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Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment

A payment to the surviving partner of a deceased member of the Pension Bonus Scheme who did not make a claim for the bonus before his or her death.

To be eligible you must:

have lodged a completed claim for Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment in Australia within 26 weeks of your partner's death, and
your partner:
- died on or after 1 January 2008
- was a registered member of the Pension Bonus Scheme for at least 12 months and not made a claim before they passed away
- did not received an income-support payment (excluding Carer Payment) since their Age Pension qualification date

Eligibility & payment rates

Eligibility for the Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment

You may be eligible for the Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment if you meet specific criteria.

Payment rates for the Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment

Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment is a tax-free lump sum payment.

Income and assets tests for the Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment

In most cases, an income test and assets test are used to work out how much you can get. The rate that you can get will depend on the combined income and assets of you and your partner, immediately before your partner passed away, excluding:

you and your late partner’s employment income, and
regular or a lump-sum compensation payment

Residency requirements for Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment

To qualify for Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment, your partner who died must have met the residence requirements for Age Pension.

Other benefits while receiving the Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment

If you qualify for the Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment, you may be entitled to other payments and benefits, such as:

Claiming

Claiming a Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment

You should submit your claim for Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment as soon as possible.

Managing your payment

Change of circumstances while receiving the Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment

While you are a member of the Pension Bonus Scheme you do not have to keep us informed of changes to your circumstances.

We recommend, however, that you advise us of any change of address and of any other event that might affect your future entitlement, such as a change in relationship status.