Enjoying retirement is something that most people dream of, but you need to be able to afford to sustain your retirement lifestyle. Growing your super is the best way to ensure a comfortable retirement, but if your retirement savings are not enough to cover your cost of living in the long term, you may be eligible for Centrelink assistance.

Centrelink assistance for retirees can include:

• Age Pension - You may be eligible if you're not able to live off your superannuation income or assets alone in retirement. 
• Pension Loans Scheme - You may be eligible if you're able to receive the Age Pension and can offer your home, or other real estate, as security.
• Pension Bonus Scheme - You may be eligible if you defer claiming the Age Pension and continue working. You must be of pension age - and you must register within 13 weeks of becoming eligible to receive the age pension.
• Crisis payments, rent assistance, rent deduction and residential care

There are a range of concession cards such as the Seniors Card, and tax offsets available to eligible retirees.

Recent changes to the Age Pension Centrelink regulations mean that retirees who would not have previously been eligible may be able to receive the Age Pension while others will receive more. Visit the Centrelink website to find out if these changes to what is known as the 'asset taper rate' will affect your retirement income.