1384.6 - Statistics - Tasmania, 2005  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 13/09/2002   
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Contents >> Income >> Income support >> Payments for the aged, Department of Family and Community Services

A major issue facing the program is the expected increase in the aged population into the first half of this century. By 2051, the proportion of the population aged 65 years and over is projected to reach between 32% and 34% in Tasmania, compared with the projected 28% to 30% for total Australia. (Source: Population Projections, Australia, 2002 to 2101 (cat. no. 3222.0))

Also, changing patterns of employment, including a trend towards early retirement, present a challenge to the delivery of adequate retirement incomes. Recent government policy has focused on cost reduction as well as shifting costs and responsibility from the public sector to individuals, families, community groups and private business. A strong emphasis is placed on providing financial information services to encourage self-provision and maximise the use of resources for self support.

SELECTED PAYMENTS FOR THE AGED(a), Tasmania - June 2003
Recipients at June 2003

no.
Age Pension
50,887
Wife Pension (Disability Support)
1,596
Wife Pension (Age)
639

(a) As at May 2004, Centrelink figures have been revised to conform to new standard definitions.

Source: Centrelink.


The Age Pension seeks to ensure that people who have reached retirement age have an adequate level of income. Subject to income and assets tests, men aged 65 years and over are eligible for the Age Pension. For women, it depends on their date of birth. From 1 July 1995, the minimum age for women to receive the Age Pension began to increase. By 2014, the minimum qualifying age for women will be 65 years, making it the same as for men.

At 30 June 2003, there were 50,887 people in Tasmania receiving an Age Pension, 56.0% of the estimated 90,833 Tasmanians aged 60 years and over. (Source for population data: Population by Age and Sex, Australian States and Territories, June 2003 (cat. no. 3201.0)).


RECIPIENTS OF AGE PENSION(a), Tasmania
Unit
June 2001
June 2002
June 2003
Age group (years)
60-64
no.
5,331
4,647
4,723
65-69
no.
13,769
14,187
14,814
70-74
no.
12,194
12,705
12,997
75 and over
no.
16,888
17,488
18,353

Sex
Males
no.
18,187
18,967
19,975
Females
no.
29,995
30,060
30,912
Persons
no.
48,182
49,027
50,887

Wife Pension (Age)

no.

775

730

639

(a) As at May 2004, Centrelink figures have been revised to conform to new standard definitions.

Source: Centrelink.

Further information about the Age Pension and Wife Pension is available from the Centrelink web site, http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/individuals/ret_payments.htm



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