I would like to assure you that the Aged Pension will continue to rise every six months to keep up with the cost of living.
Pensions rose by a maximum of $15.70 a fortnight for a single and $11.90 for each member of a couple in March and it will increase again this September.
Pensioners will also continue to receive the Pension Supplement, which will continue to be indexed (increased) twice a year. The supplement is currently $1635.40 a year for singles and up to $2464.80 for couples. The next indexed increase will be in September.
The budget made no changes to the eligibility for Pensioner Concession Cards and recipients will continue to receive all the benefits currently attached to the card, including access to Commonwealth services at lower costs.
The NSW Government has also confirmed it would maintain its share of the funding of state-based concessions, including rebates on council residential rates and vehicle registration.
Pensioners will also benefit from the abolition of the carbon tax, which will put $550 back into the pockets of the average family, as well as keeping the Energy Supplement – currently $361 a year for singles and up to $546 for couples.
From 2017, the pension will continue to rise every six months in line with inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call my Lismore office on 6621 4044 or Grafton on 6643 3973.
Kind regards,
Kevin Hogan MP
Federal Member for Page
