Finding Clarity Through Centrelink
How a bit of coordination turned a confusing process into a straightforward one.
"I'd started the Centrelink application twice on my own and given up both times. Having someone coordinate it with me made all the difference."
Margaret*, Vostro Private Wealth client
The Situation
Margaret, 66, had been a Vostro Private Wealth client for several years, working with her adviser on her superannuation and broader retirement plan. She'd always assumed the Age Pension wasn't really relevant to her situation and had never looked into it. It wasn't until a routine review meeting that her adviser raised it, pointing out that her current asset position meant she was likely eligible for at least a part pension. Once she decided to pursue it, the application itself was where she got stuck. Between working out which assets counted under the assets test, gathering bank statements and superannuation records, and making sense of the deeming rules on her investments, she'd started the online application twice and abandoned it both times.How We Helped
Prefilled the forms using what we already had on file
Rather than starting from scratch, we used the details already held on Margaret's file, her assets, income and superannuation, to prefill as much of the Centrelink paperwork as possible.
Checked everything with Margaret
Before anything was lodged, we went through the prefilled forms with Margaret to confirm every detail was accurate and current, and to fill any gaps we didn't already have on file.
Submitted the application on her behalf
Once Margaret was happy everything was correct, we lodged the application for her, so she didn't have to navigate the online portal herself.
Managed the process end to end
We only needed to reach out to Margaret when Centrelink came back requesting further information or an update to something on file. Outside of that, we handled the process for her from start to finish.
The Outcome
Margaret's application was approved without further delay, and she now receives a part Age Pension that fits neatly alongside her superannuation income as part of her broader retirement plan. More than the outcome itself, she's told us the biggest relief was simply not having to face the process alone. What had felt overwhelming on her own became a handful of straightforward steps with someone in her corner.Please note: This is a hypothetical scenario for illustrative purposes only. Margaret is not a real client, and any resemblance to an actual person is coincidental. Names and identifying details have been changed, but the situation reflects the kind of support we provide regularly. This story does not constitute financial advice and outcomes will vary depending on individual circumstances. Please contact us directly to discuss your own situation.
