Age Pension customer going overseas 065-03070000

Bruce arrived in Australia from South Africa at age 66 years, and was granted Age Pension at age 76. Bruce is departing Australia for 12 months from early October for a holiday in South Africa to spend time with family. Bruce receives the maximum rate of pension payment.

Bruce's Age Pension is portable indefinitely and will continue to receive the full rate of pension for the first 26 weeks of absence from Australia.

The full pension rate will include the Pension Supplement for the first 6 weeks of Bruce's absence. After 6 weeks, the basic pension rate and only the Pension Supplement Basic Amount is payable.

After 26 weeks, the Age Pension will be proportionalised based on Bruce's working life residence (WLR). As Bruce has no WLR because of the arrival in Australia after already turning pension age, the payment will stop.

Bruce will have to reapply for Age Pension and provide proof of Australian residence on return to Australia.

Sarah, who was born in Australia and always lived here, decided to go on a world trip after turning Age Pension age. Sarah is leaving Australia in February for a holiday of around 12 months. Sarah is receiving the maximum rate of Age Pension.

Sarah's Age Pension is portable indefinitely and will continue to be paid at the normal rate of pension for the first 6 weeks of the absence. After 6 weeks, the normal basic rate of Age Pension will continue but the Pension Supplement will reduce to the Pension Supplement Basic Amount.

After 26 weeks, the Age Pension will be proportionalised based on Sarah's working life residence (WLR). As Sarah has always lived in Australia, the WLR is the maximum 420/420.

Sarah is also continuing to pay rent and will continue to qualify for Rent Assistance for 26 weeks after leaving Australia.

Mary, born on 17 August 1940, arrived for permanent residence on 1 November 1975 and lived in Australia until 2 November 1985.

Mary departed Australia and lived in Canada for the next 20 years.

Mary returned to Australia on 1 November 2005 at age 65 and was granted Age Pension.

Mary left Australia again on 14 August 2014 to start living in Canada.

Mary's Age Pension is portable indefinitely. Mary is entitled to the full pension rate and the Pension Supplement Basic Amount but RA will cease from departure. Mary is entitled to be paid the full rate of Age Pension for the first 26 weeks after which the rate is proportional based on 121/420 of the full (income and asset tested) pension rate (Mary had 10 years between ages 35 and 45 that can be counted as WLR, the odd days are rounded up to another month).

Nick, a Greek-born Age Pensioner, is leaving for a short holiday of 5 weeks in Greece. Nick receives RA and Pension Supplement. Nick is receiving the maximum pension rate.

There will be no change to the entitlement. Nick will continue to receive RA, Pension Supplement and the maximum pension rate while overseas.