Client Services
Tailored services to simplify your Age Pension journey
Age Pension Consultation
$150 flat fee
Service Description
Our Age Pension Consultation provides you with a clear understanding of how the Age Pension works and how it applies to your unique situation. During this consultation, we will cover key topics, including:
Age and Residency Eligibility: Determine if you meet the basic criteria.
Assets and Income Tests: Understand how the assets test and income test work and how they will impact your entitlements.
We then personalise this information by applying it to your specific circumstances, ensuring you have a thorough understanding of what you may be entitled to receive.
Depending on the complexity of your circumstances, we may be able to provide you with a estimate of your likely entitlements.
If applying for the Age Pension is relevant to you, we guide you through the application process, ensuring you’re set up to receive the correct payments. Along the way, we share valuable hints and tips, and provide additional assistance if needed.
This consultation is the ideal starting point before proceeding with our Age Pension Application Package or Age Pension Support Package.
Age Pension Application Package
Service Fees
Base Fee Packages (includes dedicated hours):
Single Pensioner: $600
Member of a Couple: $720
Pensioner Couple: $840
Complexity Add-Ons: An additional fee of $120 per complexity applies (maximum $360). Complexities include:
Companies, trusts, or partnerships
Sole trader business operations
Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs)
Rental properties
Partially assessable primary residences
Foreign income or assets
How it Works: For every $120 charged (base fee + complexity add-ons), you receive up to one hour of our expert time.
Service Description
Applying for the Age Pension can be a daunting task, especially if paperwork isn't your strength, you're not tech-savvy, or you find the process too complex. Our service is designed to provide complete support, whether you prefer not to interact with Centrelink directly or simply need expert assistance to navigate the application.
We are committed to making the process as smooth and stress-free as possible, ensuring you receive the guidance you need every step of the way.
Our Step-by-Step Process
Our comprehensive package includes full management of the entire application journey:
Initial Data Collection: We personally guide you through any application questions you are unsure of.
Supporting Document Collection: We assist in gathering all necessary documents and ensure they are in Centrelink's acceptable formats.
Application Completion: We meticulously complete your application online, taking care of every detail.
Document Uploading: We handle the digital submission of all your required supporting documents.
Application Submission: We ensure your completed application is submitted accurately and on time.
Troubleshooting Delays: We proactively address any issues that might cause delays in processing your claim.
Application Follow-up: We consistently monitor the status of your application with Centrelink until it is approved.
Outcome Verification: Upon completion, we check the final assessment to ensure you have been evaluated correctly and are receiving your full entitlement.
Important Notes:
Important Service Details
Eligibility Clause: This service presumes you are eligible for the Age Pension. If we begin the process and determine you are not eligible, our time will be invoiced at our reduced rate of $120 per hour (minimum charge of $180). The balance of any fee paid will be promptly refunded to you.
Additional Time: Should your application's complexity require support beyond the hours included in your package, any extra time will be invoiced at the end of each month at the same reduced rate of $120 per hour.
Alternative Support: If you decide not to proceed with a package but still require ad-hoc assistance with your application, our standard support rate is $150 per hour.
Age Pension Client Support Package
Service Fees
$600 per annum for single pensioners, and couples (base rate)
add $60 per additional complexity up to a maximum of $180 eg Company, Trust, Sole Trader, SMSF, rental property, primary residence partially assessable, foreign income/assets.
Service Description
Navigating the complexities of your Age Pension can be challenging, but we’re here to make the process seamless. This package will help you meet your Centrelink obligations and also provide you with access to ongoing advice and advocacy.
What’s Included in Our Age Pension Support Package:
Ongoing Advice and Advocacy: We provide continuous support throughout the duration of the package, assisting with various situations, including:
Monitoring changes to your pension amount and addressing any questions or concerns.
Assessing the impact of potential life changes on your pension.
Updating your Centrelink details as needed.
Offering guidance and ensuring appropriate responses when Centrelink contacts you.
Assisting with completing cost of Care Forms including SA 456, SA 457 and SA 485.
Regular Updates: Stay informed with our regular emails, featuring:
Summaries of significant changes in Centrelink policy.
Updates on pension amounts and thresholds that may affect your entitlements.
Quarterly Reviews: We conduct up to four in-depth reviews each year to ensure your pension benefits are accurate. During these reviews, we:
Access your Centrelink account to verify the assets and income being assessed.
Calculate the pension benefit you should receive and compare it to your current payments, resolving any discrepancies.
Share the data with you for verification, requesting any necessary documentation (e.g., bank statements, investment valuations, financial statements).
Update your Centrelink details and submit supporting documents, following up to ensure all changes are correctly implemented.
Throughout these reviews, we identify potential risks, such as breaching the assets test, and explore opportunities to maximise your pension entitlement.
Age Pension Support Package Fees:
Service Time: This package includes up to 5 hours of support at a reduced rate of $120 per hour. Add an additional half hour for each complexity charged for.
Additional Time: If the service exceeds the allocated hours, additional time will be billed at the same reduced rate.
Non-Refundable Fee: The package fee is non-refundable.
Important Considerations:
Maintenance Focus: This package is designed to maintain your current pension circumstances. If your situation requires initial remediation, it is important to be aware that it is likely that the time required to provide all of the services in this package will exceed the time allowed and therefore it is likely that additional fees will apply.
Alternative Support: If you opt not to take up this package but require assistance, our Age Pension Advocacy and Advice Fee will apply.
Cost of Care Package
Service Fees
$600 per annum for single pensioners, and couples (base rate)
add $50 per additional complexity up to a maximum of $150 eg Company, Trust, Sole Trader, SMSF, rental property, primary residence partially assessable, foreign income/assets.
Service Description
Navigating the complexities of Aged Care can be challenging, there are so many parts to the process. Let us help you with ensuring that your Centrelink Account is up to date and that the forms that determine your cost of care are completed correctly.
What’s Included in Our Age Pension Support Package:
Updating Centrelink: We will guide you through the process of updating Centrelink to ensure that you are being assessed correctly. Any disparities will be corrected and a pension check conducted to ensure that your Age Pension benefit is correct.
Cost of Care Forms: We will assist you with completing cost of Care Forms including SA 456, SA 457 and SA 485.
Cost of Care Package Fees:
Service Time: This package includes up to 5 hours of support at a reduced rate of $120 per hour.
Additional Time: If the service exceeds the allocated hours, additional time will be billed at the same reduced rate.
Non-Refundable Fee: The package fee is non-refundable.
Important Considerations:
Cost of Care Calculations: Are not included in this service. This can only be done by Centrelink. The purpose of the package is to ensure that the information that Centrelink uses to calculate age care fees is correct.
Remediation Focus: This package is designed to bring your Centrelink Account up to date. If your situation is significantly different to your current situation, this may be a complex process. You should be aware that if this is the case, it is likely that the time required to provide all of the services in this package will exceed the time allowed and therefore it is likely that additional fees will apply
Alternative Support: If you opt not to take up this package but require assistance, our Age Pension Advocacy and Advice Fee will apply.
Age Pension Support Package: If you are struggling to stay on top of your obligations to keep Centrelink updated, consider taking up our Age Pension Support Package.
Age Pension Advocacy and Account Remediation
$150 per hour / $100 minimum
Service Description
If you need help managing your interactions with Centrelink but prefer not to commit to our Age Pension Support Package, we can still provide the support you need. By appointing us as your Correspondence Nominee, we’ll be able to:
Access your Centrelink account
Upload and submit documents on your behalf
Update your income and assets online
Communicate directly with Centrelink for you
This service is ideal for those who handle their own updates with Centrelink but need expert assistance with more complex issues as they arise. We can also lodge review requests and formal appeals when necessary.
Age Pension Advice
$150 per hour / $100 minimum
Service Description
If you have specific questions or need expert advice, this service is designed for you. Whether you're curious about how Centrelink will treat your superannuation once it’s converted to an income stream, concerned about the impact of an inheritance on your benefits, or exploring ways to increase your entitlements, we’re here to help with a wide range of issues.
Please note that as we are not your Correspondence Nominee, we are unable to interact with Centrelink directly on your behalf.
This service is ideal for those who only require assistance on an ad hoc basis.
Travel
$100 minimum
Service Description
We offer flexible meeting options to suit your preferences. You can choose to meet at my home office, your home, your place of business, or even at a coffee shop of your choice. If you prefer that I do the travelling, an additional fee will apply, based on the distance travelled and time taken, with a minimum charge of $100. Please enquire for a firm price if this is your preferred option.
For your convenience, virtual meetings via Zoom, FaceTime, or Messenger video are always available as an alternative.