How to Legally Increase Your Age Pension (Without Doing Anything Risky)
If you’re approaching retirement—or already receiving the Age Pension—you’ve probably wondered:
“Am I getting the maximum amount I’m entitled to?”
The reality is, thousands of Australians are unknowingly missing out on extra pension payments every year—not because they’ve done anything wrong, but because they don’t understand how the system really works.
The good news?
There are completely legal, low-risk strategies that can help increase your Age Pension.
Let’s break them down.
Why Most People Get Less Pension Than They Should
Your Age Pension is calculated based on two tests:
Assets Test
Income Test
Whichever test results in the lower pension amount is what Centrelink uses.
The problem is—many retirees:
Hold assets in the “wrong” place
Structure finances inefficiently
Don’t realise small changes can have a big impact
Even a modest improvement could mean thousands of dollars extra per year.
Strategy 1: Reposition Assets (Not Hide Them)
This isn’t about hiding money—it’s about understanding how different assets are assessed.
For example:
Money in super (if under pension age) may not be counted
Different investments are treated differently under deeming rules
Some assets reduce your pension more than others
A small shift in where your money sits can sometimes increase your fortnightly payments immediately.
👉 Not Sure If You’re Missing Out?
If you’re unsure whether your current setup is costing you pension income, this is exactly what we help with.
We can review your situation and show you—clearly—what you could be receiving instead.
👉 Book a Free Age Pension Assessment
Strategy 2: Use Funeral Bonds and Exempt Assets
Certain assets are exempt from the assets test, meaning they don’t reduce your pension.
Examples include:
Funeral bonds (within limits)
Your principal home
Some personal belongings
Used correctly, these can:
Reduce assessable assets
Increase your pension
Still keep your money accessible for its intended purpose
Strategy 3: Spend Strategically (Yes, Really)
It might sound counterintuitive, but how you spend your money matters.
If you have excess savings above thresholds, using funds for:
Home improvements
Medical needs
Lifestyle upgrades
…can sometimes increase your pension while improving your quality of life.
Strategy 4: Structure Super Correctly
Superannuation is one of the most powerful (and misunderstood) tools in retirement.
Depending on your age and situation:
Super can be assessed differently between couples
Timing withdrawals matters
Pension-phase income streams are treated differently
Done right, this can significantly impact your entitlement.
Strategy 5: Understand Gifting Rules (Avoid Costly Mistakes)
Many retirees want to help their kids—but doing it incorrectly can backfire.
Centrelink allows:
Up to $10,000 per year
Maximum $30,000 over 5 years
Anything above that is still counted under the assets test.
This is where people accidentally:
Reduce their pension
Lock themselves into lower payments for years
The Key Insight Most People Miss
Increasing your Age Pension isn’t about tricks or loopholes.
It’s about:
Understanding the rules
Structuring your finances correctly
Making informed decisions at the right time
Even small adjustments can lead to:
An extra $100–$300+ per fortnight
Greater financial confidence in retirement
Want to Know Exactly What You Could Be Getting?
Most people don’t need more complexity—they just need clarity.
That’s where we come in.
We’ll:
Review your current situation
Identify missed opportunities
Show you (in plain English) how to improve your position
No guesswork. No jargon. No pressure.
👉 Book Your Age Pension Strategy Session
If you want to make sure you’re not leaving money on the table:
Book a no-obligation consultation today.
We’ll help you answer:
Am I getting the maximum pension?
Can I increase it legally?
What should I do next?