What is the minimum income for a pensioner to get a credit card?

Many low rate and low fee credit cards don’t publish a minimum income and instead ask for a regular, verifiable income. Where a minimum is published, it’s often around $30,000 a year, such as for the Westpac Low Rate card. If you get income from other sources as well, you could consider a wider range of cards as a retiree.

Are there credit cards for self-funded retirees?

Just as there are no specific credit cards for pensioners, there are none designed just for self-funded retirees. This means you can apply for any credit card if you meet the eligibility requirements. Just remember to also include supporting documentation that shows proof of regular payments to your bank account.

Do Centrelink payments count as income when you apply for a credit card as a senior?

Pension payments from Centrelink generally count towards a credit card's income requirement and superannuation or other investments can also be considered. But each credit card has different requirements so you should check the details listed for a card or contact the provider to find out exactly what's considered.

Compare credit cards for pensioners and retirees

8 of 92 results

Purchase rate p.a.	Interest-free days	Balance transfer rate p.a.	Annual fee
Latitude Gem Visa - Exclusive Offer Exclusive	28.99%	Up to 55 days on purchases	0% for 27 months with 3% balance transfer fee, then 29.99%	$143.40	Finder exclusive: Save with 0% p.a. for 27 months on Balance Transfers (with 3% balance transfer fee). Balance Transfer offer only available to new customers approved by 26 Feb 2027. Balance Transfer must be submitted by 31 Mar 2027. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Westpac Low Rate Card	13.74%	Up to 55 days on purchases	0% for 20 months with 3% balance transfer fee, then 21.99%	$84	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Latitude Low Rate Mastercard - Balance Transfer Offer	13.99%	Up to 55 days on purchases	0% for 25 months with 3% balance transfer fee, then 29.99%	$69	Balance Transfer offer only available to new customers approved by 31 Jan 2027. Balance Transfer must be submitted by 31 Mar 2027. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
BOQ Low Rate Visa Credit Card	13.99%	Up to 55 days on purchases	0% for 24 months with 3% balance transfer fee, then 21.99%	$65	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
ANZ Low Rate - Credit Back Offer	13.74%	Up to 55 days on purchases	23.49%	$58	Get $400 back on your card when you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases in the first 6 months from approval. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Coles Low Rate Mastercard	13.49%	Up to 55 days on purchases	0% for 18 months with 3% balance transfer fee, then 20.74%	$58	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
NAB Low Rate - Cashback Offer	13.99%	Up to 55 days on purchases	0% for 12 months with 3% balance transfer fee, then 22.99%	$99	Offers $400 cashback when you spend $5,000 on everyday purchases within the first 150 days.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
ING Orange One Low Rate Most Loved	12.99%	Up to 45 days on purchases		$48	This card comes with a loyalty program with built-in cashback offers. It also offers instalment plans to help you pay off purchases over time at a lower interest rate.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading

Showing 8 of 8 results

Can an Australian pensioner get a credit card?

Yes, you may be able to get a credit card, depending on your situation. There are no specific credit cards for pensioners or senior citizens in Australia. Instead, you can apply for any credit card, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements.

Because the pension is the main source of income for most retirees, the types of cards suited to seniors include:

Low rate credit cards

If you want to pay off purchases over time, a low rate credit card gives you a way to save on interest charges. Finder analysis has shown the average Australian with a credit card could save $100 by switching to one with a lower rate. These savings can really add up – especially if you're a pensioner.

Low or no annual fee credit cards

Credit card annual fees in Australia typically range from $30 to over $1,000. So a card with a low annual fee or an ongoing $0 annual fee helps you save on account costs. Just remember to check the card's other features, including interest rates, to make sure it will be suitable for what you want.

Low income credit cards

The full Age Pension in Australia is $1,237.70 a fortnight for a single person (about $32,180 a year) and $1,866 a fortnight for a couple combined (about $48,516 a year), including all supplements. Rates are indexed every March and September. This is lower than the average Australian income, so applying for a credit card suited to people with low incomes could increase your chance of approval as a pensioner.

Credit card application criteria for retirees and pensioners

Even though there are no credit cards designed just for pensioners or retirees, banks and other providers may have specific requirements you need to meet before you can get a credit card, such as:

Provider	Retiree and pensioner application details
American Express	Retired applicants: You can verify your income with an ATO Notice of Assessment, a recent superannuation statement showing your closing balance, or a letter from a registered accountant issued within the last 3 months. Pensioner applicants: You can provide your 2 most recent pension or Centrelink statements showing your payment amount and frequency, dated within the last 2 months. American Express doesn’t accept bank statements as proof of income.
ANZ	Retired applicants: A copy of your latest Annual Investment Statement or 3 months of bank statements showing regular income credits, with the most recent within 30 days. Pensioner applicants: A Centrelink statement (all pages) dated within 30 days and your most recent 3 months of bank statements showing consistent and clearly labelled government income.
Bank Australia	Retired applicants: You’ll need a regular source of income, and you may be asked for evidence such as a superannuation income statement. Pensioner applicants: Pension benefits are accepted as eligible income. You’ll need to provide evidence of your income such as your Centrelink statement.
Bankwest	Retired applicants: You can apply if you’re 18 or over and an Australian citizen or resident. You’ll need to give details of your income, expenses, assets and debts. Pensioner applicants: You may be asked for an income statement from Centrelink.
Bank of Melbourne	Retired applicants: Self-funded retirees are eligible to apply. Those on a government or age pension are also eligible. You’ll need to provide proof of your income such as your superannuation statement or Centrelink statement. Pensioner applicants: You may be asked for a recent government statement, such as one from Centrelink or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The Age Pension and other government payments can count as income, but contact Bank of Melbourne to check whether your payment type is accepted.
BankSA	Retired applicants: If you’re a self-funded retiree, you’ll need to provide a statement from your super fund as proof of your income. Pensioner applicants: You may be asked to provide a recent government statement, such as one from Centrelink, confirming your pension.
Bank of Queensland	Retirees and pensioners: You’ll need a regular income, and you may be asked for evidence such as bank statements showing your pension or superannuation income, or a recent pension or superannuation statement.
Bendigo Bank	Retirees and pensioners: Bendigo Bank accepts managed or self-managed superannuation income. You’ll need a super fund statement less than 12 months old and 3 months of bank statements showing regular super payments. SMSF members also need audited financial statements and a tax return no more than 18 months old. Bendigo Bank’s eligibility checker doesn’t list government payments such as the Age Pension as an accepted income source, so check with Bendigo Bank before you apply if you’re on a pension.
Coles	Retired applicants: Coles needs to verify your income before it approves your application. It will tell you during the application which documents to provide, such as bank statements, and it may contact your accountant to confirm your income. Pensioner applicants: Coles will ask for proof of your pension income during the application, such as a Centrelink statement, a Department of Veterans’ Affairs statement or bank statements showing your pension payments.
Commonwealth Bank	Retired applicants: Provide one of the following: bank statements showing 3 months of superannuation credits, your most recent superannuation statement or a letter from your fund, broker or accountant (less than 3 months old) showing your balance and income, or for an SMSF, a member benefit statement or financial report (less than 18 months old) with a signed auditor’s report or accountant’s letter. Pensioner applicants: Provide your latest bank statement or transaction history showing at least 3 months of account credits or your Centrelink income statement
Latitude Financial Services	Retired applicants: Self-funded retirees must provide a superannuation statement (issued within 45 days showing balance and frequency), a fund letter or accountant letter (dated within 31 days), or 3 months of bank statements (most recent credit within 31 days), or an ATO Notice of Assessment (last 18 months). Pensioner applicants: Provide a Centrelink/Services Australia or Veterans Affairs Statement / Letter (on DVA letterhead dated within 31 days showing benefit type and amount), or your online payment history/bank statements showing 2 consecutive income payments with the most recent deposited within the last 31 days.
NAB	Retired applicants: If NAB can’t verify your income, it may ask for one of the following: bank statements from the last 90 days showing your superannuation payments (or fund statements from the last 12 months if you’re paid quarterly or yearly), financial statements or an SMSF tax return for the last financial year, or a letter from your financial planner. Documents need to show your current superannuation balance. Pensioner applicants: Existing NAB customers who have their pension going into the account regularly may not require supporting documentation. New NAB customers may be asked to provide their most recent pension benefit statement.
St.George	Retired applicants: If you’re a self-funded retiree, you’ll either need to provide information of your assets or a recent superannuation statement. Pensioner applicants: St.George will require you to provide your most recent pension statement. Not all pensions are accepted as eligible income, so contact St.George to confirm whether your pension qualifies.
Virgin Money	Retired and pensioner applicants: Provide one of the following: a bank statement from the last 3 months showing regular Centrelink payments, an annual superannuation statement showing your pension amount, a letter from your superannuation fund confirming the amount you have invested and your likely pension amount, or a letter from Centrelink showing your permanent government pension amount.
Westpac	Retired applicants: If you’re a self-funded retiree, you’ll need to provide 3 months of bank statements showing superannuation, annuity, or investment deposits, or your latest Annual Investment Statement / ATO Notice of Assessment (less than 18 months old). Pensioner applicants: If you have a pension, you’ll need to provide 3 months of bank statements showing regular aged pension deposits, or a government letter from the last 2 months confirming your name and entitlements, or a Centrelink online statement showing your 4 most recent payments.

Is it harder to get a credit card as a pensioner or retiree?

Credit card companies use the same lending criteria for all applications, whether you're a pensioner, retiree or a full-time worker.

Why are credit card applications from pensioners declined?

Finder's research showed unsteady income (44%) and age (42%) were the two biggest reasons people in the baby boomer/retirement age group were declined for a card.

These are 2 of the factors providers look at when they're assessing your ability to make repayments and keep the account in good standing, and could have an impact on your chance of getting approved. Other reasons include:

Being rejected before: 10%
Too much debt: 8%
Bad credit score: 7%
No savings: 6%

Tip: If you're applying for a credit card as a pensioner, include as much supporting documentation as possible. This can improve your chance of approval because the credit card provider will be able to factor these details into their assessment. You could also contact the provider directly to discuss your eligibility.

Our expert says

"If you've retired with a solid income from superannuation, consider a frequent flyer credit card. The points you earn can be used for flights to visit family and holidays, and because you're retired, you'll have more flexibility to take advantage of reward flights."

Angus Kidman

Editor-at-large

Before applying for a credit card, check your credit score

It is harder to get a credit card if you have poor credit history. Banks and other lenders check your credit report when you apply for a card and consider late payments, defaults and bankruptcy as high risk. As well as a history of making late payments or not repaying debts, making several applications in a short amount of time can be an issue on your credit file.

You can request a free copy of your credit report and score through Finder, or from the credit reporting agencies directly. It's a great way to find out what information the banks will see about you when reviewing your credit card application.

Frequently asked questions

Finder writers are subject matter experts and use primary sources, in-depth research and interviews with other experts to ensure you're getting accurate, up-to-date information. Articles are fact checked in line with our editorial guidelines.
1. ASIC responsible lending information
2. Finder Consumer Sentiment Tracker data
3. Services Australia Age Pension details
4. Australian Bureau of Statistics

Thank you for your feedback!

Written by

Amy Bradney-George

Journalist

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Amy is an experienced journalist with over 16 years of experience, contributing to major publications like Money Magazine, The Sydney Morning Herald, and ABC News Australia. Specialising in personal finance, she frequently appeared in media outlets and on radio. Amy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Drama from Griffith University and earned RG146 certifications in Tier 1 Generic Knowledge and Tier 2 General Advice Deposit Products, ensuring her expertise is grounded in current financial regulations. Amy was Finder's Senior Writer for Credit Cards from 2016 to 2024. See full bio

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15 Responses

AlexAugust 18, 2017

Hi,please could you guys list the banks that accept disability pension?as I’ve spent 5 years of debt repayment,and have a 860 credit score now,and don’t want to make any mistakes,thank you.Alex.

ArnoldAugust 18, 2017

Hi Alex,

Thanks for your inquiry.

I recommend you check our list of pensioner credit cards.

Read more for the eligibility requirements, terms, and conditions before you apply.

Hope this information helped.

Cheers,
Arnold

SharonJune 28, 2017

I recently applied for a credit card on line and was told I do not fit the criteria As I have a self managed Super Fund retiree and take a lump sum each year. Is this the case with most banks ?

Finder

JhezelynJune 28, 2017Finder

Hi Sharon,

Thanks for your comment.

If you are a pensioner, some credit providers may think of you as a high risk applicant. They may not take into account the income you earn from super or elsewhere, and would only see the risk that you may not be able to pay back your credit card spending and interest. The banks will take in a range of factors when looking to approve such as your assets v liabilities, income v expenses, your savings history, your credit history etc.

You may want to check your options with the list of the banks above. Check the eligibility and the documents needed when applying.

Regards,
Jhezelyn

jenniferNovember 29, 2016

Is it ok to put down a guarantor

AnndyNovember 29, 2016

Hi Jennifer,

Thanks for your question.

If you are referring to having a guarantor on your credit card, yes you can do so. We have a credit card debt accountability guide where you can read more about what it means to be a guarantor for a credit card.

At the bottom of the same page, you can also find a link to institutions that offer joint credit cards where a person can co-sign on the credit card debt or act as a guarantor for the person.

Cheers
Anndy

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Credit cards for pensioners and retirees

If you're a pensioner or retiree, you can still get a new credit card. You just need to meet the eligibility criteria and provide the right documents when you apply.