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Cutting Through The Red Tape

Cutting Through The Red Tape

Tags: Consumer Action
Last updated by Kayley Harris on

Have you ever considered investigating the present top heavy procedure that face persons reaching the pension age and had to face the enormous paper war and interviews to obtain the pension, that's if they are lucky.  They have worked all their lives and made their contributions through the tax system and at the closing years are faced with this enormous and unnecessary procedure. How some of our aged person even cope with it is amazing.      

I am a New Zealander by birth, but have  lived and worked  in Australia for nearly thirty years.   In New Zealand when one reaches the required age, 65 I believe,  you are automatically granted the age pension regardless of your income or your asset backing.  If you continue to have other income the pension is merely added to the same and taxed accordingly.   No expensive overheads such as in the form of operating Centrelinks and all the overheads and staffing they have here.  No forms to filling in,  currently here about 6/8 pages with 5/6 questions per page, no interviews and travel to meet the requirements here.

Why doesn't the Fifty up Club start a campaign  to have the Government simplify the procedure and do away with all the paper war and stress to our older citizens.

I am of well past  Pension  age and about twelve months ago I closed down my practice and applied for the Aged Pension, and after filling and lodging the extensive forms and follow at least three visits to the Centre I was unsuccessful.

Sincerely

N.B. Hosking

Originally posted on .

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Ian
Ian from WA commented:

I can certainly understand how NB Hosking is feeling, for I am 72 & applied for the Pension Card, & after filling out ENDLESS FORMS over a 4 month period, finally got it granted. My accountant actually said that they make it SO HARD for the elderly to get the card, that a big number give up, & that is exactly what Centrelink want them to do? Rgs............Ian 

Paul
Paul from NSW commented:

I recently got the pension (started late April) at the time I was overseas for about a month and would be there for two more. The process itself wasn't too bad , I did all the preparation before I left. What irked me the most was the deductions they made whilst I was overseas. I rent , do not own property, have a sum of money in the bank (below what is the threshold) I pay electricity and gas bills while away along with phone and internet. Because of this time overseas they paid me less than the amount set for a single person, they did pay the extra for utilities like gas & electricity. I won't bother trying to get an answer from them as it is costly and time consuming , worse than trying to get benefits when out of work. 

Someone
Someone from QLD commented:

Same as Dianne, I applied 4 months ago, have just been told that our assets are over the limit, with just a total $ value which is far in excess of their value, which was fully detailed on all the info we gave them on all the forms - around 10 separate forms. I've complained to Centrelink and our local MP, still waiting for feedback and details of how they get their total value. Not happy Jan! -Des from QLD 

DIANNE
DIANNE from NSW commented:

I applied 4 months ago when I turned 65 and am still waiting for approval. I am retired and my husband is a part time handyman self employed. Apparently because he has a Pty Ltd (which he had to have for WorkCover) it has gone to some sort of difficult cases branch which no-one seems to have the phone number for. Very FBI or CIA. How hard can it be when they have tax returns for the last two years and just about every other piece of paper I have ever owned Frustrated Dianne 

Yvonne
Yvonne from QLD replied to DIANNE:

Dianne, I am in a similar situation. My husband and I have a Self-Managed Super Fund which requires a company name to function through. When I phoned Centrelink after waiting 10 weeks they told me 12 weeks was standard turnaround for an application but it would be longer than that if the application was complicated. She advised me mine was being held up because of the company name. I've been waiting 13 and a half weeks now and have quietly given up hope. 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

i will be turning 65 next April it would be fantastic if someone out there could set out step by step the procedure in obtaining the pension i prefer to speak to a centerlink consultant instead of waiting all day on the phone eg do u have to take all the necessary papers tax file no ,bank statements to the meetings plus how long do u wait before notification of receiving monies, discount on public transport, utilities etc kind regards 

David
David from QLD commented:

Just head down to your Centrelink office. Stand in line but early in the morning is the best. 8.30am Tell them that you wish to talk to an officer in regards to the aged pension application, and ask for the forms to complete. There will be a list of documents you need ( evidence if you like) , actually on the form, when you complete same. Take the application back, along with the documents, and they will key in the information, and get back to you when all is approved. Hard copy application is the best way for most. David ( retired Financial Adviser) 

Gertraud
Gertraud from ACT commented:

Your best bet is to make an appointment with a Centrelink FIS officer. 

JENNIFER
JENNIFER from QLD commented:

I too am in the process of applying for the aged pension and really I think my years at university, raising 4 children and going to work full time was easier than filling the government paperwork for the pension and trying to speak to the right person Great idea to have the fifty club push for an easier approach to applying. 

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