Government makes changes to pensions bill

Labor has accused the government of sneaking through changes to controversial age pensions legislation.

The government moved amendments just hours before a bill - containing $2.4 billion in savings by imposing a tighter assets test on thousands of wealthy retirees - was expected to pass the lower house on Thursday.

Leader of opposition business Tony Burke said the 11th hour changes "gutted" the bill and no longer contained some measures negotiated with the Greens to secure Senate support and passage through parliament.