Now that Covid is no longer such a thread, international borders have opened, 
Now that Covid is no longer such a thread, international borders have opened, 

all airlines are just waiting for you to jump on a plane  and cruises boats are awaiting new passengers,  
all airlines are just waiting for you to jump on a plane  and cruises boats are awaiting new passengers,  

many retirees start thinking, how long  can I actually be overseas
many retirees start thinking, how long  can I actually be overseas

and still continue receiving my Age Pension.
and still continue receiving my Age Pension.

As anything to do with the Centrelink office, there are strict rules how traveling overseas may affect your payment,
As anything to do with the Centrelink office, there are strict rules how traveling overseas may affect your payment,

of Age Pension or Service Pension received from the DVA office (Department of Veteran's Affairs),
of Age Pension or Service Pension received from the DVA office (Department of Veteran's Affairs),

so it only makes sense to understand those rules before you jump on the plane
so it only makes sense to understand those rules before you jump on the plane

or the cruise liner to enjoy your long-overdue overseas holiday.
or the cruise liner to enjoy your long-overdue overseas holiday.

So today, we are not talking about leaving Australia  for good in order to live overseas,
So today, we are not talking about leaving Australia  for good in order to live overseas,

I prepared couple of videos on that subject before, so feel free to watch: "Retirement and Living Overseas"
I prepared couple of videos on that subject before, so feel free to watch: "Retirement and Living Overseas"

and "Retirement overseas and Age Pension"
and "Retirement overseas and Age Pension"

Today however, we are talking about the situation when you are leaving Australia to go overseas
Today however, we are talking about the situation when you are leaving Australia to go overseas

maybe for trip of your lifetime, travel from one country to another, from one continent to another,
maybe for trip of your lifetime, travel from one country to another, from one continent to another,

to fly, to sail, to hike, to bike, whatever takes your fancy,
to fly, to sail, to hike, to bike, whatever takes your fancy,

well, this is my dream of overseas holiday travel. 
well, this is my dream of overseas holiday travel. 

But maybe you have a family overseas,
But maybe you have a family overseas,

for example, your kids left Australia to pursue an incredible professional career in another country  
for example, your kids left Australia to pursue an incredible professional career in another country  

or maybe you were born overseas and you've always  wanted to revisit the country of your heritage  
or maybe you were born overseas and you've always  wanted to revisit the country of your heritage  

get to know its people and the culture.  
get to know its people and the culture.  

Whatever the reason for your long overseas travel,
Whatever the reason for your long overseas travel,

it pays to understand the rules if you are a  recipient of any government retirement income  
it pays to understand the rules if you are a  recipient of any government retirement income  

whether it is Age Pension or Service Pension or any other government benefit.  
whether it is Age Pension or Service Pension or any other government benefit.  

My name is Katherine Isbrandt from About Retirement.
My name is Katherine Isbrandt from About Retirement.

I am a Certified Financial Planner, and you are watching About Retirement TV,
I am a Certified Financial Planner, and you are watching About Retirement TV,

the place to get all the financial information you need when preparing for retirement
the place to get all the financial information you need when preparing for retirement

or if you have already retired  and would like to improve your financial position  
or if you have already retired  and would like to improve your financial position  

either as your income or your assets or access to government benefits.
either as your income or your assets or access to government benefits.

You don’t choose the day you enter the world and you don’t choose the day you leave.
You don’t choose the day you enter the world and you don’t choose the day you leave.

It’s what you do in between that makes all the difference.
It’s what you do in between that makes all the difference.

Anita Septimus
Anita Septimus

I love this quote and you can really apply it to almost anything we do in our lives.
I love this quote and you can really apply it to almost anything we do in our lives.

So now, let's jump to our topic: "How long can I travel overseas before it affects my Age Pension?"
So now, let's jump to our topic: "How long can I travel overseas before it affects my Age Pension?"

1. Travel overseas for less than 6 weeks
1. Travel overseas for less than 6 weeks

If your plan is to be away from Australia for less than 6 weeks at the time,
If your plan is to be away from Australia for less than 6 weeks at the time,

your Age Pension will not be changed and you will enjoy the full payment you are eligible for,
your Age Pension will not be changed and you will enjoy the full payment you are eligible for,

as if you were in Australia all the time.
as if you were in Australia all the time.

2. Travel overseas for more than 6 weeks but less than 12 months
2. Travel overseas for more than 6 weeks but less than 12 months

If you stayed outside of Australia longer than 6 weeks the government will remove your payment of pension supplement.
If you stayed outside of Australia longer than 6 weeks the government will remove your payment of pension supplement.

and you will be receiving the basic rate.  
and you will be receiving the basic rate.  

Also, the Energy Supplement will stop. Both of those payments will be reinstated on your return to Australia.
Also, the Energy Supplement will stop. Both of those payments will be reinstated on your return to Australia.

As you can see, unlike the common belief, you can actually be overseas for quite some time
As you can see, unlike the common belief, you can actually be overseas for quite some time

and still enjoy your government pension payments  going to your bank account every fortnight.  
and still enjoy your government pension payments  going to your bank account every fortnight.  

Things, however, change if you are outside of  Australia for a period longer than 12 months.  
Things, however, change if you are outside of  Australia for a period longer than 12 months.  

3. Travel overseas for longer than 12 months (26 weeks)
3. Travel overseas for longer than 12 months (26 weeks)

If you wish to stay overseas for longer than 26 weeks, your eligibility to continue your Age Pension payments
If you wish to stay overseas for longer than 26 weeks, your eligibility to continue your Age Pension payments

will depend on how long you were an Australian resident between the age of 16 and Age Pension age.
will depend on how long you were an Australian resident between the age of 16 and Age Pension age.

If you are unsure what Age Pension age means, watch my video "Age Pension explained"
If you are unsure what Age Pension age means, watch my video "Age Pension explained"

where you will understand all the basic  requirements of Age Pension eligibility. 
where you will understand all the basic  requirements of Age Pension eligibility. 

So let's discuss the Australian residency rules.
So let's discuss the Australian residency rules.

As mentioned above, your residency is based on your length of your "Australian Working Life Residency"
As mentioned above, your residency is based on your length of your "Australian Working Life Residency"

and it is set at 35 years.
and it is set at 35 years.

Despite its name, it is not a requirement for you to be working all those 35 years.
Despite its name, it is not a requirement for you to be working all those 35 years.

If your Australian Working Life Residency is 35 years or longer,
If your Australian Working Life Residency is 35 years or longer,

you can spend overseas longer than 26 weeks and your basic Age Pension rate will continue with no disruption.
you can spend overseas longer than 26 weeks and your basic Age Pension rate will continue with no disruption.

the only change could be that your payments might be made to your bank account every 4 weeks, rather than fortnightly.
the only change could be that your payments might be made to your bank account every 4 weeks, rather than fortnightly.

and you might be receiving payments in the local currency or US dollar,
and you might be receiving payments in the local currency or US dollar,

depending on the country you are in and the agreement between Australia and that country.
depending on the country you are in and the agreement between Australia and that country.

If you've lived in Australia for less than 35 years, then your Age Pension payment rate will be proportional,
If you've lived in Australia for less than 35 years, then your Age Pension payment rate will be proportional,

based on number of years of your residency here in Australia.
based on number of years of your residency here in Australia.

So to make it clear, let’s look at some examples of pensioners receiving full Age Pension payments:
So to make it clear, let’s look at some examples of pensioners receiving full Age Pension payments:

John
John

He is a single pensioner, has been living in Australia for 50 years. He's is now 72.
He is a single pensioner, has been living in Australia for 50 years. He's is now 72.

He wants to visit his daughter who moved to UK, married and has a family and a very successful career. 
He wants to visit his daughter who moved to UK, married and has a family and a very successful career. 

Because John’s Australian Working Life Residency is longer than 35 years,
Because John’s Australian Working Life Residency is longer than 35 years,

after 26 weeks of stay in UK, his Age Pension will continue at the full basic Age Pension rate of $22,937 per anum.
after 26 weeks of stay in UK, his Age Pension will continue at the full basic Age Pension rate of $22,937 per anum.

And now let's have a look at Stefano
And now let's have a look at Stefano

He's also single and a recipient of full Age Pension. 
He's also single and a recipient of full Age Pension. 

And his situation is very similar
And his situation is very similar

all his children are in Italy, but he has been an Australian resident for a period of 20 years.
all his children are in Italy, but he has been an Australian resident for a period of 20 years.

Therefore after 26 weeks in Italy, Stefano’s Age Pension will be reduced proportionally, down to $13,107 per anum.
Therefore after 26 weeks in Italy, Stefano’s Age Pension will be reduced proportionally, down to $13,107 per anum.

Those calculations are correct based on the full basic Age Pension payment of $22,937 per anum in April 2022
Those calculations are correct based on the full basic Age Pension payment of $22,937 per anum in April 2022

4. What happens to your Pensioner Concession card while you are overseas?
4. What happens to your Pensioner Concession card while you are overseas?

If you leave Australia to live overseas, than your Pensioner concession card will be cancelled immediately
If you leave Australia to live overseas, than your Pensioner concession card will be cancelled immediately

upon your departure from Australia.
upon your departure from Australia.

If however you leave Australia for a prolonged holiday, your Pensioner Concession Card will stay valid up to 6 weeks,
If however you leave Australia for a prolonged holiday, your Pensioner Concession Card will stay valid up to 6 weeks,

after which time will be cancelled. However it will be reissued to you automatically once back in Australia.
after which time will be cancelled. However it will be reissued to you automatically once back in Australia.

If you don't know the benefits of that card, watch my video: "Pensioner Concession Card"
If you don't know the benefits of that card, watch my video: "Pensioner Concession Card"

5. Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
5. Commonwealth Seniors Health Card

This card will also be cancelled if you are outside of Australia for longer than 19 weeks.
This card will also be cancelled if you are outside of Australia for longer than 19 weeks.

When you return, just contact Centrelink office, and advise of your income level at that time,
When you return, just contact Centrelink office, and advise of your income level at that time,

as long as you continue receiving your income within the limit, your card will be reinstated.
as long as you continue receiving your income within the limit, your card will be reinstated.

If you don't know income limits and benefits of Commonwealth Seniors Health Card,
If you don't know income limits and benefits of Commonwealth Seniors Health Card,

just watch my video: "Centrelink concession Cards for your Retirement"
just watch my video: "Centrelink concession Cards for your Retirement"

6. What to do before you leave Australia?
6. What to do before you leave Australia?

It is recommended that you either:
It is recommended that you either:

register for a Centrelink online account via myGov
register for a Centrelink online account via myGov

or you provide a nomination to a third party to act on your behalf, and update Centrelink when needed.
or you provide a nomination to a third party to act on your behalf, and update Centrelink when needed.

This could be a member of your family or your financial planner.
This could be a member of your family or your financial planner.

Keep in mind that not all financial planning offices provide such support, my practice obviously does,
Keep in mind that not all financial planning offices provide such support, my practice obviously does,

but due to many changes that our government introduced to financial planning, and some of them are dreadfully unfair
but due to many changes that our government introduced to financial planning, and some of them are dreadfully unfair

and virtually killing this profession,
and virtually killing this profession,

many older and very experienced financial planners left the industry, leaving many retirees with no support and advice,
many older and very experienced financial planners left the industry, leaving many retirees with no support and advice,

as younger generation is very often not equipped with sufficient knowledge
as younger generation is very often not equipped with sufficient knowledge

or experience to deal with such issues that retirees face
or experience to deal with such issues that retirees face

Also, don't forget to update Centrelink of your income and assets before you leave to ensure that your payment is not delayed.
Also, don't forget to update Centrelink of your income and assets before you leave to ensure that your payment is not delayed.

7. What to do on your return to Australia?
7. What to do on your return to Australia?

Generally you don't need to contact Centrelink on your return to Australia, unless:
Generally you don't need to contact Centrelink on your return to Australia, unless:

your payment was stopped while you were overseas and it hasn't restored automatically
your payment was stopped while you were overseas and it hasn't restored automatically

or you were required to provide reason for travel and you have not provided those details to Centrelink office.
or you were required to provide reason for travel and you have not provided those details to Centrelink office.

Travel overseas can be a great fun, but my sincere recommendation is,
Travel overseas can be a great fun, but my sincere recommendation is,

make sure that you have provided all details Centrelink requested of you to ensure that your age pension payments will not stop.
make sure that you have provided all details Centrelink requested of you to ensure that your age pension payments will not stop.

Also, ensure that you have sufficient cash backup in your bank account.
Also, ensure that you have sufficient cash backup in your bank account.

And never, ever travel overseas without the Travel Insurance.
And never, ever travel overseas without the Travel Insurance.

In most cases, people think about covering their luggage, or camera and other personal items.
In most cases, people think about covering their luggage, or camera and other personal items.

As important and dear to your heart those items could be, it is your medical cover and assistance
As important and dear to your heart those items could be, it is your medical cover and assistance

that should be the most important,
that should be the most important,

as well as cover of your cards and your travel documents. I might actually prepare a separate video on that topic as well.
as well as cover of your cards and your travel documents. I might actually prepare a separate video on that topic as well.

I hope you enjoyed our discussion about overseas travel,
I hope you enjoyed our discussion about overseas travel,

if so, please LIKE this video and SUBSCRIBE to my channel to always be advised of a new video being presented.
if so, please LIKE this video and SUBSCRIBE to my channel to always be advised of a new video being presented.

For more information about retirement, please visit my website AboutRetirement.com.au
For more information about retirement, please visit my website AboutRetirement.com.au

and while you are there sign up to my newsletter that  will keep you updated with all the changes  
and while you are there sign up to my newsletter that  will keep you updated with all the changes  

introduced in Australia that can impact your retirement.
introduced in Australia that can impact your retirement.

If you have a specific problem, or would like to set up a private consultation just email me to hello@aboutretirement.com.au
If you have a specific problem, or would like to set up a private consultation just email me to hello@aboutretirement.com.au

And now my video recommendation, the first lot is about
And now my video recommendation, the first lot is about

Travel and Retirement Overseas,
Travel and Retirement Overseas,

two fascinating videos that can give you great ideas
two fascinating videos that can give you great ideas

about different retirement options.
about different retirement options.

The second lot is about recently introduced changes
The second lot is about recently introduced changes

to your Age Pension payments.
to your Age Pension payments.

Enjoy and I will be speaking with you in my next video.
Enjoy and I will be speaking with you in my next video.