Age Pension vs Seniors Health Card 2026: Which One Do You Get?
Compare the Age Pension and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. See income limits, benefits, and which option gives you the most value in 2026.
| Age Pension | Commonwealth Seniors Health Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Fortnightly Rate | $1,144.40/fn (single) | No fortnightly payment (concession card only) |
| Who Is It For | Australians aged 67+ who meet income and asset test thresholds. | Self-funded retirees aged 67+ who do not qualify for Age Pension but have adjusted taxable income under the CSHC threshold. |
| Age Requirement | 67 or older | Age Pension age (67) or older |
| Income Test | Single: $204/fn free area, reduces by 50c/$1. Full pension up to ~$204/fn income. Cuts out at ~$2,492.60/fn. | Single: adjusted taxable income under $152,000/yr. Couple combined: under $244,000/yr. No assets test. |
| Assets Test | Single homeowner: $314,000 (full), $686,250 (cut-off). Non-homeowner: $566,000 / $928,250. | No assets test — income only. |
| Work Requirement | None | None |
| Extras & Supplements | Energy Supplement $14.10/fn. Pension Supplement $81.60/fn. Pensioner Concession Card — PBS medicines, state concessions on rates, energy, transport. | Cheaper PBS medicines ($7.70 per script vs ~$31.60). Bulk-billed GP visits (if practice participates). State government concessions on energy, water, rates, and transport vary by state. Quarterly Energy Supplement of $122.40/yr (single). |
Age Pension
- Fortnightly Rate
- $1,144.40/fn (single)
- Who Is It For
- Australians aged 67+ who meet income and asset test thresholds.
- Age Requirement
- 67 or older
- Income Test
- Single: $204/fn free area, reduces by 50c/$1. Full pension up to ~$204/fn income. Cuts out at ~$2,492.60/fn.
- Assets Test
- Single homeowner: $314,000 (full), $686,250 (cut-off). Non-homeowner: $566,000 / $928,250.
- Work Requirement
- None
- Extras & Supplements
- Energy Supplement $14.10/fn. Pension Supplement $81.60/fn. Pensioner Concession Card — PBS medicines, state concessions on rates, energy, transport.
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
- Fortnightly Rate
- No fortnightly payment (concession card only)
- Who Is It For
- Self-funded retirees aged 67+ who do not qualify for Age Pension but have adjusted taxable income under the CSHC threshold.
- Age Requirement
- Age Pension age (67) or older
- Income Test
- Single: adjusted taxable income under $152,000/yr. Couple combined: under $244,000/yr. No assets test.
- Assets Test
- No assets test — income only.
- Work Requirement
- None
- Extras & Supplements
- Cheaper PBS medicines ($7.70 per script vs ~$31.60). Bulk-billed GP visits (if practice participates). State government concessions on energy, water, rates, and transport vary by state. Quarterly Energy Supplement of $122.40/yr (single).
Which one should you choose?
The Age Pension and CSHC serve different groups. If your income and assets are below the Age Pension thresholds, claim the Age Pension — it pays $1,144.40/fn plus concessions. If your income or assets are too high for Age Pension but your adjusted taxable income is under $152,000/yr (single), the CSHC gives you valuable concessions worth $2,000+/yr (PBS savings, energy, transport) without any fortnightly payment. Many self-funded retirees miss out on the CSHC because they do not realise they are eligible. There is no assets test for the CSHC, so even retirees with significant super or investments can qualify if their drawn income stays under the threshold.
General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with Services Australia.