Pensioners welcome solar feed-in-tariff income test changes

“The Australian Government’s decision to exempt solar feed-in-tariff credits from the income test puts pensioners’ minds at ease,” said CPSA Policy Coordinator, Charmaine Crowe.

“Pensioners participating in solar feed-in-tariff schemes were very concerned about possibly losing some of their pension as a result of being credited for electricity they’ve produced from installing solar panels and feeding electricity back into the grid.”

“Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin has today announced that credits received under the feed-in-tariff schemes will not be treated as income under the pension income test.”

“This is good news for pensioners, who have generally outlaid thousands of dollars to install solar panels because of escalating electricity prices and a commitment to doing the right thing for the environment.”

Media contact: 0410 612 182

Charmaine Crowe
Policy Coordinator
Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association (CPSA)
Level 9, 28 Foveaux Street Surry Hills NSW, 2010
Phone (02) 9281 3588
Mob 0410 612 182
Fax (02) 9281 9716