Loans for pensioners

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Loan options for retirees

Credit24 Short Term Loan

Credit24 Short Term Loan

• Borrow up to $2,000
• Get a decision in minutes
• Flexible repayments

100% confidential application

Credit24 Short Term Loan Offer

Credit24 offer a fast and easy online application for up to $2,000. You can apply 24/7 with a good credit rating and employment to be approved.

• Loan amount: $2,000
• Loan term: 6-12 months
• Turnaround time: Same day - conditions apply
• Fees: 20% of loan amount establishment fee + 4% of loan amount monthly.
• You must earn $600 p/m
• Quick and easy Approval of your loan with good credit

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Name	Product	Maximum loan amount	Term of Loan	Turnaround time	Arrears Fee	Costs	Fortnightly Repayment (for $1500 Loan)
Credit24 Short Term Loan		$2,000	6-12 months	Same day - conditions apply	$10	20% of loan amount establishment fee + 4% of loan amount monthly.	$396	Credit24 offers this loan up to $2,000 and gives you 12 months to repay. Centrelink borrowers are considered as long as Centrelink payments are not more than 50% of income.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Ferratum Cash Loans		$1,900	3 to 12 months	Same day - conditions apply	$55	20% of borrowed amount + 4% of borrowed amount each month	$396	Borrow what you need with loans starting from $500 and approval in minutes.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Some of the brands that consider pensioners for a loan

Brand	Can pensioners apply?	What conditions are there?
Cash Converters		Your loan repayments cannot exceed 20% of your income from the pension.
Cash Stop		You're able to apply.
ClearCash		You're able to apply, applications are handled on a case-by-case basis.
Credit24		At least 50% of your income needs to come from outside of Centrelink payments.
Ferratum Loans		You need to earn 50% of your income from outside of Centrelink payments.
Good to Go Loans		You're able to apply, applications are handled on a case-by-case basis.
Nimble		You need to be employed and your primary source of income can't be from Centrelink.
Rapid Finance		You're able to apply, applications are handled on a case-by-case basis.

Banks that may consider you for a loan

Brand	Can pensioners apply?	What conditions are there?
ANZ		You need to earn $15,000 p.a.
Bank of Melbourne		Age pension and DSP are accepted. You'll need to provide a letter from Centrelink detailing your pension payments.
BankSA		You're able to apply, applications are handled on a case-by-case basis.
Bank Australia		You're able to apply, applications are handled on a case-by-case basis.
Bankwest		DSP and parenting payments are accepted. You'll need supplementary income to be able to apply.
Bendigo Bank		You need to be in regular, paid employment. Centrelink payments are accepted with supplementary income.
Citibank		You need to earn $40,000 p.a. Age pension is accepted. You can apply if your pension income is taxable.
Commonwealth Bank		You need to earn $14,000 p.a. Parenting payments, DSP and carer's pension are accepted.
NAB		Some Centrelink income is considered. You need to demonstrate you can afford the loan repayments.
St.George		Parenting payments and DSP are accepted.
Westpac		You need to earn $35,000 p.a. DSP is accepted.

What finance options do I have as a pensioner?

Lenders take into account the borrower's income as an indicator of their ability to repay the loan. As a pensioner, this can be problematic as you no longer earn an income. This means that your loan options may be limited compared to when you were employed.

But there are loans you can apply for, depending on your financial situation and your pension. There are also government-assisted schemes and community financial-assistance programs. Some of these loans feature no or low interest rates and may be easier to pay back.

How much can I borrow as a pensioner?

Depending on the loan you apply for, you may be able to borrow up to $3,000. However, most traditional lenders cap it at $2,000. You may be able to get a bigger loan if you have savings, assets and a good relationship with your bank.

Will I be eligible for a bank loan as a pensioner?

Banks have a strict lending criteria. This is because banks are regulated by both ASIC and APRA and so have limitations on who they can lend to. Most banks, for instance, will not consider bad credit applicants. However, they do consider pensioners, although you may not be able to borrow as much as if you were employed. Depending on the bank, there may also be a minimum income threshold. If you have a good relationship with your bank, your chances of approval may increase. The table above includes a breakdown of banks that lend to pensioners and their conditions.

What loans can I apply for as a pensioner?

There are several loans you may be eligible for, including loans with low documentation requirements. You can apply for the following loans:

• Loans from your current bank. If you have a good history with your bank or credit union, this may be a good place to start. As you already have an existing relationship with them, it may be easier to be approved for a loan. You can visit in-branch to find out what loans may be available to you.
• Low doc personal loans. These loans are designed for self-employed applicants or for borrowers whose income is tied up in investments. Low doc personal loans don't require as much documentation and are generally easier to apply. They are also approved faster. As these types of loans are more risky for the lender, they tend to be more expensive. Lenders usually charge higher interest rates. If you are using an asset as security, you may only be able to borrow up to 80% of the property price.
• Short term loans. These loans are also known as payday loans. They are small loans that come with short repayment terms. You can usually borrow between $100 and $2,000 for a period of 16 days to 1 year. The lender will look at your income and expenses as an indicator of your ability to repay the loan. There are many pros and cons to consider with short term loans. The application process is fast. You could potentially receive the money within hours or a day of applying. However, they are generally more expensive. They also come with higher fees and shorter repayment periods than standard personal loans. There may also be many extra charges, adding to the cost of this loan. It is also easier to fall into a debt trap with this type of loan.
• Bank loans. Some banks consider applicants receiving disability or age pension. You may have to meet a minimum income threshold to be eligible.
• Loans for retirees. These loans are specifically designed for people who receive age pensions, are self-funded retirees or pensioners. Learn more by reading our guide on loans for retired people.
• Bad credit loans for pensioners. You may still be eligible for loans if you're a pensioner with a bad credit history. However, these loans can be expensive. This is because lenders usually charge higher establishment and monthly fees. There may also be costly penalties for late payments.

What should I watch for with payday loans?

Before you apply for a payday loan, you need to keep an eye out for the following:

• Disreputable lenders. Check the lender's website and make sure it's a reputable company. There have been many cases where scammers have pretended to be a loan provider. You should check if they are licensed with ASIC. They should also be easy to contact.
• High interest rates and fees. Payday loans of $2,000 or less do not include an interest fee. Rather, they have a hefty fee to cover the cost of borrowing. There are also fees for late payments. These fees are regulated by ASIC and it's illegal for lenders to charge more.
• Multiple applications. Every loan application shows up on credit reports. Some payday lenders may not consider your credit history. But several applications within a short period can have a negative impact on your credit score.
• Unaffordable repayments. You should consider how much your repayments cost and whether you can afford them. You should also ask yourself if you can pay the loan within the repayment window. Most of these loans come with short repayment terms, so include that in your calculations. You should ensure the loan is repaid within the loan term. If you wish to extend your loan term, keep in mind that extra fees will apply.
• Long-term repercussions and legal issues. Once you sign a loan agreement, you are bound to its conditions. You will have to pay the loan and all the fees and payments. Typically, these are unsecured loans. This means that the lender can initiate legal proceedings against you if you do not repay the loan.

What government assistance schemes can I apply for?

The Australian government has established a few support schemes for pensioners. These include the following:

• Pension Loan Schemes. You can apply for this loan if you are of pension age and are eligible or receive an Age Pension. If you own real estate, you could get tax-free fortnightly payments for a short or indefinite period. This loan is secured against the real estate you own and allows you to access extra income. You are taking out a loan against your equity and receiving payments every fortnight. You could get up to 150% of your pension as a loan.
• No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS). This interest-free loan scheme is offered by Good Shepherd Microfinance and is subsidised by the government. It is offered by 170 local community organisations across 600 locations in Australia. These loans let you borrow up to $1,500 with a loan term between 12 to 18 months. As the name suggests, these loans come without interest rates and feature no fees or charges. You will only have to repay the amount you borrowed. You can use this loan to buy essential household items, medical expenses or car repairs. You will need to hold a pension card to be eligible.
• Centrelink Cash Advance. If you receive regular pension payments from Centrelink, you may be able to bring it forward as a cash advance. This is not an additional payment, but an advance on your existing payments. You may be eligible depending on how long you have been with Centrelink, the type of payment you receive and how much you receive.

What community financial assistance programs can I apply for?

You can apply for these community financial assistance programs if you are eligible:

• Saver Plus. This is a financial education and matched savings program. It helps families and low-income earners improve their finances by developing savings plans and building assets. Your savings will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $500.
• Good Money. Operating out of Victoria, this community finance hub helps people access no or low interest personal loans, such as NILS. This is to help people purchase household goods. It also helps people better manage their money and improve their finances.
• NAB StepUP program. This program offers low-rate personal loans for amounts between $800 and $3,000. It can be used to buy essential household items. There are no fees and charges with this loan, and the interest rate is fixed.

How can I apply for a pensioner loan?

You can use the table above to find a pensioner loan. You can use it to compare between lenders and see which loan you can apply for. Apart from the interest rate, you should look at the comparison rate. You should also compare between lenders. Also keep an eye out for any additional costs like exit fees or early repayment fees.

Once you've found an option that suits you, you can click "go to site" to begin your application. If you have questions about your eligibility, you should contact the provider directly by phone, online or in-branch. As every loan application gets listed on your credit file, it is best to be certain of your eligibility. Too many applications made within a short period can affect your credit score. This could reduce your ability to get credit in the future.

To make the application process easier, you should keep the following documents handy:

• Proof of identification. You must be able to show proof of age and identity, including that of your partner if applicable.
• Financial Information. This includes your pension payments, bank statements, proof of assets, debts and open credit accounts.