Are you an Australian approaching retirement and wondering whether you can receive the Age Pension while living overseas?
The answer is yes, in some circumstances — but where you live when you claim can make a significant difference.
Some Australians receive the Age Pension while living abroad, while others may need to return to Australia or live in a country with an international Social Security Agreement before they can claim.
The rules also differ depending on whether you already receive the Age Pension or are planning to apply for the first time.
In this guide, we explain how the rules work, what to consider before moving overseas, and how to avoid making assumptions that could affect your retirement income.
Can you receive the Australian Age Pension while living overseas?
Yes. The Australian Age Pension can be paid to eligible people living overseas, subject to the relevant rules.
However, being eligible to receive the pension overseas is not necessarily the same as being eligible to claim it while living overseas.
Services Australia distinguishes between people who already receive a payment and people who have not yet claimed. It also considers whether the person lives in a country that has a Social Security Agreement with Australia. Read the official guidance from Services Australia.
There are two main situations to consider.
1. You already receive the Age Pension and want to move overseas
If you are already receiving the Age Pension and decide to move overseas, you may continue to receive payments.
However, your payment rate and certain supplementary benefits may change. Your income, assets, Australian residence history and the country you move to can all be relevant.
You should check the rules before leaving Australia rather than assuming your current payment will continue unchanged.
2. You live overseas and want to claim the Age Pension
If you are not yet receiving the Age Pension, the rules can be more restrictive.
Services Australia advises that if you live in a country without a Social Security Agreement with Australia, you generally cannot be granted the Age Pension while living there.
If you live in a country that does have an agreement, you may be able to claim from there, provided you meet the applicable eligibility requirements.
You may also be able to claim after returning to Australia to live.
This distinction is particularly important for Australians who have lived overseas for many years and are approaching Age Pension age.
Do you need to be living in Australia when you apply?
In many cases, yes.
If you are not already receiving the Age Pension, Services Australia recommends claiming before leaving Australia if you are planning to retire overseas.
You can generally lodge an Age Pension claim up to 13 weeks before reaching Age Pension age, provided you meet the relevant claim requirements.
If you are already living overseas, whether you can claim from that country depends on the international rules that apply to your circumstances.
For example, someone living in a country with a Social Security Agreement may be able to claim from there. Someone living in a country without an agreement generally cannot be granted the Australian Age Pension while living there.
Do not assume that you can simply apply online from any country once you turn 67.
Check your circumstances with Services Australia before making relocation plans.
What is Australia's Age Pension age?
The qualifying age for the Australian Age Pension is currently 67.
However, reaching Age Pension age is only one part of the eligibility test.
You must also satisfy the applicable Australian residence requirements and the income and assets tests.
For more information, read our related guide: Living Overseas and the Australian Age Pension: The Complete Guide.
What are the Australian residence requirements?
Generally, you need to have been an Australian resident for at least 10 years in total, including at least five years continuously.
Exceptions can apply, including under certain international Social Security Agreements and in specific personal circumstances.
Your residence history can be particularly important if you have spent many years living overseas.
For example, you may need to establish:
How long you lived in Australia.
Whether your residence was continuous or included long periods overseas.
Whether you were an Australian resident for social security purposes.
Whether an international Social Security Agreement applies.
Whether any special residence rules are relevant to your circumstances.
The exact requirements should be checked against your individual history. Do not assume that Australian citizenship alone guarantees eligibility for the Age Pension.
Can a Social Security Agreement help you claim from overseas?
Potentially, yes.
Australia has Social Security Agreements with a number of countries. These agreements coordinate certain social security entitlements between Australia and the other country.
Depending on the agreement, it may be possible to claim the Australian Age Pension while living in that country. Some agreements can also help people satisfy minimum residence requirements by taking account of qualifying periods under the other country's system.
However, agreements differ. They do not automatically guarantee a pension, and you must still meet the applicable qualification rules.
Before relying on an agreement, check the current list of countries and the specific conditions published by Services Australia.
What if you live in Thailand, Vietnam or the Philippines?
Many Australians consider retiring in South-East Asia because accommodation, food and some everyday expenses may cost less than in Australia.
But the cost of living is only one part of the decision.
Before moving to Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines or another destination, establish whether you can claim the Age Pension from that country or whether you need to claim before leaving Australia.
Do not assume that the same rules apply to every country.
You should also consider how your pension might change after moving, how your overseas assets and income will be assessed, and whether your retirement budget allows for healthcare, insurance, travel and exchange-rate movements.
We will cover individual destinations in separate articles, including:
Age Pension in Thailand.
Age Pension in Vietnam.
Age Pension in the Philippines.
Which countries allow Australians to claim the Age Pension while living overseas?
Will your Age Pension be reduced if you live overseas?
It may be.
If you are eligible to receive the Age Pension overseas, the amount payable can depend on your Australian residence history and other circumstances.
For example, after you have been outside Australia for more than 26 weeks, a proportional payment rule may apply. This can affect people whose Australian residence history between age 16 and Age Pension age is less than 35 years.
Your payment can also be affected by the income and assets tests.
In addition, certain supplementary payments and concessions may stop or change when you move overseas permanently.
This means you should calculate your likely overseas payment rather than relying on the amount you currently receive in Australia.
For more information, read our upcoming article: How Much Does the Age Pension Pay If You Live Overseas?
What if you return to Australia after living overseas?
If you return to Australia to live and are not yet receiving the Age Pension, you may be able to claim immediately, provided you meet the relevant eligibility and residence requirements.
However, there is an important rule for some returning residents.
If you return to Australia to live, start receiving the Age Pension, and then leave Australia again within two years, your payment may stop.
This is particularly important for former Australian residents who plan to return temporarily to establish their pension entitlement before moving overseas again.
Your circumstances should be checked carefully before relying on this approach.
Does overseas income or property affect your Age Pension?
It can.
Living overseas does not automatically exempt your overseas assets or income from the Age Pension assessment.
Depending on your circumstances, relevant financial interests may include:
Overseas bank accounts.
Shares and investments.
Overseas real estate.
Rental income.
Foreign pensions.
Other income-producing assets.
The treatment of a particular asset or income source depends on the applicable Centrelink rules and your circumstances.
If you plan to purchase a property overseas, retain an Australian investment property or receive income from another country, consider how these arrangements could affect your pension before making a commitment.
What should you do before moving overseas?
Before committing to an overseas retirement, work through the following steps.
1. Confirm your eligibility. Check your age, Australian residence history, income and assets.
2. Check whether you can claim from your destination. Find out whether Australia has a Social Security Agreement with the country where you intend to live.
3. Understand the payment rules. Your payment may change when you leave Australia, particularly if you live overseas long term.
4. Review your finances. Include Australian and overseas property, bank accounts, investments, superannuation and income.
5. Prepare a realistic retirement budget. Account for rent, healthcare, insurance, flights, exchange rates and emergency expenses.
6. Confirm the rules before you leave. Contact Services Australia or obtain appropriate professional assistance if your circumstances are complex.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get the Age Pension if I live overseas permanently?
Yes, in some circumstances. People already receiving the Age Pension may continue to receive payments overseas, subject to the relevant rules. People who have not yet claimed need to check whether they can claim from their country of residence.
Can I apply for the Australian Age Pension from overseas?
It depends on where you live. If you live in a country with a Social Security Agreement, you may be able to claim from there. If you live in a country without an agreement, you generally cannot be granted the Age Pension while living there.
Do I have to be an Australian citizen to receive the Age Pension?
Not necessarily. Eligibility depends on the applicable Australian residence and social security rules, not citizenship alone. Visa status and other circumstances can matter.
Can I move overseas as soon as my Age Pension is approved?
You may be able to, but you should check how leaving Australia will affect your payment. The timing of your departure and your residence history can be important.
Will I lose my Age Pension if I live overseas for more than six months?
Not necessarily. Some people continue receiving the Age Pension, but their payment rate may change after 26 weeks outside Australia. The outcome depends on the applicable rules and individual circumstances.
Final thoughts
Receiving the Australian Age Pension while living overseas is possible for many people, but the rules depend on more than age alone.
The key questions are whether you already receive the pension, where you live when you claim, your Australian residence history, whether a Social Security Agreement applies, and how your income and assets affect your entitlement.
If you are planning to retire overseas, it is worth checking these matters before you move.
At Age Pension Services, we help Australians understand their potential Age Pension entitlement and navigate the application process. If you have lived overseas, are planning to move abroad or are returning to Australia for retirement, we can help you understand the questions you need to resolve.
👉 Book a Retirement Planning Consultation to discuss your circumstances.
You can also visit Age Pension Services to learn more about our support.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and is not personal financial, legal or tax advice. Age Pension eligibility and overseas payment rules depend on individual circumstances and may change. Confirm your position with Services Australia before making decisions about claiming or moving overseas.