SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS

Chronicle (Levin), 9 November 1946, Page 2

SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS

ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT In answer to a correspondent, at the a^e of 05 both men and women can obtain universal superannuation, which amounts to £25, beginning on April 1. The amouiit of benefit payable is in no way affected by income received on property owned by the beneficiary. Ailowance is made for temporary absencr irom New Zealand. The payment mcreases by £2 10s each year til1 1978, when a benefit of £104 a year (£2 ner week) is reached. The bpnefit is oayable at the end of the months of March, June, September and Decem'ber. No Derson can receive both the universal superannuation and the age benefit. At 60 years of age both men and women can obtain the age benefit the basic rate being £2 per week. Persons of the required age and residential qualifications, if their other income or capital is not sucbas to effect the amount of afe benefit, can receive the following: A- single person (unmarried), widow widower, or one legally separated, £2 each week. The income exemption is £1 weekly for a single person and £1 a week jointly if both husband and wife are in receipt of the benefit. If the wife only is eligible, the income exemption is £3 weekly. The effect of this is that a single person has a total income of £3 weekly, and a married couple have an income of £5 weekly made up of benefit and other income. A married couple can have between them property or capital amounting to £1000 before any deduction is made. Persons totally blind, or who are permanently incapacitated for work, are entitled to the invalid's benefit. They must be 16 years of a^e. A family benefit of 10s a week for each child is also pa-able.