Do the Age Pension and DSP pay the same amount?

For people aged 21 and over, yes. Both are pensions paid at the same rates, with the same Pension Supplement and Energy Supplement and the same income and assets tests. DSP also has youth rates for people under 21, which the Age Pension does not.

What happens to DSP when I reach Age Pension age?

When you reach Age Pension age you may move to the Age Pension. The rate stays the same, because both are paid at pension rates, but the Age Pension is taxable while DSP was generally tax-free below Age Pension age. Services Australia can explain how the change applies to you.

Age Pension vs Disability Support Pension

The Age Pension and the Disability Support Pension, or DSP, are both pensions, and for adults they are paid at the same rates. The difference is not the amount but who qualifies and why. The Age Pension is for people who have reached Age Pension age. DSP is for people whose permanent condition stops them working.

Because they share the same rates and tests for adults, the choice between them is really about your circumstances, not about which pays more. This page explains the comparison.

Headline rate, side by side (2026)
Payment	Per fortnight	≈ per year	Effective
Age Pension	$1,200.90	$31,223.40	20 March 2026
Disability Support Pension	$1,200.90	$31,223.40	20 March 2026

The key differences

Qualification: the Age Pension is based on reaching Age Pension age; DSP is based on a permanent medical condition that stops you working.

Rate: for people 21 and over, both are paid at the same pension rates, with the Pension Supplement and Energy Supplement included.

Under 21: DSP has youth rates for people under 21 without children, which the Age Pension does not have.

Means tests: both use the pension income test and assets test and pay the lower result, with deeming on financial assets.

Index dates: adult rates for both change on 20 March and 20 September; DSP youth rates change on 1 January.

Tax: the Age Pension is taxable; DSP is generally not taxable while you are under Age Pension age, then becomes taxable.

Who gets more

For a person 21 or over, the Age Pension and DSP pay the same rate, so neither is higher than the other. Both include the Pension Supplement and Energy Supplement and use the same income and assets tests. The rate table on this page shows the shared figures.

The practical difference is tax and timing. DSP is generally tax-free while you are under Age Pension age, which can matter if you have other income. When a DSP recipient reaches Age Pension age, they may move to the Age Pension, and the payment becomes taxable, but the rate itself does not change.

See each payment in full

Common questions

Do the Age Pension and DSP pay the same amount?: For people aged 21 and over, yes. Both are pensions paid at the same rates, with the same Pension Supplement and Energy Supplement and the same income and assets tests. DSP also has youth rates for people under 21, which the Age Pension does not.
What happens to DSP when I reach Age Pension age?: When you reach Age Pension age you may move to the Age Pension. The rate stays the same, because both are paid at pension rates, but the Age Pension is taxable while DSP was generally tax-free below Age Pension age. Services Australia can explain how the change applies to you.

Rates current as of 17 July 2026. Source: DSS / Services Australia. Last checked 17 July 2026.