Free magazine for Australia’s self-funded retirees

The Minister for Community Services, Mr Larry Anthony, today announced that, for the first time, over 200,000 self-funded retirees will be sent the Age Pension News, Australia’s largest circulating publication for pensioners and retirees.

Mr Anthony made the announcement as part of the International Day of Older Persons.

“This free publication will be sent to all self-funded retirees who have a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card,” Mr Anthony said.

Mr Anthony said since the Federal Government introduced a more generous income test for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card in January this year, over 200,000 self-funded retirees now have access to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

“Self-funded retiree card holders will be sent the Age Pension News giving them access to authoritative and useful information on lifestyle, health and financial arrangements issues that affect them.”

National President of the Association of Independent Retirees, Mrs Maureen Kingston AOM, welcomed the move saying Age Pension News gave independent retirees access to important information about issues that affect older people.

“Self-funded retirees face many of the same issues that affect age and service pensioners so I congratulate the Federal Government for ensuring this important publication is sent to over 200,000 older people who have planned for their retirement,” Mrs Kingston said.

Mr Anthony said that since its inception over ten years ago, the Age Pension News had become a well regarded institution amongst the Australia’s senior community.

“Currently the Age Pension News sent to Australia’s two million age and service pensioners making it one of the biggest circulations of any publication in Australia.”

“The quarterly 16-page colour magazine will be mailed to retirees during September and October.”

Mr Anthony said the decision to expand distribution of the Age Pension News to Australia’s self-funded retirees demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to older people in our community.

“Self-funded retirees have paid taxes, raised families, defended our country and made an enormous contribution to our communities, it is only fitting we acknowledge their contribution,” Mr Anthony said.