Overwhelmed and confused
Anna’s situation
Anna had been on the Age Pension and things were fine. However, the benefit stopped when she downsized her home, moved to a unit and purchased another rental unit. She rented this to her son.
Reporting this information to Centrelink is hard and the payment stopped due to incorrect information supplied, lack of understanding, slow response to poorly worded requests for information and pure frustration.
How we helped
PensionHelp was able to complete Anna’s claim and accurately report her information to Centrelink. She now receives $165 per fortnight ($4,290 per year) under the Asset Test.
Retiring to the renovator’s dream
Sue and Phillip’s situation
Sue and Phillip are ages 62 and 66. They have worked hard in their own business and have loved life.
They had an offer to sell the timber business that included quarterly payments of $50,000 for three years if certain business targets continued to be met.
In planning their retirement, they purchased a coastal home that they can renovate over time, close enough to a boat ramp so they could get out on the water in between renovations.
They applied for the Age Pension, but it was endless paperwork given their previous business and they had no idea if they could even receive a benefit.
How we helped
Through their financial adviser, they had received some great advice around their business sale and superannuation of about $700,000 combined.
We were still able to achieve an Age Pension for Phillip of $485 per fortnight ($12,610 per year) under the Asset Test. Sue will have to wait until her 67th birthday to be eligible.
Not sure where to start
Allan’s situation
Allan was informally renting accommodation at a residence owned by an elderly couple. He was 70 and had not worked for some time. He was the first to admit he didn’t keep on top of his superannuation or know what he was eligible for.
He was concerned about how long his savings of about $150,000 in super would last.
How we helped
We assisted Allan to apply for the Age Pension and rent assistance and supplements.
Allan now receives a life-changing amount of $1,090 per fortnight ($28,340 per year) which includes rent assistance.
A new life
Mary’s situation
Mary and her husband had been on the Age Pension. At the time of their separation, Mary did the right thing and informed Centrelink of her relationship and residential change.
This resulted in a very quick and unexpected reduction to her Age Pension. Her relationship status changed to single and half of the family home she had just left quickly became an assessable asset.
How we helped
As Mary went through her financial separation and potential income options it was important to keep Centrelink updated with the correct information. More important was understanding how these changes were going to impact her income.
Having someone assist and clearly explain her financial choices gave Mary more confidence and comfort at this difficult time. She knew her payment was correct so there were no nasty surprises.
A passion for fast cars
Roslyn and Terry’s situation
Roslyn and Terry, had a passion for fast cars and this was something they had more time for in retirement. They were both on the Age Pension and managed their money and expenses well.
However, after applying for the Age Pension, the excitement of buying and selling old cars was more exciting than reviewing their Centrelink assets and updating their bank balances.
How we helped
After reviewing their Centrelink Age Pension with us, it was clear that a lot had changed, which included selling and making some gains on a car here and there and also the purchase (and sometimes expense) of a new passion motor project.
Roslyn and Terry ended up increasing their Age Pension by $50 each per fortnight ($2,600 per year). They understand the importance of staying on top of their listed details due to the changes to their portfolio.
Forever farmer Pete
Pete’s situation
We were contacted by Pete who was not sure where to start for his Age Pension claim.
Pete was 79 years old and had been working on his farm his entire life. Life had its ups and downs and Pete never complained or asked for too much.
He did contact Centrelink to ask about his eligibility to claim the pension but didn’t feel any more confident after his encounter with Centrelink.
Pete is single but his son and his son’s family live on the farm in a separate dwelling. The cattle farm is 160 hectares and he has never really stopped ‘working’. The farm produces a small income of $30,000 per annum after expenses and losses.
How we helped
We helped Pete understand the land exemption based on producing an income, the impact of having family living on the land and the assessment of his other farm assets like tractors and sheds.
It took time, like all great things, but Pete now receives a part Age Pension of $460 per fortnight ($11,960 per year) under the Income Test.