Australian Aged Pension

[scorecard]

34 minutes ago, Bvor said:

Your link would assist me when seeking clarity from Centrelink - although not applying to me the moved abroad and/or 2 year scenario has me curious and as I am now back in Oz I may contact Centrelink in respect to a few of my OAP mates living in LOS .

cheers

 

Here's the toll free number details:

 

If you are in one of the following countries, you can use our free call numbers listed. The numbers may not be free from mobile or public phones.

Austria

0800 295 165

Canada

1888 2557 493

China (north)

10 800 6100 427

Includes the provinces of Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Liaoning, Jilin, Shandong and Henan.

China (south)

10 800 2611 309

All other provinces

Denmark

8088 3556

Germany

0800 1802 482

Greece

0080 0611 26209

India

000 800 61 01098

Indonesia

001 803 61 035

Ireland

1800 200 333

Italy

800 781 977

Korea, Republic of

003 081 32326

Netherlands

0800 0224 364

New Zealand

0800 441 248

Philippines

1800 1611 0046

Poland

00800 6111 220

Portugal

800 861 122

Singapore

800 6167 015

Spain

900 951 547

Thailand

001 800 611 4136

 

I added the bolding to the Access number from Thailand.

 

The above is cut from this main document:

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/how-we-can-help-with-international-services?context=22471

 

You mentioned "...I may contact Centrelink in respect to a few of my OAP mates living in LOS ."  This is clearly not my business but I wonder if Centrelink officers would be allowed to discuss details regarding other members. Surely that would be a breach of privacy.

 

Your business entirely however I wonder if you might give the guys in Thailand the toll free number as above and suggest they call:

Thailand

001 800 611 4136

 

Calls to this number go direct to the CLink International office in Hobart. They don't bite. As with all gov't agencies nowadays all calls are recorded so it pays to be careful what you reveal.

[Bvor]

On 12/7/2024 at 8:52 PM, scorecard said:

The pension supplement of AUD83.20 continues forever if you move abroad. 

I rang Centrelink International today who advised me that "continues forever" is incorrect as will cease for all OAP after 6 weeks outside Oz. He scoffed at the notion and cautioned me re scammers, trolls, etc.

[Lacessit]

23 minutes ago, Bvor said:

I rang Centrelink International today who advised me that "continues forever" is incorrect as will cease for all OAP after 6 weeks outside Oz. He scoffed at the notion and cautioned me re scammers, trolls, etc.

I agree. I get the pension supplement and energy allowance pro rata in Australia, being on a part pension.

 

I lose both when I am outside Australia for more than six weeks. I know I lose both, because I have checked the fortnightly payments when in Australia and Thailand.

 

My expenditure exceeds my income when I am in Australia. In Thailand, I can actually save money on the OAP plus investment income.

[scorecard]

35 minutes ago, Bvor said:

I rang Centrelink International today who advised me that "continues forever" is incorrect as will cease for all OAP after 6 weeks outside Oz. He scoffed at the notion and cautioned me re scammers, trolls, etc.

Member

 380

Posted 34 minutes ago

  On 12/7/2024 at 7:52 PM, scorecard said:

The pension supplement of AUD83.20 continues forever if you move abroad. 

I rang Centrelink International today who advised me that "continues forever" is incorrect as will cease for all OAP after 6 weeks outside Oz. He scoffed at the notion and cautioned me re scammers, trolls, etc.

 

OK, well here is my understanding: I returned to Oz after decades of absence, did the 2 years 're-establish a home', gained the full OAP portability, moved abroad, been paid the full OAP and the full supplement for many years. Never been queried. 

 

Earlier when I asked the CLink officer to explain 'portability / OAP supplement etc., she said clearly it continues forever unless you break the law or die.  This was after some discussion n the 2 years / gaining portability etc.

 

It seems that other who achieved continued payment abroad but did not go the 2 years route are managed under a different policy.

 

No further comment.

[CygnusX1]

 

Just to recap what others have said on page 224, my interpretation of the pension supplement is, for a single person per fortnight,

 

- Basic supplement $28.90, which is paid even after more than 6 weeks overseas

- Total supplement to $44.80 minimum to $83.20 maximum, pro-rated by the amount of part pension received, the part of which is on top of the basic supplement ceasing after 6 weeks overseas 

- Energy supplement of $14.10, which ceases after 6 weeks overseas

 

Couldn’t find any information on whether the basic supplement is pro-rated by part pension, so I’m guessing it isn’t.

 

(If overseas for more than 26 weeks, different rules apply for those who haven’t been long term Australian residents. I think these rules would only affect those who emigrated to Australia as adults, wouldn’t affect those who’ve spent most of their lives in Australia.)

 

Apologies if I’ve made any mistakes here, just trying to do my best, and of course as others have said, contact Centrelink if you need definitive information.

 

System wouldn’t let me post the links to Services Australia. Bing searches for “Australian age pension supplement”  and “Australian age pension supplement overseas” took me to the relevant Services Australia pages (I can’t use Google search while running my VPN, which I always do while using hotel WiFi)

[Olmate]

ิconfusing much, lets hear what amount per f/n we are receiving, Ive just returned here from Oz so my payments will change now.Last 2 f/n were $1080.00  here in LOS, then $1144 in AUS... Anybody care to share? 

[Lacessit]

10 hours ago, scorecard said:

Member

 380

Posted 34 minutes ago

  On 12/7/2024 at 7:52 PM, scorecard said:

The pension supplement of AUD83.20 continues forever if you move abroad. 

I rang Centrelink International today who advised me that "continues forever" is incorrect as will cease for all OAP after 6 weeks outside Oz. He scoffed at the notion and cautioned me re scammers, trolls, etc.

 

OK, well here is my understanding: I returned to Oz after decades of absence, did the 2 years 're-establish a home', gained the full OAP portability, moved abroad, been paid the full OAP and the full supplement for many years. Never been queried. 

 

Earlier when I asked the CLink officer to explain 'portability / OAP supplement etc., she said clearly it continues forever unless you break the law or die.  This was after some discussion n the 2 years / gaining portability etc.

 

It seems that other who achieved continued payment abroad but did not go the 2 years route are managed under a different policy.

 

No further comment.

IMO Centrelink has some explaining to do.

 

Why should two sets of rules re payments be applied to anyone living overseas?

[rhodie]

48 minutes ago, Olmate said:

ิconfusing much, lets hear what amount per f/n we are receiving, Ive just returned here from Oz so my payments will change now.Last 2 f/n were $1080.00  here in LOS, then $1144 in AUS... Anybody care to share? 

As Below quote:

*

- Basic supplement $28.90, which is paid even after more than 6 weeks overseas

- Total supplement to $44.80 minimum to $83.20 maximum, pro-rated by the amount of part pension received, the part of which is on top of the basic supplement ceasing after 6 weeks overseas 

- Energy supplement of $14.10, which ceases after 6 weeks overseas

*

 

You were receiving $28.90 +$0 in Thailand

You are Receiving $83.20 _ $14.10 in Australia.

 

That is your difference. Your Centrelink payment notice will spell it out for you.

[scorecard]

On 12/9/2024 at 8:52 PM, Lacessit said:

I agree. I get the pension supplement and energy allowance pro rata in Australia, being on a part pension.

 

I lose both when I am outside Australia for more than six weeks. I know I lose both, because I have checked the fortnightly payments when in Australia and Thailand.

 

My expenditure exceeds my income when I am in Australia. In Thailand, I can actually save money on the OAP plus investment income.

Quote:

I lose both when I am outside Australia for more than six weeks. I know I lose both, because I have checked the fortnightly payments when in Australia and Thailand.  

 

Clearly the way folks who 1). Move out of Oz on the Portability 'system' re handled re allowances is different compared to 2). Folks who remain permanently resident in Oz but take holidays abroad then return home to Oz. 

 

Re situation1). It's been confirmed many times (me and others) there is no loss of the OAP supplement (ever) when living abroad but other allowance: energy, rent assistance and more do cease.

 

Re situation 2). Living permanently in Oz / some holidays abroad / return home to Oz. Seems that there is a reduction in the OAP supplement when the pensioner has been out OZ for 6 weeks. But restored on returning to Oz (And CLink know because they have a live 24/7 link to immigration passport departures and arrivals records.)

[Lacessit]

13 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Quote:

I lose both when I am outside Australia for more than six weeks. I know I lose both, because I have checked the fortnightly payments when in Australia and Thailand.  

 

Clearly the way folks who 1). Move out of Oz on the Portability 'system' re handled re allowances is different compared to 2). Folks who remain permanently resident in Oz but take holidays abroad then return home to Oz. 

 

Re situation1). It's been confirmed many times (me and others) there is no loss of the OAP supplement (ever) when living abroad but other allowance: energy, rent assistance and more do cease.

 

Re situation 2). Living permanently in Oz / some holidays abroad / return home to Oz. Seems that there is a reduction in the OAP supplement when the pensioner has been out OZ for 6 weeks. But restored on returning to Oz (And CLink know because they have a live 24/7 link to immigration passport departures and arrivals records.)

Points taken. However, it does beg the question. Why?

[Bvor]

1 hour ago, scorecard said:

Clearly the way folks who 1). Move out of Oz on the Portability 'system' re handled re allowances is different compared to 2). Folks who remain permanently resident in Oz but take holidays abroad then return home to Oz. 

Not according to the Centrelink International officer that i spoke to on Monday. What you are subscribing maybe clear in your mind but not so for many other OAP's and as far as I could see is not substantiated on the Centrelink website - i stand corrected if you can provide a relevant link to the Centrelink website.

 

[Olmate]

12 hours ago, Bvor said:

Not according to the Centrelink International officer that i spoke to on Monday. What you are subscribing maybe clear in your mind but not so for many other OAP's and as far as I could see is not substantiated on the Centrelink website - i stand corrected if you can provide a relevant link to the Centrelink website.

 

'Round circles'again! Lets hear some examples of in Thailand and in Oz fortnightly payments!? 

[Bvor]

10 hours ago, Olmate said:

'Round circles'again! Lets hear some examples of in Thailand and in Oz fortnightly payments!? 

Attached herewith from Centrelink website seems clear enough -  no ifs no buts.

 

 

 

[CygnusX1]

15 hours ago, Olmate said:

'Round circles'again! Lets hear some examples of in Thailand and in Oz fortnightly payments!? 

Can’t give you my OS pension as an example as I’ve not yet exceeded my 6 weeks. Will post figures early new year, expect it will be in within the range on Centrelink website posted above by Bvor and rhodie.

[Olmate]

7 hours ago, CygnusX1 said:

Can’t give you my OS pension as an example as I’ve not yet exceeded my 6 weeks. Will post figures early new year, expect it will be in within the range on Centrelink website posted above by Bvor and rhodie.

 

11 hours ago, Bvor said:

Attached herewith from Centrelink website seems clear enough -  no ifs no buts.

 

 

 

Sure the website is clear enough, but thats not the case with posters on here is it? My point is that regardless of whats stated, what amount are we receiving here. You say within the range of... ???    I cant be sure of latest f/n $ amount either as I have  just returned from 2 weeks in Oz. Maybe posters are reluctant to post $$$. ?  Cheers.

[scorecard]

6 hours ago, Olmate said:

 

Sure the website is clear enough, but thats not the case with posters on here is it? My point is that regardless of whats stated, what amount are we receiving here. You say within the range of... ???    I cant be sure of latest f/n $ amount either as I have  just returned from 2 weeks in Oz. Maybe posters are reluctant to post $$$. ?  Cheers.

 

Receiving, transferred to K Bank :

 

As per the website I receive the rates after September 2024 six monthly cost of living adjustments:

 

- Fortnightly OAP rate AUD1.047.10

- Fortnightly Supplement rate AUD 83.20

TOTAL     AUD1,130.30

 

Transferred 4 weekly, so AUD1,130.30 X2 =  AUD2,260.60.

 

No changes after every six monthly cost of living adjustment.

 

I returned to Oz, did the 2 years then returned to LOS.

 

[Lacessit]

8 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 

Receiving, transferred to K Bank :

 

As per the website I receive the rates after September 2024 six monthly cost of living adjustments:

 

- Fortnightly OAP rate AUD1.047.10

- Fortnightly Supplement rate AUD 83.20

TOTAL     AUD1,130.30

 

Transferred 4 weekly, so AUD1,130.30 X2 =  AUD2,260.60.

 

No changes after every six monthly cost of living adjustment.

 

I returned to Oz, did the 2 years then returned to LOS.

 

I have a friend in Chiang Mai, on a full OAP. He gets $1076.00 per fortnight.

 

Good luck to you if you get more. However, I fail to see why there should be be two different pensions for the same situation.

[Olmate]

26 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I have a friend in Chiang Mai, on a full OAP. He gets $1076.00 per fortnight.

 

Good luck to you if you get more. However, I fail to see why there should be be two different pensions for the same situation.

Yeah, mate gets $1114.00,fnite,currently.Who.knows wtf🙏

[Will27]

49 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I have a friend in Chiang Mai, on a full OAP. He gets $1076.00 per fortnight.

 

Good luck to you if you get more. However, I fail to see why there should be be two different pensions for the same situation.

I have two mates here who both get the same as your friend $1076.00.

[LosLobo]

1 hour ago, scorecard said:

 

Receiving, transferred to K Bank :

 

As per the website I receive the rates after September 2024 six monthly cost of living adjustments:

 

- Fortnightly OAP rate AUD1.047.10

- Fortnightly Supplement rate AUD 83.20

TOTAL     AUD1,130.30

 

Transferred 4 weekly, so AUD1,130.30 X2 =  AUD2,260.60.

 

No changes after every six monthly cost of living adjustment.

 

I returned to Oz, did the 2 years then returned to LOS.

 

You are a veteran and were on a DVA pension before?

Possibly because of this there may be some grandfathering when you go onto the Aged Pension.

NB I only get the base supplement of $28 as from this year.

[scorecard]

7 hours ago, LosLobo said:

You are a veteran and were on a DVA pension before?

Possibly because of this there may be some grandfathering when you go onto the Aged Pension.

NB I only get the base supplement of $28 as from this year.

I have never received the veterans pension.

[LosLobo]

8 hours ago, scorecard said:

I have never received the veterans pension.

But you have mentioned vets, DVA and Disability Pensions here before.

As you are disabled, is it possible you are receiving some special benefits that others here are not eligible for, that maybe give you entitlement to a larger basic pension supplement?

[scorecard]

3 hours ago, LosLobo said:

But you have mentioned vets, DVA and Disability Pensions here before.

As you are disabled, is it possible you are receiving some special benefits that others here are not eligible for, that maybe give you entitlement to a larger basic pension supplement?

 

No.

 

The DVA permanent disability compensation payment (which has several levels) is administered totally by the DVA. Other 'agencies' are not involved in any way.

The various DVA levels never mention any other items, payments, benefits from other agencies.

 

In the 14+ years Centrelink / Service Australia / OAP benefits/payments has never been used in the DVA text words. 

 

(Note:  The DVA permanent disability payment was called the DVA Disability Pension, but about three years ago the DVA changed the name to the DVA permanent disability compensation payment .

Regardless of the name always administered totally by the DVA. Centrelink / Services Australia never involved in any way in my experience. I've never had any communications or discussions re this item with Centrelink / Services Australia.)