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The cheapest countries to retire on the Australian Age PensionThe maximum Age Pension for a single person living outside Australia is A$29,520.40 a year from 20 September 2026, according to Services Australia. A couple who are both eligible can receive up to A$4…
Splitting retirement between Australia and another country: Age Pension, tax and Medicare rulesAge Pension recipients can stay outside Australia for up to 26 weeks before their rate depends on how long they were Australian residents, according to Services Australia. A recipient with 35 years or…
How do exchange rates change the value of the Age Pension overseas?The Age Pension for a single person living outside Australia is set in Australian dollars, with a maximum basic rate of A$29,520.40 a year from 20 September 2026, according to Services Australia. The…Section 01 · Age Pension
How much Age Pension is paid to retirees living outside Australia?
The maximum basic rate of Age Pension for a single person living outside Australia long term is A$29,520.40 a year from 20 September 2026, according to Services Australia1. For a couple who are both eligible, the combined maximum basic rate is A$44,506.80 a year.
A single pensioner in Australia can receive up to A$1,237.70 a fortnight from 20 September 20262. This includes the A$1,135.40 basic rate, an A$88.20 Pension Supplement and a A$14.10 Energy Supplement. Both supplements stop when a pensioner leaves Australia to live overseas3.
The Age Pension can be paid for any length of time outside Australia, provided the person remains qualified3. After 26 weeks outside Australia, the rate can become proportional to Australian working life residence4. This is the time a person was an Australian resident between age 16 and Age Pension age.
A full rate overseas requires at least 35 years, or 420 months, of Australian working life residence4. A person who first lived in Australia after reaching Age Pension age has no working life residence, so their pension stops being payable once the proportional rate applies.
For example, using the A$29,520.40 maximum basic rate, a single person with 20 years of Australian working life residence would receive an illustrative A$16,939.09 a year after 26 weeks overseas4. With 10 years, the illustrative amount would be A$8,504.69 a year.
From 20 September 2026, a single person living outside Australia can receive the maximum basic rate with income of up to A$5,876 a year1. A single homeowner can also receive the maximum rate with assets of up to A$333,000. The income and assets tests continue to apply overseas.
Australian pension rates are also affected by changes in living costs in Australia. Living costs for age pensioner households rose 4.7% in the 12 months to the June quarter 2026, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)5.
Government pensions are indexed each 20 March and 20 September by the greater of the six-month increase in the Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index and the Consumer Price Index5. Both measure changes in prices in Australia. Pensions are also benchmarked to male total average weekly earnings.
| Maximum Age Pension rates in Australia and for people living outside Australia, from 20 September 2026 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate component | Single, in Australia (A$) | Single, overseas (A$) | Couple, in Australia (A$) | Couple, overseas (A$) |
| Basic rate, a fortnight | 1,135.40 | 1,135.40 | 1,711.80 | 1,711.80 |
| Pension Supplement, a fortnight | 88.20 | Not paid | 133.00 | Not paid |
| Energy Supplement, a fortnight | 14.10 | Not paid | 21.20 | Not paid |
| Total, a fortnight | 1,237.70 | 1,135.40 | 1,866.00 | 1,711.80 |
| Total, a year | 32,180.20 | 29,520.40 | 48,516.00 | 44,506.80 |
Source · Services Australia, How much Age Pension you can get; Services Australia, Payment schedule and rates for people outside Australia.
Section 02 · Price levels
How do consumer price levels in Thailand, Poland and Malaysia compare with Australia?
Household consumer prices in Thailand were 30.3% of Australia's level in 2021, according to the World Bank International Comparison Program (ICP)6. Malaysia was slightly higher at 31.7%, while Poland was 38.1% of Australia's level.
Australia's price level for actual individual consumption was 177.4 in 2021, on an index where the world average is 1006. The comparable index was 67.7 in Poland, 56.2 in Malaysia and 53.7 in Thailand.
Purchasing power parities provide another way to compare these price levels. Household goods and services that cost A$1 in Australia in 2021 cost 7.28 baht in Thailand, 1.11 zloty in Poland and 0.99 ringgit in Malaysia6. In each country, the purchasing power parity was below the market exchange rate in 2021, which corresponds with a lower price level than Australia's.
Section 03 · Housing
How do housing price levels in Thailand, Poland and Malaysia compare with Australia?
The price level for housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels in Thailand was 10.1% of Australia's in 2021, according to the World Bank International Comparison Program6. Malaysia was 13.4% of Australia's level, while Poland was 21.4%.
Australia's housing price level was 257.5 on the index, where the world average is 1006. The comparable index was 55.1 in Poland, 34.4 in Malaysia and 25.9 in Thailand.
Housing had the lowest price level relative to Australia among the six consumption categories compared in all three countries6.
Section 04 · Everyday costs
How do food and transport prices in Thailand, Poland and Malaysia compare with Australia?
Food and non-alcoholic drinks in Malaysia were at 55.5% of Australia's price level in 2021, compared with 57.2% in Poland and 57.3% in Thailand, according to the World Bank International Comparison Program6. Transport prices were 46.1% of Australia's level in Malaysia, 50.3% in Thailand and 75.6% in Poland in 2021.
Restaurant and hotel prices were 16.2% of Australia's level in Malaysia, 22.2% in Thailand and 52.3% in Poland in 20216. Among the six categories compared, communication was closest to Australia's price level in Thailand, at 92.6%. Communication prices were 70.2% of Australia's level in Malaysia and 56.1% in Poland.
| Price level index by consumption category, Australia, Thailand, Poland and Malaysia, 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Australia | Thailand | Poland | Malaysia | Thailand, % of Australia | Poland, % of Australia | Malaysia, % of Australia |
| All household consumption | 177.4 | 53.7 | 67.7 | 56.2 | 30.3 | 38.1 | 31.7 |
| Housing, water and energy | 257.5 | 25.9 | 55.1 | 34.4 | 10.1 | 21.4 | 13.4 |
| Health | 194.0 | 39.9 | 46.3 | 43.8 | 20.6 | 23.9 | 22.6 |
| Food and non-alcoholic drinks | 148.3 | 85.0 | 84.7 | 82.3 | 57.3 | 57.2 | 55.5 |
| Transport | 136.0 | 68.4 | 102.8 | 62.7 | 50.3 | 75.6 | 46.1 |
| Communication | 115.1 | 106.6 | 64.5 | 80.8 | 92.6 | 56.1 | 70.2 |
| Restaurants and hotels | 187.5 | 41.6 | 98.0 | 30.5 | 22.2 | 52.3 | 16.2 |
Source · World Bank, International Comparison Program 2021.
Section 05 · Healthcare
How do health prices and Australian health cover compare in Thailand, Poland and Malaysia?
Health prices in Thailand were 20.6% of Australia's level in 2021, according to the World Bank International Comparison Program6. Malaysia was at 22.6% of Australia's level, while Poland was at 23.9%.
Australia's price level for health goods and services was 194.0 on the index, where the world average is 1006. The comparable index was 46.3 in Poland, 43.8 in Malaysia and 39.9 in Thailand. The measure covers health goods and services used by households, whether households or governments pay for them.
A pensioner who leaves Australia to live overseas has their Pensioner Concession Card cancelled on departure, according to the Department of Social Services3. On a temporary trip, the card remains current for six weeks after departure.
Section 06 · Exchange rates
How have exchange rates changed the Age Pension's value in baht, ringgit and zloty?
The A$29,520.40 maximum basic rate for a single person outside Australia was worth 691,073 baht a year at 30 September 2026, when the Australian dollar bought 23.41 baht, according to the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA)9. On the same day, the Australian dollar bought 2.8477 ringgit, according to the RBA, and 2.6818 zloty, according to Narodowy Bank Polski, Poland's central bank10.
At those rates, the maximum basic rate was worth 84,065 ringgit9 or 79,168 zloty a year10.
The Australian dollar rose by 9.6% against the baht over the year to 30 September 2026, from 21.35 to 23.41, and by 2.3% against the ringgit, from 2.7834 to 2.84779. Against the zloty, it rose by 11.7%, from 2.4004 to 2.681810.
From the end of January 2010 to the end of September 2026, the Australian dollar fell 20.8% against the baht, from 29.54 to 23.419. Over the same period, it fell 6.5% against the ringgit but rose 3.3% against the zloty10.
An example calculation shows how different historical exchange rates would change the local-currency value of the current pension rate. Using the A$29,520.40 maximum basic rate, the lowest month-end rate from January 2010 to September 2026, at 20.16 baht in March 2020, would convert it to 595,131 baht a year9. The highest, at 33.22 baht in July 2012, would convert it to 980,668 baht a year.
Services Australia can pay the Age Pension into an overseas bank account in local currency or US dollars, depending on the country1. Pensioners living outside Australia long term are paid every four weeks.
Banks and money transfer businesses that move money from an Australian account set their own exchange rates and fees, according to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission's Moneysmart11.
| Age Pension maximum basic rate outside Australia in Thai baht, Malaysian ringgit and Polish zloty, 30 September 2026 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Currency | A$1 at 30 September 2026 | Year change (%) | A$1,135.40 a fortnight | A$29,520.40 a year | Low since 2010 | High since 2010 |
| Thai baht | 23.41 | +9.6 | 26,579.71 | 691,072.56 | 20.16 (March 2020) | 33.22 (July 2012) |
| Malaysian ringgit | 2.8477 | +2.3 | 3,233.28 | 84,065.24 | 2.6525 (March 2020) | 3.4172 (July 2017) |
| Polish zloty | 2.6818 | +11.7 | 3,044.92 | 79,167.81 | 2.3646 (June 2025) | 3.5228 (July 2012) |
Source · Reserve Bank of Australia, F11 Exchange rates (baht and ringgit); Narodowy Bank Polski, Table A average exchange rates (zloty).
Section 07 · Pension rules
Which Australian pension and super rules apply in Thailand, Poland and Malaysia?
Poland is the only one of the three countries with a social security agreement with Australia, according to Services Australia12. Australia's social security agreements in Asia cover India, Japan and Korea, and do not include Thailand or Malaysia13.
Under the agreement with Poland, periods of Polish social security coverage can count towards the 10 years of residence required for the Australian Age Pension14. A person living in Poland can lodge an Australian claim there. A claim lodged from Poland under the agreement needs at least 12 months of Australian working life residence, including six months in one continuous period.
Without an agreement, an Age Pension claim must be lodged while the person is living in Australia, physically in Australia and an Australian resident15. The person must be 67 or older and generally needs 10 years of Australian residence, including five years without a break16.
A former resident who returns to Australia to live and is granted the Age Pension can have the payment stop if they leave Australia again within two years of returning, unless they travel to an agreement country such as Poland17.
Superannuation (super) stays preserved until the member meets a condition of release, such as retiring after reaching preservation age or turning 6518. Preservation age is 60 for anyone born from 1 July 1964.
Australian citizens and permanent residents cannot claim the departing Australia superannuation payment. This payment is available to eligible temporary residents after they leave Australia19.
From age 60, an account-based pension and a lump sum from the taxed element of super are generally not taxed in Australia, while an untaxed element can be taxed20.
Australia has an income tax treaty in force with each of Thailand, Poland and Malaysia21.
Average savings balances before retirement are set out in average savings in Australia by age.
| Australian pension, health and tax arrangements with Thailand, Poland and Malaysia | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrangement | Thailand | Poland | Malaysia |
| Social security agreement with Australia | No | Yes | No |
| Australian Age Pension claim lodged from the country | No, claim in Australia | Yes, under the agreement | No, claim in Australia |
| Age Pension payable while living there | Yes, proportional after 26 weeks | Yes | Yes, proportional after 26 weeks |
| Reciprocal health care agreement | No | No | No |
| Income tax treaty in force | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Source · Services Australia; Department of Social Services, Social Security Guide; Treasury, Income tax treaties.
Section 08
Retiring overseas on Australian income: quick answers
Can the Age Pension be paid in Thailand?
Yes, the Age Pension can be paid for any length of time to a person living in Thailand, provided they remain qualified. After 26 weeks outside Australia, the rate depends on years of Australian working life residence, and 35 years are needed for the full rate4.
How much is the Age Pension for a single person living overseas?
The maximum basic rate for a single person living outside Australia long term is A$29,520.40 a year from 20 September 2026, or A$1,135.40 a fortnight1. The Pension Supplement and Energy Supplement stop when a pensioner leaves Australia to live overseas.
Is it cheaper to live in Malaysia than in Australia?
Consumer prices in Malaysia were lower than in Australia in 2021, with the household consumption price level at 31.7% of Australia's and housing, water and energy at 13.4%, according to the World Bank International Comparison Program6. These are national averages for 2021 and approximations, so prices in a particular city can differ.
Can super be withdrawn when moving overseas?
Australian citizens and permanent residents cannot withdraw super because they move overseas, and the departing Australia superannuation payment is available only to eligible former temporary residents. Super can generally be accessed after retiring on or after reaching preservation age, which is 60 for anyone born from 1 July 1964, or from age 6518.
Does Australia have a reciprocal health care agreement with Thailand, Poland or Malaysia?
No, Australia's reciprocal health care agreements cover 11 countries, and Thailand, Poland and Malaysia are not among them8. A pensioner who leaves Australia to live overseas also has their Pensioner Concession Card cancelled on departure.
References
- Services Australia, Payment schedule and rates for people outside Australia: Age Pension · servicesaustralia.gov.au ↑ b c d
- Services Australia, How much Age Pension you can get (rates from 20 September 2026) · servicesaustralia.gov.au ↑ b
- Department of Social Services, Social Security Guide 7.1.2, Payments with unlimited portability · guides.dss.gov.au ↑ b c
- Department of Social Services, Social Security Guide 7.2.2, Proportional portability rate & AWLR · guides.dss.gov.au ↑ b c d
- Australian Bureau of Statistics, Selected Living Cost Indexes, Australia, June 2026 · Australian Bureau of Statistics ↑ b
- World Bank, International Comparison Program (ICP) 2021 database · databank.worldbank.org ↑ b c d e f g h i j k l m
- World Bank, ICP 2021 Frequently asked questions · thedocs.worldbank.org ↑ b
- Services Australia, About reciprocal health care agreements · servicesaustralia.gov.au ↑ b
- Reserve Bank of Australia, Exchange Rates: Statistical Table F11 (monthly) · Reserve Bank of Australia ↑ b c d e f
- Narodowy Bank Polski, Table A average exchange rates, Australian dollar · api.nbp.pl ↑ b c d
- ASIC Moneysmart, Sending money overseas · moneysmart.gov.au ↑
- Services Australia, International social security agreements between Australia and countries in Europe · servicesaustralia.gov.au ↑
- Services Australia, International social security agreements between Australia and countries in Asia · servicesaustralia.gov.au ↑
- Services Australia, Social Security Agreement between Australia and Poland (INT041.2506) · servicesaustralia.gov.au ↑ b
- Services Australia, Residence rules for Age Pension · servicesaustralia.gov.au ↑
- Services Australia, Who can get Age Pension · servicesaustralia.gov.au ↑
- Services Australia, Travel outside Australia rules for Age Pension · servicesaustralia.gov.au ↑
- Australian Taxation Office, Super withdrawal options · ato.gov.au ↑ b
- Australian Taxation Office, Departing Australia superannuation payment (DASP) · ato.gov.au ↑
- Australian Taxation Office, Tax on super benefits · ato.gov.au ↑
- Treasury, Income tax treaties · treasury.gov.au ↑