Key takeaways
- Lenders view pensioners as higher-risk borrowers for home loans because they are typically older and on smaller incomes.
- A lender may be willing to offer a home loan to a pensioner, and may consider your pension as a form of income when assessing your application.
- A broker can help you look for loans and lenders that match your requirements. Their services are typically free to you because the lender you choose will pay them a commission
Getting a loan as a pensioner always comes down to the lender's eligibility criteria and your individual circumstances. This includes your savings and other sources of income, whether you have outstanding debts or not and the amount you are hoping to borrow.
How can I get a home loan on a pension?
If your only source of income is the pension, then this might limit your options. The pension amount is lower than the income level most lenders require you to earn in order to repay a loan.
However, there are several ways a pensioner can apply for mortgage finance. The best option for you depends on your financial situation.
1) Apply for a standard home loan
If you have forms of income from other sources or you are only borrowing a small amount, you may be able to apply for a home loan like any other borrower. If this is your situation you might be able to get a competitive interest rate, so be sure to compare your home loan options.
2) Apply with a specialist lender
There are lenders who specialise in providing finance solutions to borrowers in difficult or unique circumstances. There are even lenders who focus entirely on older borrowers. These types of lenders provide loans known as specialist or non-conforming loans.
Non-conforming lenders may be able to help where the big banks can't. But they often charge higher interest rates and fees.
Keep in mind that many lenders that specialise in "senior's finance" don't actually lend to pensioners who don't already own property. Instead they offer reverse mortgages and other forms of equity access to older Australians who already own property.
3) Talk to a mortgage broker
Perhaps the best option for pensioners looking for a home loan is to get in touch with a mortgage broker. This is because mortgage brokers specialise in helping borrowers in unique circumstances and they have access to a wide panel of lenders.
A broker can help you look for loans and lenders that match your requirements. Their services are typically free to you because the lender you choose will pay them a commission.
What documents do pensioners need for a home loan?
As a pensioner you will need to provide a few extra documents in addition to the standard documents in a mortgage application. Every lender has their own requirements but you'll generally need to provide the following:
- Evidence of funds to complete the deposit.
- Bank statements showing Centrelink benefits being paid into your bank account (i.e. some lenders require 6 months of recent bank statements).
- Letter from Centrelink (or other relevant government department) confirming the status and nature of your disability pension.
What about borrowers on disability pensions and veterans' pensions?
Disability Support pensions
Generally, lenders consider a disability pension to be a valid form of income, meaning they treat a home loan application for someone on a disability pension just like any other application.
Most lenders will review your application on a case-by-case basis. Your eligibility for a home loan will depend on the amount of income you receive and how much of this can be used to service a loan.
Other factors including your age, assets and debts will be assessed by a lender on an individual basis.
Veterans' pensions
Many lenders may accept a Veterans' Pension as a source of income for a home loan. This applies if you are receiving:
- War Widow's or Widow's Pension
- Service Pension
- Veterans' Affairs Age Pension
Additionally, lenders may accept the Department of Veterans' Affairs Incapacity Pension as a source of income. In order to demonstrate your pension as a source of income for a home loan application, you'll need either a current bank statement showing your pension payment, or a current Department of Veterans' Affairs statement.
On Centrelink? You could still get a home loan
Other mortgage types for older borrowers
If you're a pensioner who already owns their own home you have some other finance options. Both reverse mortgages and line of credit loans allow you to borrow money against the equity in your home.
- Reverse mortgages. A reverse mortgage allows you to borrow funds using equity from your home as security for the loan. A reverse mortgage can either be paid as a lump sum, a regular stream of income, a line of credit or a combination of these. No income is needed to qualify and for this reason, the interest rate tends to be higher. You must repay the sum of borrowed money when you sell your home, pass away or move into aged care.
- Line of credit loans. A line of credit is a funding line that uses the equity in your home. It’s an approved amount that you can use a bit at a time or all at once. You loan is approved against a security and you can draw on this loan amount at any time. You only pay the interest on the amount that you use. For example, if you get a line of credit of $200,000 and only use $50,000, you only pay interest on the $50,000. These types of loans can be harder to get, and not all lenders offer them.
Looking to compare loan options?
In the tables below you can compare various finance options, from normal home loans to reverse mortgages and lines of credit. Please be aware that not all of the options presented in the table will be available for pensioners. If you're a pensioner and are looking for expert guidance, contact a mortgage broker for personal advice.
Compare reverse mortgages
Compare line of credit loans
What is Finder Score?
The Finder Score crunches 7,000 home loans across 120+ lenders. It takes into account the product's interest rate, fees and features, as well as the type of loan eg investor, variable, fixed rate - this gives you a simple score out of 10.
To provide a Score, we compare like-for-like loans. So if you're comparing the best home loans for cashback, you can see how each home loan stacks up against other home loans with the same borrower type, rate type and repayment type. We also take into consideration the amount of cashback offered when calculating the Score so you can tell if it's really worth it.
Read the full Finder Score breakdown
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Ask a question
Hi Dian,
Thanks for your enquiry.
To discuss your options, you can contact one of the mortgage brokers listed above on this page.
Thanks,
Belinda
Hi, we are both on disability pensions with 2 little boys. We haven’t got the best credit but are fixing that all up. We haven’t got a deposit. We have found some places under the $200,000 and were just wanting to know if there is anyone that would loan to us?
Hi Vanessa,
thanks for the question.
There are some lenders which will grant home loans to those on pensions. I would recommend contacting one of the mortgage brokers on this page to see if you would be able to get approved for a home loan.
Cheers,
Marc.
my partner and i live in dept of housing because we are living in a three bedroom home they want us to pay for the extra bedrooms we are currently paying 600 a month i saw a house at residential flat in nsw needs work but we would love to do that price is 45000 would we be able to borrow it would cost less to pay off than what we pay in rent regards colleen
Hi Colleen,
Thanks for your enquiry.
Depending on your situation and the eligibility criteria of your lender, you may be in a position to apply for a loan.
You can contact one of the mortgage brokers listed on this page to discuss your specific situation.
I hope this helps.
Thanks,
Belinda
My wife and I own our home with nothing owing.It is worth around $150,000.00We will have $30,000 deposit.Both on disability pension and want to buy a house for around $150,000 for daughter to live in.Will any bank assist us most seem not to accept disability pensioner no matter how good credit is.
Hi Graeme,
Thank you for your inquiry.
There are a range of things that are taken into consideration when a lender is reviewing your application for a home loan. It might be useful to contact a mortgage broker who you can discuss your specific needs, circumstances and options and they can take you through the application process.
Regards
Jodie
Hey I am 62 years young and have sold my home. I have $100,000 deposit for another home or unit. I am on a disability pension and was wondering if I am eligible for a loan to help me buy another home unit or town house?
Thank you, Charmaine
Hi Charmaine,
thanks for the question.
Your eligibility for a loan will differ depending on what home loan lender you choose. I would recommend lodging an enquiry with a mortgage broker (you can lodge an enquiry on this page by clicking on the links in the table), as they can tell you what lender will be more likely to approve your home loan.
Cheers,
Marc.