How super works with the Age Pension
3 June 2026Section Heading
As you get closer to retirement, it’s natural to wonder how your super and the Government Age Pension will work together to support your life after work. It’s a common question – and if your super is in an untaxed scheme like Triple S, there are a few extra things worth knowing.
Let’s break it down so you can learn what it means for you.
First things first: what exactly is the Age Pension and who is it for?
The Age Pension is a fortnightly payment from Centrelink designed to help with everyday living costs. You might like to think of it a safety net to supplement your other sources of income – like your super or the savings in your bank account.
To be eligible, you must be Age Pension age (that’s 67 or older), meet Australian residency requirements, and pass Centrelink’s income and assets tests.
The income test looks at what you earn and your deemed income*, while the assets test looks at what you own. Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a full or part Age Pension.
Super and the Age Pension: how they fit together
A common misconception is that having a healthy super balance automatically means you can’t receive the Age Pension, but that’s not necessarily the case. Many retirees rely on a mix of the two in retirement.
When you apply for the Age Pension, Centrelink looks at your overall financial position, including your super, to work out whether you’re eligible, and how much you could receive.
Below is a simple comparison to help you see how super and the Age Pension can support you in retirement.
| Retirement income from super | Retirement income from the Age Pension | |
| When can you access it? |
You can generally access your super from age 60 if you’ve retired or you leave your job, or through a Transition to Retirement strategy (a way to access some of your super while still working). From age 65, you can access all of your super whether you’re working or not. |
If you’re eligible, the Government Age Pension can start from age 67. |
| Who funds the payments? |
Your payments are funded by the money that’s been invested in your super over your working life. |
The Age Pension is funded by the Australian Government. |
| How much can you access? |
With a Retirement Income Stream account you get to choose how much super you’d like to be paid and how frequently. You can also access extra lump sums when required. |
Centrelink determines your pension amount based on their income and assets tests. The maximum basic rate is $1,100.30 for a single person or $1,658.80 for a couple.1 |
| How do I start? |
You can explore your options on the How to retire with Super SA website page or make an appointment with Member Solutions. |
Visit the Services Australia website to see how to claim the Age Pension. You can apply up to 13 weeks before you turn 67. |
1 Source: Services Australia. 20 March 2026. This doesn’t include supplements that may also be payable. Different limits apply to couples separated by illness.
How Centrelink assesses your Triple S super
When you apply for the Age Pension, Centrelink looks at the assets you own. This includes:
- your super
- savings
- any property you own (other than your home)
- shares and investments
- personal possessions like vehicles and household contents.
- shares and investments
- personal possessions like vehicles and household contents.
If you’re a Triple S member, there’s an important detail to understand when it comes to the assessment of your super. Centrelink assesses the full balance of your Triple S account before tax is taken out.
Triple S is an untaxed scheme, which means tax isn’t deducted along the way while you’re working. Instead, it’s taken out when you withdraw your super or transfer it.
But because Centrelink assesses the balance as it appears today, your account may look higher than the amount you’ll actually receive once tax is applied.
For some members, this difference can affect Age Pension eligibility.
Why this matters: an example
Let’s say you have $500,000 in Triple S super. If you apply for the Age Pension while your super is in your Triple S account, Centrelink will assess the full $500,000 as part of the assets test.
Now, let’s say that you moved your super out of Triple S first (by withdrawing it or transferring it to a taxed fund like Super SA’s Income Stream), tax will be applied at that time. Assuming 15% tax that’s $75,000 deducted from your balance2. Centrelink will then only include $425,000 in their assets test rather than $500,000.
If you are under 67 the structure of your super and your spouse’s, may affect Centrelink benefits you receive. If you prefer Centrelink to assess your balance after it’s been taxed, you’ll need to move your super out of Triple S before applying. Just remember, withdrawing funds means your money is no longer invested in the superannuation environment. Transferring funds to an income stream allows your money to stay invested and continue working for your future.
2 Calculated on the basis that the member’s full Triple S account balance is untaxed.Applying for the Age Pension: timing matters
It’s helpful to know that you can apply for the Age Pension up to 13 weeks before you turn 67.
Centrelink does not backpay the Age Pension. So if you wait until after you turn 67 to apply, your payments will only start once your claim is approved, not from when you first became eligible.
Applying ahead of time helps ensure you don’t miss out on any payments.
Calculate your retirement income
If you’re curious to see how your super can work with the government’s Age Pension, try our Retirement Income Calculator. It helps you estimate how much super you’ll have at retirement and also your Age Pension eligibility. The great thing is that you can play with the figures to see how different scenarios may work for you.
Planning ahead with confidence
Whenever you’re ready to take the next step – including looking at how and when to access your super – our Member Solutions team is here to help. They’ll walk you through your options and explain how your super may be taxed.
For more personalised support, a licensed financial adviser who understands Super SA can help you look at your full financial situation and explore what feels right for you.
*Deemed income is not what you actually earn. It’s an assumed rate of return applied to certain financial assets, such as super, shares, savings, term deposits and managed investments.
