- 2.1% adjustment for PSS, CSS, and MSBS indexed pensions
- 2.1% adjustment on the indexed portion of DFRDB and DFRB pensions for recipients aged less than 55
- At least 2.1% adjustment on the indexed portions of DFRDB and DFRB pensions for recipients aged 55 and over
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for the September 2025 quarter showing that the index has increased to 143.6 from 140.7 for the March 2025 quarter.
This should result in an increase of 2.1% for indexed pensions from the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme (CSS), Public Sector Superannuation Scheme (PSS) and Military Superannuation and Benefits Scheme (MSBS or MilitarySuper) from the first pension payday in January 2026.
The indexed portion of pensions from the Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits (DFRDB) and the Defence Force Retirement Benefits (DFRB) schemes involves different rates of indexation depending on the recipient’s age at the adjustment date.
DFRDB and DFRB recipients aged less than 55 years receive the CPI-linked adjustments (i.e. 2.1% in this case) on the indexed portions of their pensions.
The indexed portions of DFRDB and DFRB pensions for recipients aged over 55 years of age (except Associate Pension recipients) is the greater of the CPI increase, the change in the Living Cost Index (LCI) for pensioner and beneficiary households, or the increase needed to maintain the value of an indicative pension with 27.7% of Male Total Average Weekly Earnings (MTAWE). DFRDB and DFRB recipients aged 55 and over will therefore receive an increase of at least 2.1% on the indexed portion of their pensions in January 2026.
See also: DFRDB pension increases
A pro rata increase will apply to any indexed pensions started less than six months before the increase date.
Historical CSS, PSS and MSBS indexed pension increases
| Date of increase | Rate |
| January 2026 | 2.1% |
| July 2025 | 1.2% |
| January 2025 | 1.2% |
| July 2024 | 1.6% |
| January 2024 | 2.0% |
| July 2023 | 3.3% |
| January 2023 | 3.6% |
| July 2022 | 3.5% |
| January 2022 | 1.5% |
| July 2021 | 1.1% |
| January 2021 | 0.0% |
| July 2020 | 1.0% |
| January 2020 | 1.1% |
| July 2019 | 0.5% |
| January 2019 | 0.8% |
| July 2018 | 1.1% |
| January 2018 | 0.8% |
| July 2017 | 1.0% |
| January 2017 | 1.1% |
| July 2016 | 0.2% |
| January 2016 | 1.1% |
| July 2015 | 0.4% |
| January 2015 | 0.9% |
| July 2014 | 1.3% |
| January 2014 | 1.6% |
| July 2013 | 0.6% |
| January 2013 | 1.9% |