Inflation has already outstripped last age pension rise

New inflation figures showed the pension is again playing catch up with the soaring cost of living, says National Seniors Australia, as the figure of 6.1 per cent (the highest since 2001) has already outstripped the last increase to the pension of just $20.10 per fortnight back in March.

Pensioners will have to wait months for any respite, says Chief Advocate, Ian Henschke.

"The next increase is not until September and by then inflation will have leapt ahead of the pension and they will be left even further behind."

"It's like the hare and the tortoise, no sooner do we try to get ahead of the cost of living and any increase has already been gobbled up by soaring inflation."

"Clearly adjusting the pension twice a year when we have runaway inflation is not fair," said Mr Henschke.

He also says the 'Let Pensioners Work' campaign should be adopted by the government at this time of high cost of living and record job vacancies.

"Our research shows that almost 20 per cent of pensioners say they would consider a return to work and their prime reason is because they need the money.