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In the May 2021 Budget the Morrison Government broadened eligibility to the Pensions Loan Scheme (PLS): the government sponsored reverse mortgage scheme that allows retirees to borrow up to 150% of the aged pension rate against the equity in their home and is open to all retirees (not just pensioners) over the age of 60.
Thus, a full rate pensioner can receive a maximum income top-up that is equal to half of the age pension, whereas a self funded retiree can receive a maximum payment that is equal to 1.5 times the full age pension.
Despite the changes, the take-up of the PLS has been modest with only 5100 Australians taking up the program.
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About the author
Leith van Onselen is Chief Economist at the MB Fund and MB Super. He is also a co-founder of MacroBusiness.
Leith has previously worked at the Australian Treasury, Victorian Treasury and Goldman Sachs.
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