not instantly cancel.
I don’t understand the 2-year residency rule. If I have been residing overseas for several years, should I return to Australia 2 years prior to my eligibility for the aged pension? For example, if I reach pension age at 67 years of age should I return when I reach the age of 65 years or do I return when I reach the age of 67?
Hi Graeme. As a rule of thumb you need to be living in Australia when you apply for the Age Pension; be a permanent resident,; have lived in Australia for at least 10 years; five of which were continuous. The two year residency rule impacts you if you are currently living overseas, return to Australia, and then apply, you will have to remain in the country for two years else your Age Pension will be cancelled
I have been overseas this year four times with no trip being longer than three weeks. Does the 6 week rule apply to the total of several shorter holidays overseas or just when a trip consists of more than 6 weeks of consecutive days.