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
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Compare line of credit loans
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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
I’m on disability pension so is my flat mate we are wanting to buy a home as with the rent we pay now cld have brought us a beautiful home .
So we are lookin for some one to loan one of us or the both of us home loan
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for getting in touch!
It’s helpful to know that we are not an approving body for home loans. The information above will pave the way for how to get started on that home loan application and make sure you check the eligibility requirements of a home loan. To help you find the lender that suits you, you can speak to a mortgage broker who can take your personal circumstance into account and offer you a range of borrowing options. Good luck!
Best,
Nikki
Hi,
I am 53, single and paying a mortgage on my house but need to refinance, however I am on DSP. I have equity in my house and I really don’t want to sell. My mortgage is with one of the big 4. What would my chances be of refinancing, please?
Hi Trace,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
Regarding your refinancing query, it is best to speak to a mortgage broker who can take your personal circumstance into account and offer you a range of borrowing options. Having equity in the property should make it easier.
I hope this helps.
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any other enquiries.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
Hi
Can my husband and I get a fixed, interest only 30 year $150,000 home loan on aged pensions?
Lynette
Hi Lynette,
Thank you for your question.
A fixed-rate mortgages have a variety of fixed loan terms and these are offered by many lenders in the market. Given your circumstance, you can speak to a mortgage broker who can help you find a suitable fixed home loan option for you and your husband.
Hope this has helped.
Cheers,
May
I m 73 on an aged pension [single]. I receive family tax benefits A & B.I also receives child support of $200 per week. my total income is approx $1400 per fortnight.my mortgage payments with CBA are $ 690 per fortnight [4.67% interest]. I owe $226000 on my home .its valuation is $485000. its located Marysville vic3779.how could I get a line of credit of no more than $20000
Hi Chris,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
While it is true that being a pensioner may limit your options, you might still be able to find a lender who can help you. First, please review the information mentioned on this page to get a better understanding of how you can get a loan as a pensioner.
If you want to get a line of credit loan. On that page, you will see a table that allows you to conveniently compare a range of personal line of credit loans. Once you’ve found the right one for you, click on the “Go to site” green button to learn more or initiate your application. Please make sure that you’ve read the relevant T&Cs or PDS of the loan products before making a decision. Moreover, check the eligibility requirements as well and consider whether the product is right for you.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
I am 30 and have 3 children, 2 with a Autism, I am currently on the carrer’s pension and my wife is soon to be a fully qualified nurse (full time employment) I was wondering what the chances of getting a home loan would be?
Hi Nicholas,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
Generally, the longer your wife is working as a nurse, meaning, she has a stable source of income, the higher your chance of getting approved. For this reason, it would be a good idea to wait 2-3 months after your wife became a full-time employee before you apply for a loan.
Moreover, if you are applying for a loan as a pensioner, your income and financial position might limit your success in getting a home loan. Of course, if you have assets that you can use as collateral or you believe you can meet lending requirements, it would be a good idea to discuss your position in person with your lender. You may also speak to a mortgage broker to further know your options.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua