Increase in age pension age

The Government is introducing these changes as part of the Secure and Sustainable Pension reforms.

The qualifying age for Age Pension for both men and women will be increased by 6 months every 2 years starting from 1 July 2017. At 1 July 2023, the qualifying age will reach 67.

Frequently asked questions

Born	Women eligible for Age Pension at age	Men eligible for Age Pension at age
Before 1 July 1935	60	65
From 1 July 1935 to 31 December 1936	60½	65
From 1 January 1937 to 30 June 1938	61	65
From 1 July 1938 to 31 December 1939	61½	65
From 1 January 1940 to 30 June 1941	62	65
From 1 July 1941 to 31 December 1942	62½	65
From 1 January 1943 to 30 June 1944	63	65
From 1 July 1944 to 31 December 1945	63½	65
From 1 January 1946 to 30 June 1947	64	65
From 1 July 1947 to 31 December 1948	64½	65
From 1 January 1949 to 30 June 1952	65	65
From 1 July 1952 to 31 December 1953	65½	65½
From 1 January 1954 to 30 June 1955	66	66
From 1 July 1955 to 31 December 1956	66½	66½
From 1 January 1957	67	67

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Which customer group(s) will be affected by this Budget measure? Are they new or existing customers?

This change does not affect existing Age Pension customers and does not apply to people born before 1 July 1952.

The increased age pension age will apply to those transferring to or claiming Age Pension who were born after 1 July 1952.

The eligibility age for some other payments is also reliant on the age pension age and will consequently be increased. For example, customers lose eligibility for Newstart Allowance and Sickness Allowance when they reach age pension age. As age pension age increases, the age at which people lose eligibility for Newstart Allowance and Sickness Allowance will also increase.

The qualifying age for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card is age pension age, consequently this age will also increase in line with the change.

The qualifying age for Department of Veterans' Affairs Service Pension will not be changing.

Will there be changes to a customer’s obligations or any reporting changes?

No, there will be no changes to customer obligations or reporting requirements.

Is it a new measure that will affect existing customers?

This measure will not affect people who have already reached the qualifying age for Age Pension.

Customers receiving working age payments may remain on these payments for a longer period, providing they continue to be eligible until they reach the increased qualifying age for Age Pension.

Why does the change start in 2017?

Deferring the increase in age pension age until 2017 means the increase in age pension age for women from 60 to 65 will be fully phased in. It also gives those who are affected time to consider adjustments to their retirement plans.