Skip to navigation Skip to content

Processing transfers to Age Pension 065-03030010

This page contains information on how to process transfers to Age Pension.

On this page:

Review transfer

Process transfer to Age Pension in Process Direct

Process transfer to Age Pension in Customer First or Customer Record requiring a handover to Legacy from Process Direct

Payment transfer considerations when a customer reaches Age Pension age

Review transfer

Table 1

Step	Action
1	Lodgement of transfer or documentation Service centre staff: If a Service Officer is not skilled to process a Transfer to Age Pension (SA383): scan the documents at the time of lodgement. (Do not select scan to store) check if Urgent Transfers to Age Pension can be applied procedure ends here Skilled Service Officers need to process the SA383 at the time of lodgement Smart Centre staff request or search for the work item via Inbox. If a Service Officer is not skilled to process Transfer to Age: select un-assign check if Urgent Transfers to Age Pension can be applied procedure ends here Skilled Service Officers must select work item to view the Customer and Activity Information table on the Transaction Summary (TS) screen If the transfer cannot be immediately finalised: stream it on the day allocated, and update the Progress of Claim DOC Has the customer or partner's current payment been suspended or cancelled? Yes, go to Step 2 No, go to Step 3
2	Current payment suspended or cancelled If the customer or their partner's payments have been suspended or cancelled due to non-lodgement of the transfer: payments can be restored from the date of suspension or cancellation if the transfer to Age Pension is submitted with required documents within 13 weeks of the date last paid If the customer (or their partner) is over Age Pension age: superannuation products must be provided and updated before restoring their payments if they advise they do not have any superannuation investments, restore their payment document this response fully To restore the current payment, complete restoration activity via Customer Summary in Process Direct before processing the transfer to Age Pension. See Restoration of payments. Exceptions Carer Payment (CP) has cancelled due to end of 'care arrangements'. Note: if a claim for Age Pension is lodged after CP has cancelled and the customer was qualified for Age Pension while in receipt of CP, or immediately after, the start day can be backdated up to the later of: 13 weeks before the date the claim for Age Pension is lodged, and the date the person qualified for Age Pension Customer's income support payment was cancelled after the Transfer to Age Pension process has started, but before the customer turned Age Pension age or qualified for Age Pension. To make sure Age Pension entitlements are assessed based on the customer's current circumstances, processing staff must: Review and update existing income and assets if the customer has submitted a recent online update or uploaded an Income and Assets form (SA369), or Issue a Requesting information (CLK) letter and SA369 form before completing the Transfer to Age process Carer Payment (XWP) is suspended or cancelled and will not be restored In those cases: Check Pensions Assessment Date (PNA) within the new claim activity PNA may auto populate as the Date of Receipt (DOR) and need to be changed to the correct assessment date Note: Service Officers who encounter urgent transfers to Age Pension and do not have appropriate transfer to Age Pension skill tags, see Urgent Transfers to Age Pension on the Background page.
3	Review Transfer to Age Pension Select Work Item Select the Transfer to Age Work Item to view Customer and Claim Information on the Transaction Summary (TS) screen Select to review the customer's claim responses and scanned documents (scanned or uploaded SA383 display in scan documents) For help, see Process Direct navigation, common screens and functions. Customer Declaration for ACC transfers to Age Pension Check a DOC/Note has been recorded on the customer's record confirming 'Staff assisted verbal declaration accepted - Yes', displayed in: Process Direct Notes the Customer Claim Summary When an ACC transfer has been submitted by a staff logon, processing staff must check the correct Date of Receipt (DOR) has been applied, and if necessary, correct the DOR. To identify the correct date the ACC was submitted, view the Transfer Progress DOC/Note. Check the: 'Document created by SAPAPP on DDMMYY' date 'Receipt' Date If the 'Document created by SAPAPP' date is: the same as the 'Receipt Date' - no further action is required later than the 'Receipt Date' - correct the DOR to the ‘Document created by SAPAPP on DDMMYY’ date (this is the actual date of claim submission) To correct the DOR within the transfer, select > Update DOR. See Process Direct navigation, common screens and functions and VOD - Changing the Date of Receipt when it is incorrect on the Resources page for more details.
4	Verify Australian residence Determine if the customer meets the 10 years qualifying Australian residence or an exemption or alternate qualification to that requirement. See Residence assessment for customers claiming Age Pension. Does the customer meet, or are they exempt from, the 10 year qualifying residence requirements for Age Pension? Yes, go to Step 5 No, see Table 2 > Step 1
5	Check if the customer will be disadvantaged Customers who are eligible to transfer to Age Pension are provided with details on the advantages of transferring to Age Pension or remaining on their current payment using information from their record. Service Officers must refer to Table 4 - Payment transfer considerations when a customer reaches Age Pension age for details about Age Pension versus current payment to compare payment options. If the customer's decision to remain on their current payment will disadvantage them make 2 attempts to contact the customer. Call the customer at different times on the same day where possible, using pre-call SMS, prior to contacting, where applicable. If customer contact is: successful: tell the customer about the advantages and disadvantages of transferring from their current payment to Age Pension confirm their decision to transfer or remain on their current payment DOC the record go to Step 6 unsuccessful: DOC the record with details of attempts and process the transfer go to Step 6
6	Income and assets Superannuation All superannuation investments are assessed under the Income and Asset tests for customers at or over Age Pension age. See Assessing superannuation. For customers of Age Pension age, superannuation products must be declared and details of any changes to superannuation advised. For example, details of approved deposit fund, deferred annuity, or superannuation fund may need to be provided. Superannuation is assessable at Age Pension age whether the customer transfers to Age Pension or not. If their partner is over pension age and is not already on an income support payment, details of the partner's superannuation is also needed. Extended House and Curtilage The extended land use test may be applied when the customer reaches Age Pension age. See Assessing house and curtilage. If the customer's record indicates their home property is on more than 2 hectares, they will have been asked home property questions. If not previously recorded on the Real Estate Business Details (REBS) screen and the customer's home property exceeds 2 hectares - issue Module R, as the question set will not be included in their online transfer or ACC. If customer is eligible for the Extended Curtilage concession, apply updates to REBS including Curtilage Type field from the later Date of Event of APA or DOR Due to a system limitation, if the Date of Event is more than 30 days in the future the REBS coding cannot be applied. In this instance, the TTA activity must be Held until a date within 30 days of reaching Age Pension age For information about recording real estate details and recording details for a property valuation, see Assessing and coding the Real estate details.
7	Identity Confirmation and proof of age If the Identity status is: Confirmed, no further action required for Identity Not confirmed: Select the Not Confirmed link to open a Customer Summary window Select Identity Confirmation > Identity Confirmation Dashboard from the Task Selector Check if an Identity Review has been completed as part of an Alternative Identity assessment Code details of identity documents uploaded once linkage has been completed. See Identity Confirmation and Coding identity documents If the customer is not able to confirm or establish their identity and cannot achieve a Confirmed Identity status, consider if exceptional circumstances apply and determine if there is a valid reason to complete an Alternative Identity assessment by phone. Note: for customers unable to provide a Commencement of Identity (CoI) document, consider using Services Australia resources to verify birth or arrival on behalf of the customer. See Commencement of Identity Close the Customer Summary Window and return to the claim Select SAP to update the Identity Status The presence of a proof of age document on the Identity Summary, the Proof of Identity Details (POI) screen or in a DOC, is evidence that details have been checked against the customer's record and are correct. See Verifying the date of birth or age of a customer or child. Proof of age is required if not previously supplied, unless they are an identified Indigenous customer who is automatically transferred to Age Pension. This will be requested online or on the transfer form. If unable to provide proof of age, their age may be verified by another method.
8	Check if all documentation provided Documents required will vary depending on the customer's circumstances at the time of the Transfer to Age Pension. Check the Tasks (for online or ACC) or SA383 for documents required for the Transfer to Age Pension. Have all documents required for the transfer to Age Pension been provided? Yes, see Table 2 > Step 1 No: if SA383 is lodged and streamed in a service centre, create a Social Application (SOA) shell. For more details, see Indexing, re-indexing and cancelling claim activities. SA383 and supporting documents must be scanned on customer record, go to Step 9 for all other cases, go to Step 9
9	Documents still required If the customer is unable to provide proof of age, see Verifying the date of birth or age of a customer or child. Has it been more than 14 days since the transfer was submitted? Yes. If the customer has: declined the transfer to Age Pension and has not provided the requested documents, see Table 2 > Step 4 accepted the transfer to Age Pension and has not provided the requested documents, see Table 2 > Step 7 No: If further supporting documents are required, but have not been requested, make 2 attempts to contact the customer. Call the customer at different times on the same day where possible, using pre-call SMS before contacting Select > Request Documents. Claim will be automatically held in Process Direct. See Requesting information (CLK) Procedure ends here until the customer has responded to the request for information or due date for return of information has passed

Process transfer to Age Pension in Process Direct

Table 2

Step	Action
1	Check transfer Has the transfer previously been assessed or rejected? Yes, go to Step 2 No, go to Step 3
2	Transfer previously assessed or rejected If a rejected transfer needs to be reassessed, reindex the original claim or create a Social Application (SOA) shell, as appropriate. For more details, see Indexing, re-indexing and cancelling claim activities. Note: if a change of decision from a decline transfer (stay on current payment) is needed, a manual SOA shell needs to be created.
3	Transfer in service centre Is the transfer being processed in a service centre at time of lodgement? Yes: Create a SOA shell. SOA shells have no claim information and require manual coding for all updates. For more information see Indexing, re-indexing and cancelling claim activities Once processed, SA383 and supporting documents must be scanned to store on customer record Go to Step 4 No, go to Step 4
4	Assess Transfer to Age Pension If processing an online claim, Assisted Customer Claim (ACC) or Transfer to Age Pension (SA383) form and the customer has chosen to: Stay on their current payment, go to Step 5 Stay on their current payment until after 1 July, go to Step 6 Transfer to Age Pension, go to Step 7
5	Decline transfer (stay on current payment) Customers who are eligible to transfer to Age Pension are provided with details on the advantages of transferring to Age Pension or remaining on their current payment using information from their record. Service Officers must refer to Table 4 - Payment transfer considerations when a customer reaches Age Pension age for details about Age Pension versus current payment to compare payment options. If the customer's decision to remain on their current payment will disadvantage them, make 2 attempts to contact the customer. Call the customer at different times on the same day where possible, using pre-call SMS, before contacting, where applicable. If customer contact is: successful, tell the customer about the advantages and disadvantages of remaining on their current payment. Confirm their decision to remain on their current payment and DOC the record unsuccessful, DOC the record with details of attempts and process the transfer Select Process The Task Selector on the Errors (SWE) screen preselects required screen/s. Include any others that require updating Select Next On the Record Transfer Decision (RTD) screen select Transfer Declined Select Next to save the RTD decision, which changes the status of the claim to 'Not Required' and converts the claim to a Change of Circumstance (COC) activity If the customer has not provided the requested documentation, use COC activity to suspend payment via Benefit Action (BA) screen. See Suspension of payments (CLK) Update any changes to the customer and partner (if applicable) such as: personal details residence superannuation When all updates are completed, go to the SWE screen and action any errors or warnings Select Assess to go to the Entitlements (ELD) screen Check the customer's rate of payment is correct or the payment was suspended correctly Select Finish Record all relevant information in a DOC including the conversation about being disadvantaged Procedure ends here
6	Stay on current payment until after 1 July If not already completed, make any necessary updates in a separate activity, for example, superannuation products. Finalise these updates and record details in a DOC Hold activity in Process Direct until entitlement period start date (EPSD) of first entitlement period (EP) after 1 July When payment has been issued, for the entitlement period which includes 1 July, process the Transfer to Age activity. The start date on the PNA screen may need to be changed to the date last paid to +1 (The EPSD of the customer’s current entitlement period) to ensure that an overpayment is not incorrectly identified Procedure ends here.
7	Transfer to Age Pension Customers who are eligible to transfer to Age Pension are provided with details on the advantages of transferring to Age Pension or remaining on their current payment using information from their record. Service Officers must refer to Table 4 - Payment transfer considerations when a customer reaches Age Pension age for details about Age Pension versus current payment to compare payment options. If the customer's decision to remain on their current payment will disadvantage them, make 2 attempts to contact the customer. Call the customer at different times on the same day where possible, using pre-call SMS, before contacting, where applicable. If customer contact is: successful, tell the customer about the advantages and disadvantages of remaining on their current payment. Confirm their decision to remain on their current payment and DOC the record unsuccessful, DOC the record with details of attempts and process the transfer Select Process The Task Selector on the Errors (SWE) screen will preselect required screen/s. Include any others that require updating Select Next On the Record Transfer Decision (RTD) screen select Transfer Accepted Select Next Update any changes to the customer and partner (if they have one) such as: personal details residence superannuation accommodation real estate Check the: Payment destination on the PAS screen is correct, and Tax File Number (TFN) screen has auto-populated for AGE Note: some updates are needed on the Accommodation Details (AC) screen for single customers in receipt of RA and transferring to Age Pension when there is an 'EXE' coded in the Sharer Status: field. If the customer's current payment can be paid after they reach Age Pension age, but they have not provided the requested documentation and it cannot be determined whether they would be overpaid: Reject the claim failed to reply to correspondence FRC via the Benefit Action (BA) screen. See Rejecting a claim for Age Pension If the current payment has not ceased, suspend the payment failed to supply documents FSD or failed to reply to correspondence FRC via the Benefit Action (BA) screen. See Suspension of payments (CLK) Record the decision in a DOC outlining the documents that are required to be provided Procedure ends here When all updates are completed, go to the SWE screen and action any errors or warnings. If the edit E510RS 'Assessment under agreement needed before rejecting XXX' displays the customer may need an assessment under an International Agreement. Complete the WLM Technical Assistance - Form - New Item for priority allocation assistance. Select Assess to go to the Entitlements (ELD) screen Check the customer's rate of payment is correct. If the customer has employment income, check to ensure the assessment is correct. For help, see Recording and correcting employment income details Select Finish Record all relevant information in a DOC Procedure ends here Note: if the claim activity encounters errors that cannot be resolved through approved workarounds, a Handover to CF/CR function may be needed. Does the transfer need handover to CF/CR processing? Yes, go to Step 9 No, go to Step 8
8	Age Pension granted Letters If a blindness assessment was undertaken but the customer did not meet the criteria for permanent blindness, issue Q134 letter to advise the reasons for the decision and their review and appeal rights. Customers in receipt of Age Pension (Blind) can choose to receive their Centrelink letters in an accessible format. If the customer is deceased, the grant letter must be inhibited. Issue a manual letter (Q999 or XOB999) to the deceased customer's estate. See: Resources page for example text to use, and Processing a claim after the death of a customer for additional actions to consider Transferring from Disability Support Pension (DSP) - Incentive Allowance For customers transferring from DSP who were previously in receipt of Incentive Allowance (IA), (Note: IA was abolished on 12 November 1991) check at finalisation that the IA has cancelled. If IA remains current, escalate to ICT to ensure the customer does not incur a debt. The Resources page contains a link to mySupport for a webform to escalate the issue. Concession Cards If the customer retains entitlement to the Pensioner Concession Card, a new card is not issued unless the customer requests one. Any new card issued after the transfer is processed shows the primary payment at time of issue. This includes cards sent annually one month before the current card expires. Centrepay deductions If a customer transfers from one Centrepay eligible income support payment to another eligible payment type, their Centrepay deductions may not transfer to the new payment. At the completion of a transfer activity, the Service Officer must ensure any current Centrepay deductions have also been transferred and are showing as being deducted from future income support payments. If not, the Service Officer must recode the deductions. Rent Deduction Scheme (RDS) If a customer transfers from one Payments from which RDS deductions can be made to another eligible payment type, their RDS deductions may not transfer to the new payment. At the completion of a transfer activity, the Service Officer must make sure any current RDS deductions have also been transferred and are showing as being deducted from future income support payments. If not, the Service Officer must recode the deductions. Procedure ends here.
9	Handover function Sometimes an activity may need to be processed in Customer First/Customer Record and the Handover to CF/CR function may be needed. Generally, this is to apply an approved workaround for a known issue/error or gaps in Process Direct. See Handover function in Process Direct, Customer First and Customer Record. Only complete Handover after raising an incident in Roxy and ICT have responded with 'Claim is to be completed in ISIS'. To commence handover: Select > Handover to Customer First/Customer Record From the Change Status screen, select a reason from the drop-down list Once Handover is completed: A warning displays advising the activity has been handed over to Customer First/Customer Record for processing The status changes to 'On Hold - Handover to Customer First/Customer Record' A new activity is created in ISIS The transfer can no longer be accessed in Process Direct, unless it is handed back from Customer Record to Process Direct.

Process transfer to Age Pension in Customer First or Customer Record requiring a handover to Legacy from Process Direct

Table 3

Step	Action
1	Claims handed over to legacy Go to the activity list (AL) screen: 'S'elect the transfer activity and immediately place 'on hold' for one day Re-select the Held activity and resume processing Note: when a claim is handed over, it creates a new work item for Workload Management (WLM) allocation. By placing the claim on hold, it prevents the new work item allocating to another Service Officer.
2	Update customer details At the Customer Details Task Selector (CDTS) screen: select any other relevant screens, which have not already been preselected, and complete any updates needed, for example address and contact details
3	Start processing At the Pension Task Selector (PTS) screen: select any other relevant screens, which have not already been preselected code information as per the transfer claim and supporting documents, see Claiming income support payments from Centrelink for more details Check Pensions Assessment Date (PNA) within the NCL activity is correct. If PNA incorrectly auto populates as the Date of Receipt (DOR), change this.
4	Finalise transfer Before finalising, Service Officers must check the: Payment destination on the PAS screen is correct, and Tax File Number (TFN) screen has auto-populated for AGE Finalise the activity in Customer First via the Assessment Result (AR) screen and select one of the following Fast Note auto templates to create a finalisation DOC. Select Auto Text option: Older Australians > Claims > Age Transfer Granted Older Australians > Claims > Age Transfer Rejected Older Australians > Claims > Age Transfer Declined Follow-up actions in Process Direct for claims finalised in Customer Record or Customer First: check claim status in Process Direct If claim status has not automatically set to Complete, on finalisation of the claim: select the claim transaction and raise an Incident through Roxy choose option 'No, the issue is blocking me' so the claim is place On Hold for System Investigation /Issue retain the work item by using the hold to user function in Work Optimiser Claim status will be set to Complete by ICT Is Age Pension granted? Yes, go to Step 5 No, see Rejecting a claim for Age Pension. Procedure ends here
5	Age Pension granted Letters If a blindness assessment was undertaken but the customer did not meet the criteria for permanent blindness, issue Q134 letter to advise the reasons for the decision and their review and appeal rights. Customers in receipt of Age Pension (Blind) can choose to receive their Centrelink letters in an accessible format. If the customer is deceased, issue a manual letter (Q999 or XOB999) to the deceased customer's estate. See the Resources page for example text to use. Transferring from Disability Support Pension DSP) - Incentive Allowance For customers transferring from DSP who were previously in receipt of Incentive Allowance (IA), (Note: IA was abolished on 12 November 1991) check at finalisation that the IA has cancelled. If IA remains current, escalate to ICT to ensure the customer does not incur a debt. The Resources page contains a link to mySupport for a webform to escalate the issue. Concession Cards If the customer retains entitlement to the Pensioner Concession Card, a new card is not issued unless the customer requests one. Any new card issued after the transfer is processed shows the primary payment at time of issue. This includes cards sent annually one month before the current card expires. Centrepay deductions If a customer transfers from one Centrepay eligible income support payment to another eligible payment type, their Centrepay deductions may not transfer to the new payment. At the completion of a transfer activity, the Service Officer must ensure any current Centrepay deductions have also been transferred and are showing as being deducted from future income support payments. If not, the Service Officer must recode the deductions. Rent Deduction Scheme (RDS) If a customer transfers from one Payments from which RDS deductions can be made to another eligible payment type, their RDS deductions may not transfer to the new payment. At the completion of a transfer activity, the Service Officer must make sure any current RDS deductions have also been transferred and are showing as being deducted from future income support payments. If not, the Service Officer must recode the deductions.

Payment transfer considerations when a customer reaches Age Pension age

Table 4: describes the potential advantages and disadvantages of transferring to Age Pension to help customers decide whether to transfer their payment.

Item	Description
1	Austudy As Austudy has no upper age limit they can choose to transfer to Age Pension or stay on Austudy. Once an Austudy customer reaches Age Pension age they will no longer receive additional payments of Telephone Allowance, Pharmaceutical Allowance or Utilities Allowance as these will be rolled into the Pension Supplement. This will be paid automatically when they reach Age Pension age. Advantages of remaining on current payment There is no student income bank for Age Pension. All unused credits are lost if the customer transfers to Age Pension Existing Austudy customers undertaking an approved scholarship course may qualify for 2 Student Start-up Scholarships per year if: they were getting the scholarship before 1 January 2016, and continuing in the same course Austudy customers undertaking an approved scholarship course may qualify for 2 Student Start-up Loans per year Advantages of transferring to Age Pension Age Pension maximum rate of payment is higher than Austudy More generous income and assets tests Age Pension customers are entitled to a Pensioner Concession Card Improved portability in most circumstances. Age Pensions can be paid indefinitely outside Australia (some exceptions may apply) Access to the Work Bonus is available to Age Pensioners but not to those getting Austudy Age Pension is not subject to an Income Maintenance Period (IMP). Austudy is subject to an IMP if a termination payment or leave payment is received If the customer's principal home is on land greater than 2 hectares, and they have lived there for 20 years or more, then all of the land on the one title may be exempted from the assets test
2	Carer Payment (CP) As CP has no upper age limit, customers can choose to transfer to Age Pension or stay on CP. If they also get Carer Allowance (CA), CA can continue to be paid if they transfer to Age Pension. If they get CA on 1 July, they continue to be entitled for the separate Carer Supplement of up to $600 for each care receiver. CP becomes taxable income when they reach Age Pension age. Once a CP customer reaches Age Pension age, they have access to the Work Bonus whether they remain on CP or transfer to Age Pension. Age Pension does not have the same type of reviews generated as CP. CP customers who have been residing overseas and have returned to Australia for residence and transfer to Age pension within the 2 years from return, will be impacted by former resident portability rules if they travel overseas again within the 2 years from return. Note: if the Transfer to Age Pension is lodged around 1 July, Service Officers should not process the transfer until their first Entitlement Period Start Date (EPSD) after 1 July. This makes sure the carer is paid the Carer Supplement (CS). This includes when a Carer in a 14 week bereavement period or in a 14 week continuation period after the care receiver has been admitted to an institution. Advantages of remaining on current payment type Access to Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) and Education Entry Payment (EdEP) If the customer is single, paying rent and sharing accommodation they may be eligible for a higher rate of Rent Assistance (RA) on CP than if they were getting the age pension. See Sharer Status field on the Accommodation Details (AC) screen for more details Customers that get Carer Payment on 1 July are entitled to an annual Carer Supplement for CP. There is no entitlement to the Carer Supplement if the customer is getting the Age Pension. If the customer is caring for someone other than their partner and that person dies, the customer may be paid a lump sum bereavement payment if the care receiver was either single or had a partner who was not getting an income support payment Note: if the care receiver dies and the 14 week bereavement period ends after 1 July, Service Officers must not transfer a carer to the Age Pension until after this date. This makes sure the carer is paid the annual Carer Supplement payment for CP of $600 Carers that transfer from wife pension under grandfathering provisions (CAR/CUR-XWP) can also get a lump sum bereavement payment for a care receiver that is not their partner as above, provided they were the: only, or last CA care receiver Advantages of transferring to Age Pension Improved portability in most circumstances. Age Pensions can be paid indefinitely outside Australia (some exceptions may apply) Age Pension has no restrictions on ceasing caring. CP customers are restricted in the time they are able to cease caring without affecting eligibility. This includes carers who transferred from Wife Pension under grandfathering provisions (CAR/CUR-XWP). CP qualification is lost if they have a break in payment level Carer Allowance (CA) entitlement Age Pension has no medical review. Carer Payment customers are reviewed to confirm they are continuing to provide care and may need to complete a medical review for the care receiver Age Pension customers that get CA may also be reviewed including medical reviews Age Pension customers are not subject to the Seasonal Work Preclusion Period (SWPP) or an Income Maintenance Period (IMP) if a termination payment or leave payment is received CP carers are restricted to employment, voluntary work or study activities of 25 hours per week. Age Pension no restrictions. Note: carers who transferred from Wife Pension under grandfathering provisions (CAR/CUR-WXP) are not subject to the 25 hour rule If the customer receives CP under the New Zealand (NZ) agreement, they only remain qualified if they are partnered to a Disability Support Pension (DSP) recipient. Age Pension under the NZ agreement does not link dependency to the DSP partner. This means the Age Pension can continue even if the partner loses their DSP or the relationship ends If the customer is a CIS pension customer, also see Item 9 for more details.
3	Disability Support Pension (DSP) DSP has no upper age limit if claimed before reaching Age Pension age. DSP cannot be claimed once Age Pension age is reached as stated in section 28 of Social Security (Administration) Act 1999. If a customer has returned to Australia after living overseas, Service Officers should make sure there is a conversation to determine if they are likely to return overseas within the next 2 years. This should help inform the decision to stay on DSP or to transfer to Age Pension, as they may be affected by former resident provisions if transferred. DSP becomes taxable when they reach Age Pension age. Once a DSP customer reaches Age Pension age, they have access to the Work Bonus whether they remain on DSP or transfer to Age Pension. Payment rates remain the same for DSP/AGE, but there are some additional 'add on' payments that are different. For example, Pensioner Education Supplement (PES), change in Rent Assistance (RA) rate due to sharer provisions. DSP cannot be granted or re-granted after customer has turned Age Pension age. If customer wants to transfer back to DSP for any other reason, they will need to request review of decision. Request for an explanation, quality check or review. Note: if transferred back to DSP following a review of the decision to transfer to Age Pension, they will retain their previous status, for example, DSP grandfathered group/DSP transition group. DSP (Blind) customers Customers who are currently receiving DSP (Blind) free of the means test will be issued a modified version of the SA383 without the superannuation question. These customers are not required to provide any medical documentation to transfer to Age Pension (Blind). If the Pension Disability Information (PDI) screen shows Y in the Means not Disclosed Ind: field, the customer is exempt from the income and asset test and does not have to advise of their income and assets. If the customer receives RA or has a partner who is on or applying for an income support payment (other than Blind), details of the customer's superannuation are needed to determine their partner's eligibility. DSP is suspended due to returning to work These DSP customers are eligible to claim Age Pension using the online transfer, via Assisted Customer Claim (ACC) or Transfer to Age Pension (SA383). As their DSP can be suspended for up to 2 years, they must be contacted to check all details on their record are still current and a reporting regime considered for employment income. As qualification and/or pay ability of DSP and Age Pension is not overlapping or continuous in these cases, the transfer provisions of section 12 of the Social Security (Administration) Act (SSAA) 1999 do not apply to backdating of up to 13 weeks. Where lodgement is after the Age Pension qualification date, the start day must be determined in line with the start day rules for new claims. The References page contains links to the relevant section of the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999. Advantages of remaining on current payment type Access to: Pensioner Education Supplement (PES), and Education Entry Payment (EdEP) For customers currently receiving Incentive Allowance (Note: IA was abolished on 12 November 1991) (see the Permanent Residential Care (PRC) screen) this can only be paid if they are in receipt of DSP Some DSP customers may be eligible for a higher rate of Rent Assistance (RA) if: single paying rent, and sharing accommodation Payment of Carer Payment (CP) under New Zealand (NZ) agreement for the partner may only continue if customer remains on DSP. CP stops if the DSP customer is transferred to Age Pension The customer may get a higher rate of Mobility Allowance (MOB). A customer receiving Age Pension may only get the standard rate of MOB Encourage DSP customers to check with external service providers if they will still be eligible for services they are currently receiving if they transfer to Age Pension (for example, State Government concessions) Advantages of transferring to Age Pension Improved portability in most circumstances Age Pension has no medical review. DSP is subject to medical reviews Age Pension is not subject to an Income Maintenance Period (IMP). DSP is subject to an IMP if a termination payment or leave payment is received If the customer's principal home is on land greater than 2 hectares, and they have lived there for 20 years or more, then all of the land on the one title may be exempted from the Assets test DSP has an upper limit on working hours. A customer may no longer qualify for DSP if they exceed these hours independently of a program of support. Age Pension does not have this restriction If the customer is a CIS pension customer, also see Item 9 for more details.
5	JobSeeker Payment JSP will cancel as eligibility ceases when the customer reaches Age Pension age. A Transfer to Age Pension must be submitted online, via Assisted Customer Claims (ACC) or the Transfer to Age Pension (SA383) returned before Services Australia can determine if the customer is qualified for Age Pension. If a customer does not qualify for Age Pension, consider offering the customer an alternative income support payment where eligible. Payment and Service Finder on the Services Australia website can be used to determine any support the customer may be eligible for.
6	Parenting Payment Partnered (PPP) As PPP has no upper age limit, customers can choose to transfer to Age Pension or stay on PPP. Age Pension has a higher maximum rate of payment is than PPP and provides access to a Pensioner Concession Card (PCC). Once a PPP customer reaches Age Pension age, they will no longer receive separate additional payments of Telephone Allowance (TAL), Pharmaceutical Allowance (PhA) and/or Utilities Allowance (UA) as these will be rolled into the Pension Supplement. This will be paid automatically when they reach Age Pension age. Advantages of remaining on current payment type Access to: Education Entry Payment (EdEP) Participation Support Services The customer may get a higher rate of Mobility Allowance (MOB). If the customer transfers to Age Pension, they may only get the standard rate PPP is a qualifying payment for Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) (transition to work) Advantages of transferring to Age Pension Age Pension maximum rate of payment is higher than for PPP Age Pension has a more generous income test Age Pension can usually be paid indefinitely if a customer is overseas. PPP has restricted portability Access to the Work Bonus is available to Age Pensioners but not to PPP customers Age Pension is not subject to an Income Maintenance Period (IMP). PPP is subject to an IMP if a termination payment is received If the customer's principal home is on land greater than 2 hectares, and they have lived there for 20 years or more, then all of the land on the one title may be exempted from the assets test Age Pension customers are entitled to a Pensioner Concession Card
7	Parenting Payment Single (PPS) As PPS has no upper age limit, customers can choose to transfer to Age Pension or stay on PPS. Age Pension payment is in most circumstances is a higher amount than PPS. Once a PPS customer reaches Age Pension age, they will no longer receive separate additional payments of Telephone Allowance (TAL), Pharmaceutical Allowance (PhA) and/or Utilities Allowance (UA) as these will be rolled into the Pension Supplement. This will be paid automatically when they reach Age Pension age. Advantages of remaining on current payment type Access to: Pension Education Supplement (PES) Education Entry Payment (EdEP) participation support services The customer may get a higher rate of Mobility Allowance (MOB). If the customer transfers to Age Pension, they may only get the standard rate PPS is a qualifying payment for Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) (transition to work) Advantages of transferring to Age Pension Age Pension can usually be paid indefinitely if a customer is overseas. PPS has restricted portability Age Pension has a more generous assets test if the customer is near the assets cut-off threshold for PPS Age Pension maximum rate of payment is higher than for PPS Access to the Work Bonus is available to Age Pensioners but not to PPS customers Age Pension is not subject to an Income Maintenance Period (IMP). PPS is subject to an IMP if a termination or leave payment is received If the customer's principal home is on land greater than 2 hectares, and they have lived there for 20 years or more, then all of the land on the one title may be exempted from the Assets test If the customer is a CIS pension customer, also see Item 9 for more details.
8	Special Benefit (SpB) Once a SpB customer reaches Age Pension age, they will no longer receive separate additional payments of Telephone Allowance (TAL), Pharmaceutical Allowance (PhA) and/or Utilities Allowance (UA) as these will be rolled into the Pension Supplement. This will be paid automatically when they reach Age Pension age. SpB cannot be paid to people who are eligible to receive another income support payment. As the customer has now reached Age Pension age, they must complete and return the Transfer to Age Pension (SA383) form to see if they are eligible for Age Pension. If there is no eligibility to Age Pension, they may continue to be paid SpB. Note: SpB with Temporary visa holder medically qualified for Disability Support Pension (DSP) (TPD) or Temporary visa holder mutual obligation requirements (TPP) visa type will cancel at Age Pension age as SpB with these visa types is age limited. (This processing is unrelated to the transfer to Age Pension process.)
9	International agreements and customers residing or long term outside Disability Support Pension (DSP) - Advantages of remaining on DSP DSP customers who are eligible for indefinite portability and their continuing inability to work (CITW) or permanent blindness occurred while they were an Australian resident are exempt from a proportional rate. If they transfer to Age Pension, portability applies as though they left Australia on Age Pension and they will be paid a proportional rate which will usually be a reduced rate. DSP customers (paid DSP autonomously or under an agreement) who have a partner being paid Carer Payment (CP) under the New Zealand (NZ) Agreement, will cause their partner's CP to cancel if they transfer to Age Pension. For CP to be paid under the NZ agreement the CP recipient must be partnered to a DSP recipient. DSP customers (paid DSP autonomously or under an agreement) who are long-term in NZ will have their proportional in-NZ rate changed to the Age Pension in-NZ present long-term rate. Check customer's circumstances if this will be a reduced rate. Advantages of transferring to Age Pension DSP customers who are not eligible for indefinite portability would get improved portability as Age Pension is payable indefinitely outside Australia. DSP customers who have the 20 September 2000 or 1 July 2014 proportional rate savings provision will retain the savings provision and the same proportional rate when they transfer to Age Pension, if there’s no break in continuity of entitlement. The rules regarding the savings provisions (including loss of savings if they return to Australia and remain for 26 weeks or longer) are the same for DSP and Age Pension. CP under an agreement - Advantages of remaining on CP under an agreement CP customers paid under the NZ agreement who are long-term in New Zealand will have their proportional in-NZ rate (using partner’s working age residence) changed if they transfer to Age Pension. They will be paid the Age Pension in-NZ present long-term rate using their own working age residence. Check customer's circumstances if this will be a reduced rate. Advantages of transferring to Age Pension under an agreement CP customers who have the 1 July 2014 proportional rate savings provision will retain the savings provision and the same proportional rate when they transfer to Age Pension, if there is no break in continuity of entitlement. The rules regarding the savings provisions (including loss of savings if they return to Australia and remain for 26 weeks or longer) are the same for CP (under an agreement) and Age Pension. Note: for autonomous CP, see Item 2.