The Age Pension is a fortnightly sum paid to Australians aged 67 years or older to help them fund a basic retirement.

The catch is, not everyone over 67 years old is eligible. And the payment amount you could get is heavily dependent on your income and the value of assets you own.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Age Pension income test, the asset test, and how much you could get.

The maximum Age Pension payment

The Age Pension has a maximum total fortnightly payment of $1,200.90 for retired singles and $1,810.40 for couples combined. 

These sums include the maximum basic rate, the maximum pension supplement, and the energy supplement.

How is my final payment level calculated?

Centrelink assesses you under both an income and an asset test. It then applies whichever gives you the lowest rate of payment for your individual circumstances.

What is the Age Pension income test?

The income test assesses all of your income, pooled from all sources.

Your income includes your wages, but also includes anything from superannuation contributions, investment income, bonuses, or commission payments. 

It’s also applicable regardless of your age. 

In order to receive the full Age Pension single Australians can earn up to $226 per fortnight. Meanwhile, couples can earn up to $396 per fortnight.

But the good news is that if you’re over these thresholds, you could still be eligible for some sort of part payment. 

Single Australians can earn up to $2,627.80 per fortnight. Then and couples (living together) can earn up to $4,016.80 per fortnight and still qualify for at least a part-Age Pension, which is assessed on a sliding scale.

For a single person, your Age Pension will reduce by 50 cents for each dollar over $226. For couples it will reduce by 25 cents for each dollar over $396.

It means that the more you earn, the lower your Age Pension payment will be, until it reaches zero.

What about the Age Pension asset test?

The asset test includes everything you own, whether it’s in full, in part, or you have an interest in. It does exclude your primary residence. 

In order to receive the full Age Pension, single homeowners cannot own assets valued at $333,000 or more. For non-homeowners, this will be up to $600,000.

Meanwhile, a couple (combined) can own up to $499,000 in value if they own a property, or $766,000 if they don’t.

Again, as with the income test, if you’re over these thresholds, it’s still possible to get some sort of partial payment.

Single Australians who are homeowners can own assets valued up to $733,500, and single non-homeowners can own assets valued up to $1,000,500, and still be eligible for some level of part-payment.

Couples are also entitled to a partial payment, provided their combined assets don’t exceed $1,102,500 for homeowners. Non-homeowners can own assets totalling no more than $1,369,500.

The post Australian Age Pension: Income test, assets test and payment amounts explained appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

ASX small caps can offer strong growth prospects to an investor’s portfolio. 

With global headwinds impacting the ASX 200 this year, it could be an ideal time to allocate capital towards high upside stocks. 

The team at Bell Potter have identified two in particular that fit this criteria. 

Let’s see what the broker is projecting. 

Orthocell Ltd (ASX: OCC)

Orthocell is an Australian-based, commercial-stage regenerative medicine company developing and commercialising collagen-based medical devices and autologous cell therapies for the repair and regeneration of bone and soft tissue.

The company leverages their proprietary collagen processing and manufacturing platform to produce implantable biomaterials designed to support tissue regeneration and functional recovery.

As is commonplace with small-cap shares, it has experienced some volatility in 2026. 

However, Bell Potter has a speculative buy rating on this ASX small-cap, suggesting it could rise by 40% in the next year. 

In a note released yesterday, Bell Potter said June-quarter revenue increased 19% QoQ to a record $3.8m (+36% pcp), reflecting continued strength across the established market.

The broker said the US rollout of Remplir is making good progress. 

The product is now available to around half of the US population through expanded distributor coverage. 

Hospital access is also growing, with approvals in 151 hospitals and more applications still under review. 

In simple terms, more hospitals are buying the company’s nerve repair product Remplir, and more surgeons have started using it. 

However, sales growth has trailed hospital access growth, suggesting many surgeons are still trialling the product and are yet to commit.

Based on this guidance, Bell Potter has a 12-month price target of $1.19 on this ASX small-cap, indicating a 40% upside from current levels. 

Sky Metals Ltd (ASX: SKY)

Another ASX small-cap drawing a speculative buy rating is Sky Metals. 

Sky Metals engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral resources.

Its share price has rocketed 183% higher year to date, and Bell Potter believes the growth can continue. 

Bell Potter noted that Sky Metals has significantly increased the estimated size of its Tallebung project in New South Wales. 

The updated resource now contains much more tin and tungsten than previously estimated. The company has also identified its first silver resource. 

Much of the resource is now classified with higher confidence, making it more likely to be converted into mineable reserves.

Based on this guidance, the broker has placed a 12-month price target of $0.350 on this ASX small-cap, indicating 37% upside from current levels. 

The post 2 ASX small-caps with 40% upside appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Orthocell. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Many investors approaching retirement or living off superannuation will be looking for ASX shares that offer strong dividends. 

High dividend stocks can play an important role for investors living off their superannuation. They provide a regular income stream that can help fund retirement expenses without needing to sell down investments. 

This can offer greater stability and reduce the need to sell assets during periods of market weakness.

In Australia, dividend-paying shares can also be attractive due to the benefit of franking credits, which may reduce the tax payable on dividend income and improve after-tax returns, particularly for retirees in a low-tax environment.

The highest dividend yield isn’t always the best bet

High dividend yields can be attractive for retirees seeking income. However, an excessively high yield can sometimes be a warning sign rather than an opportunity. 

A dividend yield rises when a company’s share price falls. This may indicate investors are concerned about weaker earnings, financial stress or the sustainability of future dividend payments. 

Companies offering unusually high yields may be forced to reduce dividends if profits decline, potentially leading to both a loss of income and capital value. 

For retirees relying on their portfolio for regular cash flow, it is important to focus on the quality and consistency of dividends rather than simply chasing the highest yields. 

A sustainable dividend supported by strong cash flows and a healthy balance sheet is generally more valuable than a temporarily elevated yield that may not be maintained.

With that in mind, here are three consistent dividend stocks to consider. 

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers has delivered a long history of shareholder returns through businesses such as Bunnings Group and other essential retail operations. 

Its diversified earnings base and strong cash generation have supported a relatively dependable dividend stream over time. 

This year, it has also enjoyed considerable capital gains, seeing its share price rise 11% year to date. 

It is currently expected to pay a forward dividend yield of around 2.6% in FY27.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

Another great option for retirees looking for consistent passive income is Woolworths Group. 

Woolworths Group is a popular income stock thanks to its defensive supermarket business. It generates reliable cash flow from everyday consumer spending. 

While its dividend yield is lower than many banks, it has a strong history of paying consistent, largely fully franked dividends, alongside the potential for long-term capital growth.

It is expected to offer a fully franked dividend yield of 2.8% in FY27. 

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC)

Westpac is a popular dividend stock due to its strong position as one of Australia’s major banks and its history of paying attractive dividends. 

Its large customer base, recurring lending income and solid profitability have supported consistent shareholder returns over time. 

While bank earnings can fluctuate with interest rates and the economy, Westpac remains a core income holding for many Australian investors seeking reliable dividends and the potential for long-term capital growth.

It currently offers a generous dividend yield above 4%.

The post 3 of the best ASX dividend stocks to supplement your superannuation appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.