Financial Planner Luke Smith joined 2CC Talking Canberra in Money Matters, that aired live on Friday 24 July 2026 with 2CC’s Leon Delaney. The topic is: Income and Assets Tests for the Age Pension. Dealing with Centrelink can be challenging but knowing the rules before you retire can help you plan a more certain retirement income. In this episode Luke takes a deep dive into the Income and Assets Tests rules.
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Key topics covered include:
What are the Income and Assets Test for Centrelink Aged Pension Payments?The test that gives you the least amount of entitlement the test that Centrelink will use to determine your payment.A couple can have assets just under $500k and be entitled to the full age pension entitlement.How many assets can a couple have before they’re not entitled to any age pension entitlement?What assets are assessable for the assets test?The relevant financial assets you have are deemed to earn amount that gets added to your income test. However, not every asset will be considered towards your assets test.Telling Centrelink the truth is important.Both tests are required to assess your pension eligibility.What is included in the income test?It’s important to remember that the super of a partner under the age pension age IS NOT considered in the assessment.Gifting rules apply too, only up to $10,000 a year. Gifts over that amount will assume you still have that money for the next 5 years.The family home is not considered in the assets test – your primary residence does not count! If you rented a room of your home however, that income will need to be considered in the income test.Are there steps to legally move around money to make your retirement income better off?When making decisions about retirement, you need to consider the rules and your broader financial needs.If you are not entitled right now, you might be eligible at a future point – so don’t discount it completely as part of your future retirement plan.Luke shares his key points to consider on the Income and Assets Tests for the Centrelink Age Pension.https://www.envisionfinancial.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/The-Strategy-Stacker-Luke-Talks-Money-24072026.mp3
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Do you know how the Centrelink Income and Assets Tests will affect your retirement plans?
The Centrelink Income and Assets Tests determine how much age pension you might be eligible for in retirement. It pays to know the rules before you retire to make the most of your options. Make an appointment to meet with Luke if you need retirement financial advice and step forward with confidence about your retirement income.
Luke as a Financial Planner can help you set up a financial planning strategy to help you achieve your personal financial goals, including investment, super and retirement (including transition to retirement). Simply make an appointment to confidentially discuss your goals. Call Envision Financial Services on 6260 4749. You can use the contact us form to make an appointment, for a confidential discussion about your own goals and situation.
Luke will return to 2CC to talk about other ‘Money Matters’ next week, we hope you can join us. You can also catch up with ‘The Strategy Stacker – Luke Talks Money’ podcast at a time that suits you.
We look forward to your company again. Luke’s book Smart Money Strategy is out now.