Last amended: 14 March 2024
What is a service pension?
Service pension is a means tested income support payment, that provides a regular income for people with limited means. Service pension is broadly equivalent to the Centrelink age and disability support pensions. Although similar to such pensions, service pension has a certain advantage over the equivalent Centrelink payments in that Service Pension is payable from the age of 60 compared to 67 years of age for Social Security Age Pension.
When is it paid?
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.
Who is eligible for service pension?
Service pension is primarily payable to veterans. However, the VEA also provides for payment of service pension to certain partners and certain widows/widowers of veterans.
Different types of service pension
There are three different forms of service pension:
- age,
- invalidity, and
- partner.
Factors that affect the rate of service pension
There are a number of factors that determine the rate of service pension, such as:
Allowances and benefits accessed by a service pensioner
There are a number of allowances and benefits that can be accessed by a service pensioner, if the person meets the relevant eligibility criteria.
Restrictions on dual pensions
Restrictions exist on the payment of dual pensions.