Nearly 10,000 people on the Mornington Peninsula will benefit from a multimillion boost across the next four years following the Morrison Government’s decision to cut deeming rates.
Minister for Families and Social Services Senator Anne Ruston said the changes would benefit about 628,000 age pensioners and more than 455,000 people receiving other payments.
Federal Member for Flinders, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, said the decision will make a difference to the lives of people on the Mornington Peninsula and across Australia.
“The Government has taken a sensible approach to supporting older Australians because we understand that pensioners have finely balanced finances,” Minister Hunt said.
“It will mean more money in the pockets of older Australians. Under the new rates age pensioners whose income is assessed using deeming will receive up to $40.50 a fortnight for couples, $1053 extra a year, and $31 a fortnight for singles, $804 a year.”
“Changes to the deeming rate will also benefit people receiving other income tested payments including the Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment, and income support allowances and supplements such as the Parenting Payment and Newstart.”
The decision will take effect from September in line with the regular indexation of the pension and will be backdated to July 1.
“The lower deeming rate will decrease from 1.75 per cent to 1.0 per cent for financial investments up to $51,800 for single pensioners and $86,200 for pensioner couples. The upper deeming rate will be cut from 3.25 per cent to 3.0 per cent for balances over these amounts,” Minister Ruston said.
“The decision shows the Morrison Government has listened to and acted on the reasonable concerns expressed by older Australians who receive a part pension.”
“While 75 per cent of aged pensioners are not affected by deeming this decision recognises that it is an important issue for those who are.”