From 20 September 2025 the maximum full Age Pension increases $29.70 per fortnight for a single person, and $44.80 combined ($22.40 per person) per fortnight for a couple.
There are no extra payments for Centrelink customers. If you're not sure if Centrelink information you've seen online is real, search our genuine websites. See the link in the comments for more info 👇 The Guringai Festival had a story about a $750 one off payment for pensioners in December, 2025.
Pension increases for 2025 varied, with U.S. Social Security seeing a 2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) in January, while some state/local pensions (like NY State) had smaller increases (e.g., 1.2%) and different schedules, and federal COLA estimates for 2026 were announced later in 2025 (around 2.8%). Key changes included higher IRS limits for retirement plans and increased Social Security taxable maximums for 2025, with varying boosts based on inflation data for the prior year.
Who Will Receive the $1,100 Centrelink Bonus. The bonus will be automatically issued to eligible Australians receiving approved Centrelink payments. Those expected to qualify include: Age Pension recipients.
Likely Eligible Groups:
Age Pension recipients. Disability Support Pension (DSP) recipients. Carer Payment beneficiaries. Part pensioners (depending on income and asset thresholds)
Latest Age Pension rate changes (from 20 September 2025)
Single: $1,178.70 per fortnight (approximately $30,646 per year) Couple (each): $888.50 per fortnight (approximately $23,101 per year) Couple (combined): $1,777.00 per fortnight (approximately $46,202 per year)
The Centrelink $1144 payment refers to a significant cost-of-living boost available to eligible Australians receiving key income support payments such as JobSeeker, Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, and others.
The dollar amount increase to checks will vary depending on a person's benefit amount, but the average Social Security Retirement benefit, $2,008.31 in July 2025, will grow by about $56.
The Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary, has announced the details for the Christmas Bonus, which will be paid to approximately 1.5 million people this week including pensioners, carers and people with disabilities.
The maximum level of earnings protected by the CPP was also increased by 14% over 2024 and 2025. Your pension will increase based on how much and for how long you contribute to the enhanced CPP.
Note:
Yes, US pensioners will get a rise in 2026, with Social Security benefits increasing by 2.8% (Cost-of-Living Adjustment or COLA) starting in January 2026, based on inflation measured up to late 2025, adding about $56 to the average monthly payment. This COLA also applies to other Social Security programs like disability and survivor benefits, while Federal retirees (FERS/CSRS) have different rules, with CSRS getting the full 2.8% but FERS typically seeing a smaller increase.
If your assets exceed the threshold, your Age Pension will gradually decrease. For example: A single homeowner with more than $321,500 in assets will start to see a decrease in their Age Pension payments. If their assets reach $714,500, their Age Pension payments will be reduced to $0.
The government has confirmed that no further Cost of Living Payments are planned for 2025. This means there will not be a new payment (such as the rumoured £450 payment) this year. Future financial support will depend on government decisions and the wider economy, including inflation and energy prices.
To be eligible for Age Pension you must be Age Pension age and meet some other rules. Age Pension age is 67 years or older. We use income and assets tests to work out how much Age Pension you get. There are several things to consider when you're preparing to claim Age Pension.
Centrelink payments have been indexed by 2.4% to keep pace with inflation. This adjustment affects various payments, including the Age Pension. The income and asset thresholds for Centrelink payments have also been increased.
In 2025, the Christmas Bonus is 100% of your normal weekly payment. The minimum Bonus amount that is paid is €20. If an Increase for a Qualified Adult is paid directly to your dependent spouse, civil partner or cohabitant, the Christmas Bonus is also paid directly to them.
A 100% Christmas Bonus will be paid in the week beginning 1 December 2025 excluding Casual Jobseeker's who will be paid in the week beginning 8 December 2025. Please note a minimum bonus amount of €20 will be paid. You may receive the bonus if you are getting: Back to Education Allowance *
The extra $144 added to Social Security usually comes from the Medicare Part B Giveback benefit, offered by some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, which pays back some or all your Part B premium, showing up as extra money in your check if it's deducted from your Social Security. To qualify, you need Original Medicare (Parts A & B), pay your own Part B premium, live in a plan's service area, and enroll in a specific Medicare Advantage plan that offers this "rebate," with the amount varying by plan and location.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that beneficiaries will receive a 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026. This increase will affect nearly 71 million Americans who receive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
Pension increases for 2025 varied, with U.S. Social Security seeing a 2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) in January, while some state/local pensions (like NY State) had smaller increases (e.g., 1.2%) and different schedules, and federal COLA estimates for 2026 were announced later in 2025 (around 2.8%). Key changes included higher IRS limits for retirement plans and increased Social Security taxable maximums for 2025, with varying boosts based on inflation data for the prior year.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced a special $680 one-time payment for 2025, designed to support low-income individuals and families dealing with rising living expenses. This initiative is part of the government's program to reduce financial stress, offering direct cash support to qualified taxpayers.
We can confirm there are NO one-off payments due to be made by Centrelink.