Preparing for Retirement

Changes to the Age Pension age

The qualifying age for the age pension is increasing

From 1 July 2017, the qualifying age for the age pension increased from 65 to 65.5 years.  It will rise by 6 months every two years reaching 67 by 1 July 2023 for both men and women. The changes will be introduced four years after women’s qualifying age for the Age Pension has reached 65, under existing rules (in 2013).

The table below shows the gradual increase in women’s qualifying age for the Age Pension over the period leading up to 1 July 2013, and then the increase in qualifying age for both men and women from 1 July 2017.

You may also find the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation’s 3rd Act Retirement programme of interest.

 Year born  Women eligible at age Men eligible at age
Before 1/7/1935 60 65
Between 1/7/1935 and 31/12/1936 60.5 65
Between 1/1/1937 and 30/6/1938 61 65
Between 1/7/1938 and 31/12/1939 61.5 65
Between 1/1/1940 and 30/6/1941 62 65
Between 1/7/1941 and 31/12/1942 62.5 65
Between 1/1/1943 and 30/6/1944 63 65
Between 1/7/1944 and 31/12/1945 63.5 65
Between 1/1/1946 and 30/6/1947 64 65
Between 1/7/1947 and 31/12/1948 64.5 65
Between 1/1/1949 and 30/6/1952 65 65
Between 1/7/1952 and 31/12/1953 65.5 65.5
Between 1/1/1954 and 30/6/1955 66 66
Between 1/7/1955 and 31/12/1956 66.5 66.5
From 1/1/1957 67 67