Minister checking pension test rates

Federal Labor has called for a review of part of the pension income test, but Human Services Minister Anne Ruston says she has requested advice on the issue.

Labor Member for Barton Linda Burney (file image)

Linda Burney has called on the treasurer to pass the benefit of low interest rates to pensioners. (AAP)

Part of the pension income test should be reviewed to better reflect Australia's record low interest rates, according to federal Labor.

But Human Services Minister Anne Ruston says she has already sought advice on whether any changes are necessary in light of this week's interest rate drop.

The opposition wants the government to review pension deeming rates, which are used in the income test to assume how much people are earning on their financial investments.

The deeming rates for the pension are as high as 3.25 per cent.

They haven't been updated in more than four years, when the Reserve Bank of Australia's official cash rate was 2.25 per cent.

The interest rate, which reflects what the central bank charges commercial banks on overnight loans and influences other interest rates, was reduced this week to 1.25 per cent.

A lower rate, aimed at stimulating the economy, is typically considered good news for mortgage holders but not so great for savers.

Labor's human services spokeswoman Linda Burney says with standard term deposits now earning two per cent or less, it's clear the deeming rates aren't keeping up with what pensioners are earning.

"This week, the treasurer demanded banks pass on the Reserve Bank's rate cut to home loan customers in full," she said in a statement on Sunday.

"Why won't he do the same for pensioners? It's hypocrisy."

Senator Ruston says the government is already checking whether the rates are right, as it always does when the interest rate changes.

"As is usual practice, I have already asked my department to provide advice on the current deeming rate settings following the Reserve Bank's decision to reduce the official cash rate," she told AAP in a statement on Sunday.


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Source: AAP



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