Fix Pension Poverty

This campaign aims to improve the standard of living for older Australians reliant on the Age Pension.

The issue

The Age Pension doesn’t provide enough for older Australians.

What we're calling for

An increase in rent assistance, a dental care scheme for pensioners, a dedicated Pensioner Concession Card Plus (PCC+) and letting pensioners work are some of our key policy priorities.

The benefits

These policies will improve living standards for older Australians who are reliant on the Age Pension.

Our policy recommendations

Increase the maximum rate of Commonwealth Rent Assistance

Increasing Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) rates in Australia can will alleviate housing poverty for older people most at risk of poverty. Ideally, anIndependent Age Pension Tribunal should determine the CRA rates.

Create a Seniors Dental Benefit Scheme to provide basic dental care

A Seniors Dental Benefits Scheme would provide $500 per year to improve access to dental care for pensioners with limited means and those in living in residential aged care.

Let pensioners work in the care sector

National Seniors is calling for care sector workers to receive an exemption from the pension income test to allow them to keep their pension if they continue to work in later life.

Create a targeted Pensioner Concession Card Plus (PCC+)

With an estimated 23.7% of pensioners living in poverty, the federal government should create a targeted Pensioner Concession Card to provide additional support to those most in need.

Minister for Older Australians

National Seniors Australia is calling for a dedicated Minister within the federal government to champion the diverse issues facing older Australians, such as discrimination, elder abuse, retirement income, health care and aged care.

Who's doing it tough?

This infographic, from National Seniors own survey data, shows who is doing it toughest in the face of the current cost-of-living crisis.

Campaign wins

15% increase to Commonwealth Rent Assistance

A 15% increase to the maximum rate of CRA was announced in the 2023 Federal Budget, which is long overdue. This increase will begin from September 2023 and will go some way to assist renters with rising housing costs.

$30 per week increase to the Age Pension rate

We fought hard and won a historic one-off increase of $30 per week to the maximum Age Pension rate in 2009.

Become a National Seniors Member

Join National Seniors Australia today and receive discounts on everyday essentials and more

National Seniors Australia members have access to a range of benefits and services – including discounts on Travel, Health and Life Insurance.

As a member, save with discounts, expand your social circle through our branches, receive a yearly subscription to Our Generation digital magazine, and access our Financial Information Consultant by phone.

For only $49.50, anyone can become a member and it only takes minutes to join.

Help us improve our campaign

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Donate

National Seniors is the leading not-for-profit organisation fighting for a fair go for older Australians.

We rely on people like you to donate so we can continue to tackle issues such as age discrimination, accessible housing, pension poverty, health costs, aged care, improve retirement income and provide more home care places so that older Australians can live safely and make ends meet.