Pensioner loans

Retired? Click here to see your loan options

What loan options do pensioners have?

Loans that are available will depend on your financial situation and also the type of pension you receive. Here are a few options that people on the pension can consider:

• Your existing bank. If you've held an account with your bank or credit union and have a good history with it, this may be a good place to start. You can visit in-branch to discuss your options and find out what loans might be available.
• Low doc personal loans. These loans are designed for self-employed applicants or for borrowers whose incomes are tied up in investments. Keep in mind that these loans usually come with higher interest rates and will normally only let you borrow up to 80% of the property price.
• Short term loans.These are small loans that are repaid in the short term. You can usually borrow between $100 and $2,000 for a period of 16 days up to 1 year. Your income and expenses will be verified before your loan is potentially funded. These type of loans are usually used in situations where you need money in your bank account quickly to pay for unexpected bills or expenses. Keep in mind these loans come with much higher fees and shorter repayment periods than other standard personal loans, and can involve many extra charges.
• Bank loans. Some banks, such as those listed in the table above, consider applicants receiving the disability pension or age pension. You will usually need to meet minimum income criteria to be approved.
• Loans for retirees. These are loans that are specifically designed for people who receive the age pension, are self-funded retirees, or are pensioners. Follow the link below to find out more about retired loans.
• Bad credit loans for pensioners. It's still possible to get loan if you're a pensioner with a bad credit history. Although these loans can be expensive as lenders will normally charge higher establishment and monthly fees as well as costly penalties for late payments.

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.	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 are the risks of no credit check loans?

• Unreputable lenders. Check the lender has a credit licence and is not charging you more than ASIC allows. The lender should be easily contactable.
• Unaffordable repayments. Consider the size of the regular repayments and ensure the loan is able to be repaid during the loan term. If not, extra fees apply to extend it. Be careful, since repayment periods for these kinds of loans tend to be shorter than regular loans.
• Multiple applications. Every loan application shows up on credit reports. While lenders might not consider credit history, several applications within a short period can have a negative impact on your credit score moving forward.
• Check rates and fees. Establishment and monthly fees are capped, so be wary of lenders quoting prices beyond the legal maximum amounts. Be crystal clear on what will be charged for late payments or a default on the loan. The total cost of the loan matters here - lenders can charge interest rates on top of everything else.
• Long-term repercussions and legal issues. Once the loan agreement is signed, the customer is bound to its conditions until the loan and any associated rates and fees have been paid. Typically these loans are unsecured, which means that the lender can initiate legal proceedings against the customer if they can't repay.

Government assistance schemes

The government has established a few schemes and support options for people who are receiving the pension:

• Pension Loans Scheme
  This loan is for people who are of pension age but are ineligible for the Age Pension due to assets or income. This scheme allows access to capital tied up in assets to provide extra income. Fortnightly payments can add up to the maximum amount of the Age Pension.
• No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS)
  This interest-free loan scheme offers loans of up to $1,200 to people on low incomes to buy essential household items, health items or to pay for car repairs in some cases. Those who are eligible must hold a pension card and be willing to repay the loan within 12 or 18 months.
• Centrelink Cash Advance
  If you regularly receive pension payments you may be eligible to receive one of your payments in advance. Whether you're eligible depends on the type of payment you receive, how long you've been receiving it and the amount you receive.

Community financial assistance programs

• Saver Plus
  This program helps families and low-income earners to improve their finances by developing savings plans and building assets. Savings will be matched dollar for dollar up to a limit of $500.
• Good Money
  Operating out of Victoria, this community finance hub helps people access no- or low-interest personal loans, such as NILS, to purchase household goods. It also helps people to 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 to buy essential household items. There are no fees and charges and the interest rate is fixed.

How can pensioners apply for loans?

The table above is one starting point to find a pensioner loan. The table shows some personal loan options that are available and you can click "Go to site" to submit your application. If you have questions regarding eligibility it would be best to contact the brand directly.

Be aware that every loan application made gets listed on a credit file and too many applications within a short space of time can affect chances with a prospective lender. Contacting a bank directly via phone, online, or in branch before starting the application process can help determine whether they will approve a loan.

Remember to compare the different comparison rate for each loan as well as checking for any additional costs like exit fees or early repayment fees.

To apply, you will need to provide personal information including your name and contact details, as well as financial information regarding your pension payments, assets, debts and open credit accounts.

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