Job seekers will be able to work for longer while retaining social security concessions, and changes to allow pensioners to work more before payments are reduced will become permanent, under two major welfare law reforms.

The Albanese government will spend $85.2m over four years on the two measures, which are the centrepiece of nine new policies adopted through the employment white paper, titled Working Future, released on Monday.

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The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, said the white paper provides “the roadmap for Australia to build a bigger, better-trained and more productive workforce – to boost incomes and living standards and create more opportunities for Australians to participate to their full potential”.

So what are the major new measures in Working Future?

1. Pension changes made permanent

After the jobs and skills summit in September, Labor allowed aged pensioners and veterans to earn up to $4,000 more a year before seeing a reduction in their pension, a key demand of the Coalition.

The white paper announces this change will be made permanent at a cost of $42.4m through to 2026-27. From 1 January 2024, all aged pensioners and eligible veterans will be able to earn $11,800 a year before their payments are reduced.

2. Welfare recipient concessions

Despite the Coalition calling on the Albanese government to double the amount of income job seekers can earn before their payments are reduced,...

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