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 alternatives
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Compare line of credit loans
Compare alternatives
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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
Selling current home, looking to downsize. What bank or other financial bodies will lend me money while I am on the age pension and my wife on a disability pension? I what to put in a 20% deposit.
Hi Reg,
Thanks for reaching out to us. Please note that we are not affiliated with any company we feature on our site and so we can only offer you general advice.
You can also have a look on these pages if you are on Centrelink or on a pension:
https://www.finder.com.au/pensioner-loans
https://www.finder.com.au/home-loans-for-centrelink-recipients
You’re actually also already on the correct page for helpful info ad compare your options.
Best regards,
Rench
I’m 69 years old, on an aged pension, married, House valued at $495000, present mortgage $52000. Wish to increase to $65000, but not reverse mortgage. Can anyone help ?
Hi Ray,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Every lender sets their own eligibility and income requirements on loans. They also have their own style in treating your assets, income and financial position and most lenders will review your application on a case-by-case basis. Your eligibility for a home loan will depend on the amount of benefit you receive and how much of this can be used to service a loan.
If you would like to apply for a home loan while on pension, you can speak to a mortgage broker who can take your personal circumstance into account and offer you a range of borrowing options. Once you have chosen a particular provider, you may then click on the “Enquire now” button and you will be redirected to the provider’s website where you can proceed with your query.
Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you. You can also contact the provider if you have specific questions.
I hope this information has helped.
Cheers,
Harold
I currently own (no mortgage, value $1m) a property together with my sister which is too large and we were wondering if we could take out a mortgage on our existing property of $500,000 and buy a smaller property with this money and rent out our existing property for $750 per week. We are both pensioners with a current joint income of $850 per week. Would lending institutions allow us to take out such a mortgage?
Hi Stuart,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Although the choices may be limited, there are loan options you and your sister can still possibly take advantage of. We’ve outlined the list above for your reference. Keep in mind that the loan availability will depend on your financial standing and also the type of pension you receive. You can use the comparison table above to help you find the lenders that suit you. If you determine that this is the type of loan that you’re looking for, you can click on the ‘Go to site’ button once they are ready to apply to be securely redirected to the brand’s website.
Alternatively, you can speak to a mortgage broker who can take your personal circumstance into account and offer you a range of borrowing options.
Before applying, please ensure they review the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions.
Best regards,
Rench
Hello, my parents are pensioners & have a deposit for a unit! What banks or lenders out there would take their Centrelink payment into account! Thank you for your help.
Hi Ana,
Thanks for reaching out to Finder.
Although the choices may be limited, there are loan options your parents can still possibly take advantage of. We’ve outlined the list above for your reference. Keep in mind that the loan availability will depend on your parent’s financial standing and also the type of pension they receive. You can use the comparison table above to help you find the lenders that suit them. If you determine that this is the type of loan that they’re looking for, you can click on the ‘Go to site’ button once they are ready to apply to be securely redirected to the brand’s website.
Alternatively, your parents can speak to a mortgage broker who can take their personal circumstance into account and offer them a range of borrowing options.
Before applying, please ensure they review the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions.
Cheers,
Joanne
Enquiring about a loan
Hello Luisa,
If you are inquiring about home loans that are available to pensioners, I see you are on the right.
To assist you further, I would like to gain clarification on your home loan requirements.
Information such as loan amount, years to pay, are a good way to start.
Hope to hear from you again soon.
Cheers,
Gru