In our article, ‘Ageing and health status in retirement: The three chapters’, we discussed the different chapters that you will experience as you make your way through life.
For example:
1. the accumulation chapter,
2. the transition to retirement chapter (where applicable), and
3. the retirement chapter.
From a retiree’s perspective, the retirement chapter can be broken down even further. For example:
3a. the early (active) chapter,
3b. the middle (passive/sedentary) chapter, and
3c. the late (frail/support) chapter.
The defining features of each chapter are evident. Particularly so, when you look at them in comparison to each other over several key areas. For example, in terms of finances, when your age starts to get the better of your health, you will most likely find that your healthcare expenditure increases.
With this in mind, we take a closer look at the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
Overview
In a nutshell, the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) is a concession card that provides those eligible with a variety of benefits. Importantly, these benefits are not just limited to health.
Eligibility
In terms of eligibility (obtaining and retaining) for the CSHC:
Income Test* (20 September – 31 December 2019) |
|
Family Situation |
Income Threshold* |
Single |
$55,808 per annum |
Couple (combined) |
$89,290 per annum |
Illness separated couple (combined) |
$111,616 per annum |
*Add $639.60 to the abovementioned income threshold amounts for each child in your care.
Please note: There is a non-income tested CSHC. This was issued to those that lost their pension entitlements on 1 January 2017 due to the changes that occurred regarding the pension assets test.
Claiming
To submit a claim for the CSHC, you have several options. One of them is online, via your myGov account (linked to Centrelink or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs); or by paper, by printing and completing the relevant form.
Please note:
Benefits
As previously stated above, the CSHC is a concession card that provides those eligible with a variety of benefits, not just limited to health. Below are examples of some of these benefits:
Also, state or territory and local governments and private providers may also provide health, household, transport, education and recreation concessions. Below is a selection of some of the benefits provided:
If you have any questions regarding this article, please do not hesitate to contact us.