Wife Pension
New Grants of Wife Pension
New grants of Wife Pension stopped on 1 July 1995.
New grants of Wife Pension stopped on 1 July 1995.
If you were receiving Wife Pension before that date, you can keep on receiving it for as long as you remain eligible and until you transfer to the Age Pension. You must also meet income and assets tests.
You need to know
Income and assets tests for Wife Pension
To remain eligible for Wife Pension, you need to meet income and assets tests.
Read more about the income and assets tests for Wife Pension
Income test for pensions
Your income can affect the amount of payment you receive from us.
Payment rates for Wife Pension
The payment rates for Wife Pension are updated on 20 March and 20 September each year.
Maximum payment rates of Wife Pension
| Family situation | Pension rate per fortnight |
|---|---|
| Couple | $536.70 each or $1 073.40 |
| Couple separated due to ill health | $712.00 each |
Note: these amounts exclude the Pension Supplement, a fortnightly payment additional to the base pension. The maximum rate of Pension Supplement for couples is $91.40 a fortnight (combined) and for each member of a couple separated due to ill health is $60.60 a fortnight.
Also, we review your Wife Pension from time to time.
If you disagree with a decision we make, you have the right to appeal.
Other benefits while receiving Wife Pension
If you qualify for Wife Pension, you may be entitled to other payments and benefits, such as:
Existing customers
Change of circumstances while receiving Wife Pension
You need to tell us if your circumstances change while receiving Wife Pension. For example, you need to tell us if:
- your income changes
- you move house
- you re-partner,or
- you leave Australia
You need to let us know about any changes within 14 days, in case they affect your Wife Pension. If you don’t tell us about changes, you may be overpaid, and you will have to pay the money back.
If you deliberately don’t tell us about changes, you could be charged with fraud. You may have to pay a fee if you give us incorrect information about your employment income.
Advance payment options
You may be eligible to receive part of your Centrelink payment in advance. Accessing an advance payment depends on the type of payment you receive, how long you have been receiving it and the amount that you receive.
Transitional rate of pension
The transitional rate of pension is a special rate for people who would ordinarily have received a lower pension because of income test changes in 2009.
You are automatically paid the transitional rate of pension if your rate has always been higher than the rate introduced in 2009.
The transitional rate of pension can apply to:
- Age Pension
- Bereavement Allowance
- Carer Payment
- Disability Support Pension (except if you are aged under 21 and have no children)
- Widow B Pension
- Wife Pension.
Calculating the transitional rate
Your transitional pension rate is compared to the rate of the pension you would receive under the current income test. You will keep receiving the transitional rate while it is more than the current rate. As soon as the current rate is the same or more than your transitional rate, you will be paid under the current means test. You will no longer be eligible for the transitional rate.
Losing the transitional rate
Changes like having more or less income can alter the amount of your pension payment. You cannot go back to your transitional rate if you start receiving the current rate because of a change in your circumstances.
It is important to understand what effect a brief change, like earning more or less employment income, may have on your pension. A Customer Service Officer or Financial Information Service Officer can explain the likely outcomes to you.
Payments paid while outside Australia
There are rules about getting your payment when you leave Australia.