1) I would like to know the disadvantages (if any) of changing from Disability to Aged Pension (Centrelink has given me the choice of staying on DSP or being an Aged Pensioner, i hope they are not misleading me on this).



2) If I sign up for the Aged Pension, will my wife lose her Partner Allowance and be placed on Newstart (she is not getting a carer allowance).



1.There is no disadvantage on being on the Age Pension and you will not be given the choice.

As you are already on benefit you do not need to apply for the Age Pension.





2. Your wife is currently on Partner Allowance which from 20th March was $409 per fortnight which is the married rate of Newstart anyway.



So no difference but she will still have to fill in that form every 6 months until she is old enough to be transferred onto the Age Pension which will also take place automatically unless you do something to stop it.



I always reckon best to leave them to it - once you start off something different it can go horribly wrong.



Look here just click your mouse onto it.

Look here.



http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/partner.htm



http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/age_rates.htm



http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/pay_how_dsp.htm





Check it for your self Age and Disability are the same payment.



Partner Allowance is same for both. (Newstart.without the diary and job search.)



Have a lovely safe Easter and stop worrying!!!!!!



You will not be disadvantaged whatsoever at all.

Why not contact Centrelink and ask for an appointment with a social worker. Usually when you have an appointment with them you talk about your situation and then the social worker gets all the information for you as to the best way for you to go.So do not stress over the break but as others have said it is best to get things sorted before your birthday , as we all know it is not one of Centrelinks best practices to do things quickly they take almost as much time as the mating of elephants-two years with a lot of noise.

Thanks for replying to my question



I rang Centrelink and I was told that as i was going from one pension to another, my wife's Partner Allowance would stay the same, the only way she could lose it is if she, (or I) took a full-time job. Or have some other high income. In today’s economic climate, I think that’s unlikely, particularly as my partner and I are living in an area of very high unemployment and have been so for many, many years even during the low unemployment (LOL) of the last 10 years.



I also paid my local Centrelink a visit and was given the same advice as I received from the phonecall.



So, I intend to sign away my Disability Pension and join the ranks of the Centrelink seniors.



I loved Big Vals comment on Centrelink and I totally agree with her.



“I always reckon best to leave them to it - once you start off something different it can go horribly wrong.”



I have always been very careful about what I tell Centrelink, if you give them too much information, things indeed can go HORRIBLY WRONG! As I’ve found several times, this is why I’m being so careful.



Cheers



Jonno

I would be much more worried about "Not Telling Centrelink Everything" as they can come back at you for every cent if you are not honest. That is what receiving a pension is all about Needing It. The Pension is for people who have not enough saved for retirement to live a life

and I think Centrelink do need to make sure only those who meet all criteria (nothing hidden) receive it.

There are always people ready to dob but Taxpayers would be in a real pickle probably without them.

I would be much more worried about "Not Telling Centrelink Everything"



as they can come back at you for every cent if you are not honest.



That is I think Centrelink do need to make sure only those who meet all criteria (nothing hidden) receive it.

There are always people ready to dob but Taxpayers would be in a real pickle probably without them.



Hello Phyl



You have obviously misread my posting, i said nothing about being dishonest or misleading Centrelink. I take exception to your suggestion that i'm being dishonest.



Cheers and goodbye

Jonno

Thanks for replying to my question

I have always been very careful about what I tell Centrelink, if you give them too much information, things indeed can go HORRIBLY WRONG! As I’ve found several times, this is why I’m being so careful.



Cheers



Jonno