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Finding the best bank account can save you hundreds on fees and connect you with the very latest in smart banking technology. Compare bank accounts from a wide variety of providers with Savvy to find the very best offers available on the market right now.
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Use invite code SAVVY10 for $10 upon successful sign-up. (Refer to offer T&Cs on Up website)More details |
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ING Orange Everyday |
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Rebates on ATM fees anywhere in Oz. No ING international transaction fees. Zero monthly fees.More details |
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No monthly account fees ever, with no conditions. Free use at over 7,000 ATMs around Australia. No overdrawn fees if you happen to go over your account balance. Open an account in less than 7 minutes.More details |
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Get $40 with a new Complete Freedom everyday bank account.More details |
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Westpac Choice |
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Westpac Choice for easy day-to-day bankingMore details |
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Disclaimer: Savvy is not advising or recommending any particular product to you. We provide general information on products for the purposes of comparison, but your personal situation or goals are not considered here. Although we try to make our comparisons as thorough as possible, we do not have information on all products on the market on our site.
You should always consult a given offer's PDS or further documentation in the process of deciding on which loan to choose, as well as seeking independent, professional advice. If you decide to apply with one of the lenders listed above via our website, you will not be dealing with Savvy; any applications or enquiries will be conducted directly with the lender offering that product.
Pensioner accounts are designed to meet the needs of older Australians, with both everyday transaction accounts and a variety of savings accounts on offer for those in the later stages of life. Take a look at pensioner accounts with Savvy to find out what they have to offer and how to find the best accounts on the market. We compare financial products to help you choose the right ones for you and your family’s needs.
Pensioner bank accounts in Australia are generally available to people over the age of 55 years of age who classify themselves as retired, receive a government pension or hold a concession card. Banks generally offer aged pensioners and other concession card holders fee-free basic everyday accounts, just as they do for children and students.
These basic transaction accounts usually come with a debit card to allow the account holder to shop, make online purchases and arrange payments of bills. In this sense, they’re no different from any other basic transaction account open to people of all ages.
However, many such everyday accounts are linked to savings accounts. It’s in this area where there are multiple options for pensioners to choose from when deciding where to park their savings. Savings accounts offer a variety of features, depending on the amount to be deposited and the length of time that money is to be invested. This is why it’s important to compare pensioner accounts before deciding which one’s right for you.
The best savings account will be one that offers the highest interest rate, the lowest fees and terms and conditions that aren’t restrictive and fit in with your lifestyle needs. Savvy can help you find the best bank account by providing simple, easy-to-understand comparison information, including the following:
Fees
Look for savings accounts which have no monthly fees and no annual package fee. There should also be no withdrawal fees if you decide to transfer money from your savings account to your transaction account. Compare charges to make sure you find an account which offers the cheapest solution to your banking needs.
Interest-earning savings accounts
Many pensioner savings accounts offer tiered interest, which means the interest rate changes and increases the more you have in your savings account. For example, for amounts up to $10,000, the interest rate may be 0.5% p.a., for balances between $10,000 and $100,000, the interest rate may be 0.8% p.a. and for accounts with over $100,000, the interest rate could be 1% p.a. Some savings accounts specify that a minimum amount must be deposited each month to qualify for a ‘bonus’ additional interest rate, so watch out for any conditions which may apply when comparing accounts.
‘Locked’ savings accounts
These offer a slightly higher interest rate on the condition that no withdrawals are made on the account that month. They effectively lock your savings away in return for earning more interest. These accounts can offer a good incentive to keep your savings in place but beware of restrictive conditions that specify if withdrawals are made that no interest is earned on your savings for the month.
Term deposits
These are cash deposits which a saver agrees to leave with their bank for a specified period, which is known as the ‘term’ of the deposit. The longer the deposit term, the higher the interest rate offered. Pensioners can decide to park their savings in a term deposit ranging from just one month up to several years (typically a maximum of five). During this period, the money is locked away and no withdrawals are permitted at all. In a low-interest environment, term deposits may offer the highest interest rates available.
Accessibility
It’s important to consider how accessible the account is for you. Is it linked to a debit card or even able to be added to your digital wallet on your smartphone? If you’re an individual who prefers to carry cash around, how many ATMs are available for you to use fee-free, and will you be charged fees for withdrawing from machines operated by other institutions?
The interest earned on your savings is considered to be income and is therefore taxed like regular income by the government. However, to simplify income tax calculations for aged pensioners, there’s a set of rules which assume how much interest is earned on assets, regardless of the actual interest paid. There’s one set of interest calculations which apply to all Australians over retirement age, which is known as ‘deeming.’ The deeming rates offered to eligible customers as of March 2022 are as follows:
For single people
The first $53,600 of your funds have a deemed interest rate of 0.25% applied. Anything over $53,600 is deemed to earn 2.25%.
If you’re a couple and either one or both of you gets a pension
Initially, $89,000 of your combined funds has a 0.25% deemed interest rate. Any savings over $89,000 is deemed to earn 2.25%.
If you’re a couple and neither of you receives a pension
The first $44,500 of a couple’s assets have a deemed income of 0.25%. Assets above $44,500 are deemed to earn 2.25% interest.
Our comparison service is free to use, meaning you can compare bank account offers at any time.
You can compare accounts and choose to open one online from wherever you are, at home or on the go.
By partnering with trusted Australian institutions, you can be more confident when comparing offers with us.
Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd (ABN 78 660 493 194) trades as Savvy and operates as an Authorised Credit Representative 541339 of Australian Credit Licence 414426 (AFAS Group Pty Ltd, ABN 12 134 138 686). We are one of Australia’s leading financial comparison sites and have been helping Australians make savvy decisions when it comes to their money for over a decade.
We’re partnered with lenders, insurers and other financial institutions who compensate us for business initiated through our website. We earn a commission each time a customer chooses or buys a product advertised on our site, which you can find out more about here, as well as in our credit guide for asset finance. It’s also crucial to read the terms and conditions, Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or credit guide of our partners before signing up for your chosen product. However, the compensation we receive doesn’t impact the content written and published on our website, as our writing team exercises full editorial independence.
For more information about us and how we conduct our business, you can read our privacy policy and terms of use.
© Copyright 2024 Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd T/as Savvy. All Rights Reserved.
© Copyright 2024 Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd T/as Savvy. All Rights Reserved.
Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd (ABN 78 660 493 194) trades as Savvy and operates as an Authorised Credit Representative 541339 of Australian Credit Licence 414426 (AFAS Group Pty Ltd, ABN 12 134 138 686). We are one of Australia’s leading financial comparison sites and have been helping Australians make savvy decisions when it comes to their money for over a decade.
We’re partnered with lenders, insurers and other financial institutions who compensate us for business initiated through our website. We earn a commission each time a customer chooses or buys a product advertised on our site, which you can find out more about here, as well as in our credit guide for asset finance. It’s also crucial to read the terms and conditions, Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or credit guide of our partners before signing up for your chosen product. However, the compensation we receive doesn’t impact the content written and published on our website, as our writing team exercises full editorial independence.
For more information about us and how we conduct our business, you can read our privacy policy and terms of use.
