Deeming assumes your financial assets earn a set rate of income, whatever they actually earn. The lower rate of 1.75% applies to the first $66,800 for a single person or $110,600 for a pensioner couple, and 3.75% applies above that.
Key facts
- Deeming rates: 1.75% up to the threshold and 3.75% above.
- Thresholds: $66,800 single, $110,600 combined for a couple where at least one gets a pension, $55,300 each for a couple where neither does.
- Deemed income counts in the income test for the Age Pension, DSP, Carer Payment, JobSeeker and other payments, but not for Family Tax Benefit.
- If your investments earn more than the deeming rate, the extra isn't counted.
Deeming rates and thresholds
Current deeming rates
| Your situation | 1.75% applies to | 3.75% applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Single | The first $66,800 | Everything over $66,800 |
| Couple, at least one gets a pension (combined) | The first $110,600 | Everything over $110,600 |
| Couple, neither gets a pension (each) | The first $55,300 | Everything over $55,300 |
Worked examples
Deemed income for a single person
| Financial assets | Deemed income a year | A fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $875 | $33.65 |
| $100,000 | $2,414 | $92.85 |
| $200,000 | $6,164 | $237.08 |
| $400,000 | $13,664 | $525.54 |
For $100,000: $66,800 × 1.75% = $1,169, plus $33,200 × 3.75% = $1,245, total $2,414 a year. The single pension income free area is $226 a fortnight.
What counts as a financial asset
Savings and term deposits, managed investments, loans and debentures, listed shares and securities, some income streams such as account-based pensions, and some gifts. Your home isn't a financial asset.
See also: Age Pension calculator (includes deeming).
See also: Age Pension income and assets limits.
Common questions
What are the current deeming rates?
1.75% on the first $66,800 of financial assets for a single person ($110,600 for a pensioner couple) and 3.75% on the rest.
How is deemed income calculated?
Multiply financial assets up to the threshold by 1.75% and the rest by 3.75%. For a single person with $100,000, that's $1,169 plus $1,245, or $2,414 a year ($92.85 a fortnight).
Does deeming affect Family Tax Benefit?
No. FTB uses your adjusted taxable income, not deemed income.
Other payments: JobSeeker · Youth Allowance & Austudy · Parenting Payment · DSP · Carer Payment · Family Tax Benefit · Parental Leave Pay · Concession cards · Pensioner Concession Card · Medicare Safety Net · Carer Allowance · Advance payment · Crisis Payment · Newborn payments · Age Pension · Rent Assistance. Back to all Centrelink payment rates.
Source: Services Australia, Deeming (pages last updated 20 September 2026). Checked 21 October 2026. General information only; Services Australia works out your actual payment.