How much you can earn in wages and/or investment income while remaining eligible for the age pension increases today.

The changes reflect indexation adjustments, which are made twice per year, to factor in inflation.

Let’s find out what’s changing today.

When can you get the age pension?

If you were born on or after 1 January 1957, you can apply for the pension when you turn 67 years old, whether retired or not.

To be eligible for either a full pension or part-payment, you have to clear the means testing.

That means testing comes in the form of assets and income tests.

Today, the rules for both tests change.

In this article, we’re focusing on the income test changes. (Go here for the assets test changes.)

What’s changing with the age pension income test today?

Under today’s indexation changes, the upper thresholds for the income test are going up.

Currently, singles who earn less than the lower threshold of $226 per fortnight are eligible for the full age pension.

Under today’s changes, singles who earn between $227 and $2,701.40 (up from $2,627.80) per fortnight qualify for a part-payment.

Part-payments are calculated by reducing the pension by 50 cents for each dollar earned above $226.

As for couples, those who earn less than the lower threshold of $396 per fortnight (combined) are eligible for the full age pension.

Couples who earn between $397 and $4,128 (up from $4,016.80) per fortnight qualify for a part-payment.

A couple’s pension is reduced by 25 cents per person for each dollar they earn above $396.

What is the Work Bonus?

The Work Bonus cuts the amount of income that counts in a pensioner’s fortnightly income test.

Every fortnight, $300 credit is added to your Work Bonus balance, up to a maximum of $11,800.

When you work and declare that income, your Work Bonus balance offsets those earnings.

That may mean you receive your normal pension payment, despite your work earnings, for that fortnight.

If your earnings are greater than your Work Bonus balance, the excess counts toward your income test for that fortnight.

This may mean you receive a lower pension payment for that fortnight.

What about investment income?

Pensioners do not need to declare the exact income from each of their financial investments, with one exception.

The exception is investment properties. Rental income is assessed separately, and you need to declare the actual amount.

For everything else, deeming rates determine your investment income for the purposes of the pension income test.

Deeming rates are going up today, but they are still generously low.

The lower deeming rate is now 1.75% for the first $66,800 worth of assets for singles and the first $110,600 for couples combined.

Everything above these amounts will be deemed to have earned the new upper deeming rate of interest, which is 3.75%.

Right now, that rate is still below what you’d actually earn if invested in plain old cash or ASX dividend shares. 

Cash in savings accounts is earning more than 5% these days.

As for dividend shares, the ASX 200 provided an average 4.23% dividend yield in FY26. (Check out which sectors paid the most here.)

Assuming full franking, that grosses up to a total of 6% earnings.

The post How much income can you earn and still get the age pension under new rules starting today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 amazing ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years
• REA Group vs CAR Group: Which is best for income investors?
• ASX 200 healthcare shares lead a weaker market amid 82% chance of a rate hike
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week
• Age pension rises $37 per fortnight today

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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.

I think buy and hold investing can be a great way to build wealth over the long term.

And ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) can be particularly helpful because they make it easy to invest in a collection of companies in one trade.

But which ones could be top buy and hold candidates? Here are three that could be worth considering:

Global X AI Infrastructure ETF (AUD) (ASX: AINF)

The Global X AI Infrastructure ETF could be a strong option for investors that are wanting exposure to the buildout behind artificial intelligence (AI).

This fund focuses on the companies providing the physical infrastructure needed to support AI.

That includes semiconductor businesses, data centre equipment providers, networking companies, power infrastructure, cooling systems, and other businesses involved in keeping increasingly powerful computing systems running.

The long-term opportunity here is easy to understand. AI requires enormous amounts of computing power, and that means more chips, more data centres, more electricity, and more supporting infrastructure.

Rather than trying to identify which AI application will ultimately become the biggest winner, the Global X AI Infrastructure ETF gives investors exposure to the companies helping make the entire industry possible.

Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAE)

Another ASX ETF to consider for the next decade is the Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF.

This fund gives investors exposure to companies across major Asian markets outside Japan. This includes businesses from countries such as China, Taiwan, South Korea, India, and Singapore.

Having this sort of exposure could be a very good thing. The region is home to enormous populations, rising incomes, major manufacturing hubs, leading technology companies, and increasingly important consumer markets.

Over the next decade, growing wealth across Asia could support demand for financial services, healthcare, technology, consumer products, travel, and many other industries. This bodes well for the holdings in the Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF.

VanEck Video Gaming and Esports AUD ETF (ASX: ESPO)

A final ASX ETF for investors to look at is the VanEck Video Gaming and Esports ETF.

Video games have grown from a relatively niche hobby into a huge global entertainment industry competing with film, television, music, and social media for people’s time and money.

The industry has also changed significantly. Games can now generate revenue for years through downloadable content, subscriptions, in-game purchases, online communities, and recurring updates.

VanEck Video Gaming and Esports ETF gives investors exposure to companies involved in developing games, publishing them, creating gaming hardware, and supporting the wider industry. This includes giants such as Nintendo, Tencent, and Take-Two Interactive.

The post 3 amazing ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• How much could $10,000 invested in these AI focussed ETFs be worth in a year?
• 2 Vanguard ETFs I’d buy and hold for a decade

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro 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 Take-Two Interactive Software. 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.

REA Group vs CAR Group shares: Which is better for income?

Comparing REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) and CAR Group Ltd (ASX: CAR) might seem like splitting hairs at first—both are digital advertising powerhouses offering online marketplaces in property and automotive, respectively. But for income-focused investors, there are some clear differences between REA and CAR shares worth digging into. If you’re searching for franked dividends, capital growth or just a reliable yield, here’s how these two stack up.

The case for REA Group

REA Group runs the dominant realestate.com.au platform in Australia, a go-to site for property buyers, sellers, and renters. The company also has exposure to complementary businesses such as mortgage broking and property data, adding some diversification to its earnings.

Looking at the fundamentals, REA is a $20.84 billion business with a P/E ratio of 30.98, making it a premium-priced market leader. Its 1.88% dividend yield won’t knock your socks off, but it’s underpinned by 100% franking—perfect for Aussie investors who can use those tax credits. REA’s earnings per share (EPS) sits at $5.106, and dividend history shows steady growth over recent years, with payments fully franked as far back as the records go.

REA’s business is solid, especially with its dominant market position in online property listings and services. According to its most recent public description, it’s got a stronghold over the residential and commercial property websites sector in Australia and growing reach overseas.

The case for CAR Group

CAR Group, most familiar to Aussies as the owner of carsales.com.au, is a leader in online automotive classifieds. But CAR has expanded beyond Australian shores, with stakes in major auto marketplaces across South Korea, the US, Chile and Brazil. This international reach gives it multiple growth levers that don’t depend solely on the local market.

Fundamentally, CAR Group has a $9.09 billion market cap—smaller than REA but still substantial. Its P/E ratio is 29.01, a touch lower than REA’s, and its dividend yield is a standout at 3.58%. The shares come with only partial franking (recent dividends ranged from 30–50%), so the after-tax yield for Australian shareholders isn’t quite as attractive as a fully-franked payout, but the grossed-up yield still compares favourably. The latest annual dividend per share is $0.87, and the company has lifted dividends steadily in recent years.

CAR Group’s diverse earnings base across multiple countries and digital marketplaces adds some resilience in case the Australian car or job market slows.

Valuation comparison

Here’s a side-by-side of the key numbers:

Metric	REA Group	CAR Group
Market Cap	$20.84b	$9.09b
P/E Ratio	30.98	29.01
Dividend Yield	1.88% (100% franked)	3.58% (30–50% franked)
Dividend per Share	$3.46	$0.87
Earnings Yield	3.23%	3.45%
Year-to-date Return	-12.11%	-19.12%

REA is pricier on most measures, but CAR delivers a higher headline yield. However, REA’s fully franked dividends make it more tax effective for some income-driven investors.

Recent share price performance

Both companies have seen share price declines in 2026 so far, but REA has held up a bit better.

REA’s share price history (18 August–17 September 2026) shows a drop from $178.62 (on 18 August) to $159.22 (17 September): a fall of about 11%.

CAR Group’s price history (same 18 August–17 September 2026 period) starts at $29.10 and ends at $23.97, a decline of roughly 18%.

So over this snapshot, both have tracked down with the broader market, but CAR Group has seen a steeper fall.

Which is the better buy?

For income investors, I’m leaning towards CAR Group. While REA Group’s fully franked dividends are gold for some—especially for retirees or those keen to maximise franked income—the yield is modest at 1.88%. With CAR now offering a 3.58% yield (albeit with only partial franking), the gross cash return is much stronger.

That said, if you place a high value on franking credits, or you want the perceived safety that comes with REA’s virtual monopoly on real estate listings (and you don’t require much income), REA is hard to beat in terms of stability and after-tax benefit.

But if income is truly the goal and you can live with 30–50% franking, my pick would be CAR Group for its significantly higher yield and solid record of dividend growth.

The post REA Group vs CAR Group: Which is best for income investors? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why this expert believes it’s time to exit positions in REA Group shares
• Buy, hold, sell: James Hardie, REA Group, and Ramelius shares
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Buy, hold, sell: Aurizon, Car Group, Guzman y Gomez shares
• 3 ASX 200 shares forecast to fly 30% to 40% higher

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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 CAR Group Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial draft. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.