Living Overseas: Can You Still Receive the Age Pension?
For many older Australians, the idea of retiring abroad — whether for warmer weather, a lower cost of living, or to be closer to family — is a lifelong dream. But what happens to your Age Pension if you decide to live overseas? Can you still receive payments? What rules apply?
What Is the Age Pension?
The Age Pension is a government payment designed to support older Australians in retirement. To qualify, you must meet age, income, and asset requirements, as well as residency conditions. As of 2025, the qualifying age is 67 for those born after January 1, 1957.
The pension is administered by Services Australia and funded by the federal government. For many retirees, it forms the backbone of their income — so understanding what happens to those payments when you move abroad is essential.
Can You Receive the Age Pension Overseas?
In short: yes, but with conditions. You can continue receiving the Age Pension while living outside Australia — either temporarily or permanently — but the amount and eligibility may change depending on how long you’ve lived in Australia, where you’re going, and for how long.
Here’s how it breaks down:
- Temporary absence: If you leave Australia for less than six weeks, your pension and supplements remain unchanged.
- Extended travel: After six weeks, your Energy Supplement stops, and some benefits may reduce depending on your residency history.
- Permanent move: You can still receive payments overseas, but rates may be affected by how long you lived in Australia between ages 16 and Age Pension age.
The 35-Year Rule
Australia uses a “Working Life Residence” rule. If you’ve lived in Australia for 35 years between age 16 and your pension age, you’re eligible to receive the full Age Pension rate overseas. If you’ve lived fewer years, your payments may be reduced proportionally.
For example, if you lived in Australia for only 20 of those 35 years, you’ll receive roughly 20/35ths of the full pension rate when overseas.
The payment will be reviewed every two years and adjusted if your circumstances change.
What About Supplement Payments?
Not all supplements are portable. While you can continue receiving the basic pension, some additions are affected:
- Energy Supplement: Stops after six weeks overseas.
- Pension Supplement: Paid at a reduced rate after six weeks abroad.
- Rent Assistance: Ends as soon as you leave Australia.
This means that even if your base pension remains, the total fortnightly payment may drop significantly once you’ve been overseas for more than six weeks.
Countries With Agreements
Australia has Social Security Agreements with more than 30 countries — including New Zealand, Italy, Greece, the UK, and several EU nations. These agreements may help you:
- Qualify for the pension even if you haven’t lived in Australia for the full 10 years minimum
- Receive payments more easily while living abroad
- Avoid payment interruptions if you split your residency
A full list is available on the Services Australia website.
Reporting Obligations
You must inform Centrelink if you:
- Intend to leave Australia permanently or for more than six weeks
- Change your overseas address
- Have changes in your income, assets, or marital status
Failing to report these changes can result in overpayments — which you may be required to repay — or even suspension of your payments.
How to Manage Payments Overseas
If you’re approved to receive the Age Pension overseas, payments are typically made into an Australian bank account. However, Services Australia also offers International Direct Deposit to many countries, allowing you to receive payments in local currency.
Currency fluctuations can affect how much you receive, so some retirees keep a domestic account and manage transfers manually.
Other Considerations
Keep in mind:
- Living costs may vary drastically overseas — your pension may stretch further or less, depending on your destination.
- Health care access varies. You may lose access to Medicare, requiring local insurance or out-of-pocket costs.
- Returning to Australia may involve waiting periods or residency tests before restoring full benefits.
Can You Travel and Keep the Pension?
Yes. Many Australians live part of the year abroad and part at home. As long as you follow the rules and notify Centrelink, this hybrid lifestyle is entirely legal — but payment levels will still depend on time spent in Australia and total working-life residency.
“The pension is portable, but it’s not limitless,” says Amanda Wyatt, retirement specialist at National Seniors Australia. “Planning and transparency are key.”
Final Thoughts
Retiring abroad can be an enriching experience — offering new cultures, lower costs, and fresh beginnings. But make sure your financial foundation is secure. Understanding how the Age Pension works overseas is essential before booking that one-way ticket.
For personalised advice, it’s best to speak to Services Australia directly, or consult a financial adviser familiar with international retirement.
The sun may shine just as brightly in Spain, Thailand, or Fiji — but your pension won’t follow unless you’ve done your homework.