Personal loans for pensioners in Australia: What are the options?

If you’re on a pension and looking to take out a personal loan, what options are available and what might you want to consider?

While it is generally more difficult to take out a traditional personal loan from a lender if you receive a pension, it may still be possible. But it’s important to understand the risks and it may be worth considering alternative options, such as borrowing the money you need through a government scheme.

We take a look at some of the potential pensioner loans, as well as some of the possible alternatives to borrowing money.

Can you get a personal loan if you’re on a pension?

It may be possible to get a personal loan if you are a pensioner. But loan options are generally fairly limited for those on the Age Pension, Carer Allowance or Disability Support Pension (DSP), as it may be harder to satisfy regular income requirements and prove that you can make the repayments in the long term.

Additionally, some lenders may have stricter lending criteria or charge higher interest if you’re on an Age Pension, Carer Allowance or DSP, meaning it could be harder to get your personal loan approved.

Your credit score may also impact the likelihood of you getting a personal loan, along with interest rates that may apply.

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What are the risks of taking out a personal loan as a pensioner?

When you borrow money, there are generally a number of risks to factor in, but if part or all of your income is made up of the Age Pension or other government support, the risks can be amplified and there may be additional factors to consider. For example:

• You may not be approved: Getting approved for a personal loan may be more difficult as a pensioner than for someone on a higher income. If your loan application is declined, this may be recorded on your credit report, potentially making it more difficult to access credit in the future.

→ Related: 7 steps for working towards improving your credit score

• Fewer, more expensive options: With potentially fewer options for pensioner loans among traditional lenders, your ability to find one offering competitive loan terms may be rather limited. For example, while so-called ‘payday lenders’ aren’t technically allowed to charge interest under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (the Credit Act), they may charge up to 20% of the loan amount as an establishment fee and 4% per month as a monthly service fee, according to the Australian Government’s Moneysmart website.

→ Related: Personal loans when you’re unemployed – what are your options?

• Could create financial stress: Some pensioner loans may require the borrower to repay the loan in a short timeframe, which could put you under financial pressure. It’s important to read the terms and conditions of any loan before signing up to it, to make sure the repayment deadlines suit your circumstances.
• Meeting the repayments: Before applying, consider whether your pension payments will be enough to cover the regular loan payments, including the interest that will accrue, so that the loan is repaid on time. For example, would you still be able to meet your repayments if unexpected expenses arose down the track? Keep in mind that if your loan is not repaid during the loan term, extra fees and costs may apply. Missing loan repayments may also impact your credit score, which can impact the loans and interest rates that you may be eligible for in future.

What loan options are available for pensioners?

There are various pensioner loan options that may be available, including bank loans, and a number of government schemes that allow pensioners to borrow money. Some of these options include:

1. Home Equity Access Scheme
2. No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS)
3. A personal loan with your current bank
4. A pension-specific personal loan from another provider

Keep in mind that terms, conditions and eligibility requirements apply to all of these options, and some of them may not be suitable for you based on your personal needs and circumstances.

1. Home Equity Access Scheme / Pension Loans Scheme

The Home Equity Access Scheme is a voluntary non-taxable loan available to senior Australians who meet Age Pension age and residency requirements and own real estate in Australia.

The payments accrue as a debt secured against the person’s nominated Australian real estate. The current interest rate is 3.95% per annum. This rate compounds each fortnight on the loan balance until you repay the loan in full. Keep in mind that the longer you take to repay the loan, the more interest will accumulate.

While you can make a repayment at any time, you don’t need to until you sell the property being used as security (you can also transfer the loan to another property), or until your death, at which time the full loan amount and interest owed would be recovered from your estate.

2. No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS)

The No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) was established by Good Shepherd and promises no interest, no fees and no charges.

It allows low-income individuals and families to borrow up to $2000 for essentials such as appliances or furniture. Or up to $3000 for housing related expenses such as bond or rent in advance, or for recovery from a natural disaster with no credit checks and a repayment time frame of up to 24 months.

To be eligible for an NILS loan as a pensioner, you must have a Health Care Card or Pension Card and must be able to show you can repay the loan amount.

3. A personal loan with your current bank

If you have a good credit history or have held an account with your current bank or credit union for a long time, applying for a personal loan with them could be an option to consider. Remember, though, that even if you have a long-standing relationship with a particular provider, it will likely still apply strict lending criteria and will assess your loan application based on a range of factors, including your credit score, your income, your assets, any other debts you have and your regular living expenses.

As a hypothetical example, if you do not have many assets, a bank may be more reluctant to approve you for a loan if the Age Pension is your only source of income. You can usually check specific lending requirements by visiting a lender’s website, or contacting it directly over the phone or in a branch.

As a pensioner, you may be considered to be a riskier borrower, so your bank may charge you a higher rate of interest on a loan than it would for other borrowers.

4. Pension-specific personal loans from another provider

Certain banks, credit unions and peer-to-peer lenders may offer loans which are tailored to accommodate people who receive a low income, and may be specific to the type of pension that you receive. For example, some lenders offer retiree loans or loans for those on the Age Pension which differ from their standard personal loans. Lenders may take into account Centrelink payments when considering your income, so people receiving a pension may be considered eligible.

→ Read more: Can you get a personal loan if you are on Centrelink?

How can pensioners apply for a loan?

Before applying for a loan, it may be a good idea to check the lender’s eligibility criteria and compare personal loan options from a number of providers, looking at factors such as the interest rate charged, whether the rate is fixed or variable, whether the loan is secured or unsecured, the fees charged and any other features and conditions, such as whether you can make extra payments to pay the loan off early without extra fees applying. Consider too, of course, if there are options available to you other than taking out a loan.

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To help you understand the requirements of any loan agreement, it may be helpful to read the loan documentation carefully, including any terms and conditions.

If you decide to apply for a personal loan, you can usually begin the application process online, over the phone or in a branch, depending on the lender. Keep in mind that you will likely have to complete paperwork and submit supporting documentation, such as identification, proof of income and disclosure of any assets, before the lender reviews your application.

Loan applications you make may show up on your credit history report, and making multiple loan applications over a short period of time could negatively impact your credit score.

What other options are available to pensioners?

Before taking out a personal loan with a traditional lender, such as a bank, credit union or other provider, there may be some alternative borrowing options available to you. These include:

• A Centrelink Cash Advance: If you receive an income support payment, such as an Age Pension or Disability Support Pension, you may be able to get part of this payment early as an alternative to traditional borrowing. You can pay it back later out of your future Pension payments.
• Using an asset to secure your loan: If you have some existing assets, such as a car, you might be able to use these assets to secure a personal loan. This could mean lower interest rates, but there is a risk that you will lose the asset if you are unable to make your repayments.
• Community focused programs: Some community financial assistance programs provide personal loans, such as NILS, to low-income earners who require financial assistance. There may be particular requirements involved, such as the loan only being able to be spent on household goods and essential items.
• Equity release: Arrangements such as a reverse mortgage or home reversion may allow you to access a lump sum of money using the equity in your home. While these arrangements can offer flexibility to pensioners who own their home and need access to cash, the Federal Government’s Moneysmart website explains that there are risks involved and long-term financial impacts. It’s important to consider the pros and cons and to seek independent financial or legal advice before you commit.

What support is available for pensioners?

Taking out a personal loan is a long-term commitment and may continue to be a financial burden until it is repaid. Before borrowing money, you might want to consider some of the following potential alternative solutions:

• Work out payment plans for bills: If you require money to cover your living expenses, you may be able to discuss setting up payment plans with individual providers, such as electricity, telephone, water and gas companies.
• Talk to your bank about support: If you are struggling financially, you may be able to approach your bank directly for advice and support. Many banks and financial institutions offer financial hardship support as part of their services, but be aware that the advice they give may not always be independent.
• Look into government benefits: There may be some government benefits or initiatives that are relevant to your financial situation. Services Australia has information for older Australians about payments and services that may be available.
• Talk to a financial counsellor or seek independent financial advice: If you want to speak to a financial counsellor, generally the first step is making contact with the National Debt Helpline (NDH) on 1800 007 007.

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