Retired and asset rich but cash poor? The pension loans scheme may help
To help pensioners who are rich in assets but poor in income, the government launched a version of a commercially available financial product, the reverse mortgage.
The government's answer for pensioners who find themselves in the above situation is its pension loans scheme (PLS), whereby a pensioner can apply for a non-taxable loan using some form of real property as security. The PLS does not provide a lump sum, but a regular fortnightly payment.
At present the scheme is only open to those on a full pension, but the 2018 Federal Budget announced the government intends to open the PLS to all pension-age retirees (not just those who qualify for the Age Pension).
