If your Age Pension takes a hit, it impacts life fast. In September, some part-pensioners may see their fortnightly payment reduced as Centrelink updates assessed income from financial assets. The goal now is to protect your care hours and keep more of your Home Care Package working for you.
At Trilogy Care, we help you take control so more of your budget reaches the frontline, not overheads.
Protect your care hours even if your pension is reduced
Centrelink uses assumed earnings on bank accounts, term deposits, shares and super in retirement phase to work out your assessed income. If assessed income rises, the income test can reduce your Age Pension. Some people will still see a small increase from September indexation, others may see little change, and some will see a reduction. The best response is a plan that keeps essential services in place.
Quick actions to take this month
- Update your recorded balances in myGov so Centrelink assesses current figures
- Ask your provider for a clear fee breakdown showing care versus overheads
- Review your care plan and use any unspent funds to shore up priority supports
Stretch your Home Care Package when income tightens
When every dollar counts, provider efficiency matters. Focus on the levers you control.
- Compare provider fees and inclusions side by side so you are not overpaying for administration
- Consider self-management or our Self Managed PLUS model to keep more funding in direct services
- Match your care roster to what you need now and cut budget leaks like long travel times
Why switching provider can feel like a pay rise for your care
When assessed income changes, your provider choice becomes a financial decision. Trilogy Care is built to keep more of your package in actual support.
- Transparent pricing and monthly clarity so you can see where every dollar goes
- Self-management and hybrid options that give you control and reduce overheads
- Proactive care plan reviews to target the highest impact services first
If you are also hearing about Support at Home changes this year, we can walk you through what they mean for your budget and your home care fees.
What else is changing this year?
- Care management will be set at 10% of your quarterly budget
- Package management will roll into service prices rather than a separate fee
- Budgets will move to quarterly with limits on how much you can roll over
- Assistive Technology and Home Modifications will have a separate funding pool
Pension changes by the numbers
- Pension payments index in September, but some part-pensioners may see a reduction if assessed income rises
- Hundreds of thousands of older Australians could be affected
- Deeming rates are scheduled to lift on 20 September and can influence assessed income
- Lower rate 0.75%
- Upper rate 2.75%
- Lower-rate thresholds $64,200 for singles and $106,200 for couples combined
- Outcomes vary person to person because the income test and assets test both apply
This article is general information only. Your Age Pension outcome depends on your specific income and assets. Trilogy Care can help you understand options, but we do not provide financial advice. Call our team on 1300 459 190 to discuss how we can help you make the most of your budget.
