Qld pensioners 'struggle to pay rent'

Age pensioners in Queensland who try to tough it out in the private rental market are more at risk of poverty than other seniors, new research suggests.

The Queensland Council of Social Service's third Cost of Living Report, released on Thursday, shows renting privately is still the single biggest financial burden for age pensioners, despite rental costs easing in Brisbane.

Age pensioner couples earn $40 a week less on average than what is needed to afford a basic standard of living, the report suggests.

"Couples represented by our example household of two pensioners renting privately are being forced to make tough decisions every day as to whether to pay their electricity bill, buy medication or put decent food on the table," council chief executive Mark Henley said.

With the number of Queenslanders aged 65 to 84 expected to more than double by 2050, Mr Henley said people relying on age pensions would also increase, putting additional pressure on social services.