Pension boost starts today

From today, local pensioners will benefit from a boost to their hip pockets thanks to an increase in the pension as well as the new Clean Energy Supplement.

More than 20,000 local pensioners will benefit from these increases.

Single pensioners on the maximum rate are now receiving an extra $35.80 per fortnight, and pensioner couples on the maximum rate are receiving an extra $54.00 per fortnight combined.

The increased total pension payment for people on the maximum rate is now:

• $808.40 a fortnight for singles, and
• $1,218.80 a fortnight for couples combined.

“We know budgets are tight for pensioners and that’s why we’re delivering this increase,” Mr Albanese said.

The new Clean Energy Supplement, which is part of the Household Assistance Package, will now be paid fortnightly along with the pension, at a rate of $13.50 per fortnight for singles and $20.40 a fortnight for couples combined.

“Labor’s pension reforms and the new Clean Energy Supplement means the maximum rate of the single pension is now $207 a fortnight higher than it was in September 2009.”

“As well as delivering the single biggest pension increase in more than 100 years, we’ve improved the indexation system, and now we’re providing another important boost with the new Clean Energy Supplement.

“In contrast, Tony Abbott and the Liberals have promised to claw back every cent of the support Labor is delivering pensioners under the Household Assistance Package.”

The pension increase applies to people receiving the Age Pension, the maximum rate Disability Pension, and Carer Payment, as well as veterans’ income support recipients.

Full details of all new rates and thresholds can be found at: http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/about-fahcsia/benefits-payments/indexation-rates-march-2013