You can keep working after 65.
Work & retirement
Can I keep working after 65?
Yes. Turning 65 does not require you to retire. If you receive Age Pension, the important issue is how employment income is treated under the pension rules.
Practical guidanceUnderstand the options before making the decision.
At a glance
What to know first
Age Pension recipients must report employment income.
The Work Bonus can reduce how much eligible work income is counted.
The practical detail
Work through the part that matters to you.
Working and Age Pension can overlap
Services Australia allows people to work while receiving Age Pension. The pension income test still applies, so the amount paid can change as income changes.
The Work Bonus can help
The Work Bonus reduces the amount of eligible employment or active self-employment income counted under the pension income test for eligible pensioners. Unused Work Bonus can also build into a balance, subject to current limits.
Superannuation is a separate decision
Working after 65 and accessing super are related but separate questions. Super access, contributions and tax treatment have their own rules, and returning to work does not necessarily mean you must close or withdraw super.
Before you act
This is general information, not financial advice. Employment income, superannuation and Centrelink payments can interact differently depending on your circumstances.
Check the current rules
Official sources used for this guide.
Government rules and thresholds can change. These links take you to the source material used to prepare this page.
Services Australia
Working while getting Age Pension
Check the current government information before relying on eligibility, rates or rules.
Open official source →Services AustraliaWho can get the Work Bonus
Check the current government information before relying on eligibility, rates or rules.
Open official source →Related Later Life guides
Keep going only where it is useful.
Money & entitlements
Age Pension explained in plain English
Age Pension is the Australian Government’s main income-support payment for older Australians. Reaching the qualifying age is only one part of eligibility.
Read guide →Money & entitlementsWhat happens to my super after 65?
Turning 65 gives you broad access to your superannuation even if you are still working, but it does not mean you have to withdraw it.
Read guide →When general information is not enough
Talk it through with Liz.
Liz can help connect the general rules to the care and support questions in your own situation. For legal, tax or financial decisions, she will point you back to the appropriate professional or government source.