5.11.3 Rate of Seniors Supplement

Note: Seniors supplement was paid from 20 September 2009 to 20 June 2015.  The following information is provided for historical purposes only.

Annual rate

The annual rate of seniors supplement (SSup) was worked out by applying the applicable percentage in the below table to the combined couple rate of minimum pension supplement and [glossary::3157] for service pension.    

Daily rate

The daily rate of SSup was worked out by dividing the person's annual rate by 364.

Payment 

SSup was paid by instalments. Each instalment was approximately one-quarter of the annual rate. An instalment was paid as soon as practicable on or after each SSup test day.

The amount of the instalment was worked out by multiplying the person's daily rate of SSup by the number of days during the test period for which the person qualified for SSup.    

Seniors supplement test days and test period

The following dates are known as SSup test days:

• 20 March
• 20 June
• 20 September
• 20 December.

The test period started on the most recent supplement test day and ended on the day immediately before the current test day.

For example, the period between the 20 June and 20 September test days is 92 days. To receive the full payment the person must have been eligible for all 92 days.

If you became eligible 46 days before the test date you would have received 46 days of supplement, that is 46/92 or half the quarterly payment.