[Jan Fisher]

Australia and the Republic of Serbia’s new social security agreement began this month, improving access to retirement benefits for eligible people who have moved between the two countries.

Under the agreement, former Australian residents living in Serbia can claim the Australian Age Pension without having to return to Australia to live, and former Serbian residents living in Australia have better access to Serbian retirement pensions.

The agreement also includes provisions to allow people to combine periods of residence in Australia with periods of insurance contributions in Serbia to satisfy the minimum requirements for an Australian or Serbian pension, meaning they can access their pension sooner.

In its first three years, the agreement is expected to result in around 1000 additional people living in Australia and Serbia being able to access the Australian Age Pension.

More information on international social security agreements is available here.

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