The Age Pension age is 67 for both men and women. You must have reached this age before you can qualify for the Age Pension.
The Age Pension age gradually increased from 65 to 67, with the final increase taking effect on 1 July 2023. No further increases are legislated.
How has the Age Pension age changed?
If you reached Age Pension age before 1 July 2023, your pension age depended on your date of birth. The previous Age Pension ages are shown in the table below.
| Date of birth | Age Pension age | Date that Age Pension age changes |
|---|---|---|
| Born between 1 January 1954 and 30 June 1955 | 66 years | 1 July 2019 |
| Born between 1 July 1955 and 31 December 1956 | 66 years and 6 months | 1 July 2021 |
| Born from 1 January 1957 onwards | 67 years | 1 July 2023 |
Source: Services Australia
The Age Pension age is now the same for men and women. It was once lower for women, but the female pension age was gradually increased from 60 until it reached the same age as for men in 2014.
When can I apply for the Age Pension?
You do not need to wait until you turn 67 to submit your claim. You can lodge an Age Pension claim with Services Australia up to 13 weeks before you reach Age Pension age, so your application can be assessed ahead of time.
Use our Age Pension age calculator to find your Age Pension age and the earliest date you can qualify for the Age Pension.
Does turning 67 mean I qualify for the Age Pension?
No. Reaching Age Pension age is only one of the eligibility requirements.
To qualify for the Age Pension, you generally also need to:
- meet the residency requirements
- meet the Income test
- meet the Assets test.
Your income and assets determine whether you qualify for a full or part Age Pension, or whether your income or assets are too high to receive a pension.
See our guide to Age Pension eligibility requirements for more information.
What if I reach 67 but don’t qualify for the Age Pension?
If you have reached Age Pension age but don’t qualify for the Age Pension, you may still qualify for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).
There is no assets test for the CSHC, and its income limits are considerably higher than the Age Pension income limits. The card can provide access to cheaper medicines, health care and other concessions.
See our guide to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card to learn more about the eligibility rules and income limits.
Is the Service Pension age different?
Yes. The qualifying age for the age Service Pension is 60 for both men and women. You must also meet the relevant service, residency and means-test requirements.
The Service Pension is available to eligible veterans and certain partners and is administered by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), rather than Services Australia.
The Service Pension and Age Pension are different payments and you cannot receive both at the same time.
Summary
The Age Pension age is 67 for both men and women, with no further increases legislated. Reaching 67 does not automatically mean you qualify for the Age Pension. You must also meet the residency requirements and the Income test and Assets test.
If you have reached Age Pension age but your income or assets are too high to receive the Age Pension, you may still qualify for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
The information in this guide is general in nature.