When Your Circumstances Change: Life Events That Affect Your Pension

Understanding How Life Events Affect Your Age Pension

Receiving the Age Pension is not a set-and-forget process.
Centrelink requires you to report changes in your circumstances so your payments remain accurate and compliant with current Age Pension rules (2025).

If you forget or delay updating your information, you could face reduced payments, Centrelink debts, or even pension suspension.

At Age Pension Services, we help retirees keep their records up-to-date — ensuring they receive the maximum pension they’re legally entitled to.

🔔 Why Reporting Changes to Centrelink Matters

Your Age Pension rate depends on your:

• Income and assets

• Relationship status

• Living arrangements

• Work or superannuation income

Changes in any of these can impact your Centrelink income and assets tests.
You generally have 14 days to notify Centrelink after a change occurs.

👉 Tip: Keeping your details accurate can sometimes increase your payments if your income or assets have gone down.

💍 Common Life Events You Must Report to Centrelink

1. Change in Relationship Status

If you:

• Get married or start living as a couple

• Separate, divorce, or your partner passes away

Centrelink needs to reassess your pension because single and couple thresholds differ.
Failing to report these changes promptly could cause payment errors.

2. Moving House or Changing Living Arrangements

If you sell your home, move in with family, enter aged care, or live overseas, your homeownership status and assets value may change.
Selling your home? The proceeds can be temporarily exempt for up to 12 months — but only if Centrelink is notified.

3. Buying, Selling, or Inheriting Assets

Selling property, cashing investments, or receiving an inheritance all affect your assets test.
Even market fluctuations or re-valued property may require an update.
We recommend reviewing your record with Centrelink at least once a year.

4. Starting or Stopping Work

Any income — part-time, casual, or self-employed — must be reported, even under the Work Bonus scheme.
If you stop working, you may be eligible for a higher Age Pension once Centrelink updates your income records.

5. Changes to Superannuation or Account-Based Pensions

Drawing down from super or starting a new income stream counts towards both the income and assets tests.
Centrelink needs to know the balance and payment frequency so your Age Pension rate reflects your true income.

6. Travelling or Moving Overseas

If you’re leaving Australia for more than 6 weeks, your pension rate may change.
Some countries have social security agreements with Australia that preserve your eligibility — but rules vary.

🧾 How to Update Centrelink About a Change in Circumstances

You can report updates:

• Online via myGov or the Centrelink app

• By phone or in person

• Or let us manage it for you

At Age Pension Services, we:

• Review your circumstances to identify required updates

• Submit accurate information to Centrelink on your behalf

• Prevent overpayments or compliance issues

• Maximise your ongoing entitlement

💬 Final Thoughts: Keep Your Pension Safe

Life changes — sometimes unexpectedly.
The key to protecting your Age Pension is to keep Centrelink informed early.

If you’ve recently experienced a major life event, contact Age Pension Services and we can update Centrelink on your behalf.
We’ll help you report changes correctly, avoid penalties, and ensure your pension stays accurate and stress-free.