How Much Can You Have and Still Get the Full Age Pension? Single or Couple, Own or Rent

Until September last year, a single homeowner could have about $300,000 in super and savings and still get the full Age Pension. Today, with that money in super or the bank, they'd lose part of it. Here's how much you can really have and keep the full rate - single or couple, own your home or rent - and why the limit that decides it is hiding in the income test. Free download: The Australian Retirement Readiness Checklist – 48 things to check before you stop working: https://aussiewealthwithemma.com.au Subscribe to get all the latest videos and information: https://www.youtube.com/@aussiewealthwithemma?sub_confirmation=1 TIMESTAMPS 0:00 How much can you have and keep the full pension? 0:58 Two tests, not one 1:41 Deeming: the income test when you have no income 2:22 The real number, single and couple 3:08 Why you've heard a bigger number 3:47 Two limits for every household 4:38 Every household on one card 5:01 What counts as savings, and what doesn't 5:43 Other income and the Work Bonus 6:20 Worked example: Graham 6:58 A slope, not a cliff 7:24 Pre-2015 pensions and reporting changes 7:59 When the limits change 8:38 In one breath WHAT'S IN THIS ONE (deeming rates from 20 September 2026; limits and free areas from 1 July 2026) - To get the full Age Pension you have to pass both tests: the assets test and the income test - The assets test full-rate limits (everything except the home you live in): $333,000 single homeowner, $600,000 single non-homeowner, $499,000 couple homeowners, $766,000 couple non-homeowners (combined) - The income test counts deemed income on super (from pension age), bank accounts, term deposits, shares and managed funds - even if they earn nothing: 1.75% on the first $66,800 ($110,600 for a couple) and 3.75% above, with a free area of $226 a fortnight single or $396 a couple - So the full rate stops at about $192,000 in super and savings for a single person ($192,320) and about $334,000 for a couple ($333,547), if that's your only income - and it's the same whether you own your home or rent - Until 19 September 2025, that single figure was about $309,000; deeming rates have risen three times since, and the 20 September 2026 rise alone cut it by almost $30,000 - Owning or renting changes the room you have for everything else (car, furniture, caravan): about $140,000 for a single homeowner, about $400,000 for a single renter - Not counted at all: the home you live in (and up to 2 hectares on the same title), a burial plot, a fully prepaid funeral; a partner under pension age's super while it isn't paying them a pension - Other income lowers the savings limit; the Work Bonus means the first $300 a fortnight from work isn't counted - Account-based pensions held since before 1 January 2015 (with no break in your Centrelink payment since 31 December 2014) may not be deemed - Going over is a slope, not a cliff: about $7 a fortnight less for every $10,000 over the savings limit (single) - When to tell Centrelink about changes, and when the limits next move THE EXAMPLES ARE ILLUSTRATIVE: Graham is a 68-year-old single homeowner with $220,000 in super, about $25,000 of car and furniture, and no other income. The savings limits assume no other income. Living overseas, being legally blind, or receiving a transitional rate changes the picture. Deeming rates from 20 September 2026; full-pension asset limits, income-free areas and deeming thresholds from 1 July 2026; maximum rates from 20 September 2026. Related videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvlqlIO7cQM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHdfbRpC-PY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhfDS6pyibc GENERAL ADVICE DISCLAIMER This video is general information only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs, and it is not personal financial advice. Centrelink outcomes depend on your circumstances; check your position with Services Australia or speak with a licensed financial adviser before acting. A note on how this is made: Every script starts with real research and is checked against current ATO and Services Australia figures - that part isn't automated. AI tools produce the narration and visuals. I write, verify, and stand behind every word. Thanks for being here. #AussieWealth #Superannuation #RetirementAustralia #AgePension #FullAgePension #Centrelink #Deeming #RetirementPlanning