Service pension

Service pensions provide a regular income for people with limited means. A service pension can be paid to veterans on the grounds of age or invalidity, and to eligible partners, widows and widowers.

The age service pension paid to veterans who have qualifying service and the partner service pension paid to eligible partners, widows and widowers, are paid 5 years earlier than the age pension paid by Centrelink. This recognises the intangible effects of war that may result in premature ageing of the veteran and/or loss of earning power. Invalidity service pension may be granted at any age up to the age of 65 years.

The service pension is paid fortnightly, based on daily entitlements. The rate of service pension is adjusted twice-yearly, in March and September, in line with movements in the cost of living and/or average wages.

Service pension is subject to the income and assets tests. The rate of pension that is paid depends on the amount of income you receive and the assets you have. If you are a member of a couple, your pension is calculated on your combined income and assets, regardless of which one of you actually receives the income or owns the assets. Special income and assets test rules apply to any income support pensioner who is blind.

See also:

• IS01 Service pension overview (PDF 142kB)
• IS02 How to claim for a service pension (PDF 100kB)
• IS25 Service and Social Security Age Pension Rates and Limits Summary(PDF 102kB)
• IS44 Age and invalidity service pension
• IS45 Partner service pension
• IS147 Blind pensioners

In eligibility and how to make a claim is available online.

Detailed information about pensions, allowances and other payments can be found in You and Your Pension.