PUBLIC PENSIONS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1762, 29 May 1913, Page 6

PUBLIC PENSIONS.

FIGURES FOR A YEAR.

HIGH MILITARY PAYMENTS,

A statement regarding tho outlay by tliii Government on pensions during the year 1912-13, as compared with the previous year, was made to a Dominion" reporter last evening by the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher.

"So far as old age pensions aro concerned," said Mr. Fisher, "tho gross payments for 1912-13 were .£415,700, as against .£'■108,2.50 in tho previous year. The net payments for 1912-13, after deduction of refunds and with tho credit from Endowment Fund, totalled <£397,009, as against ■£380,903 in 1911-12. The number of claims lodged last year was 2110, as against 2975 in the previous year, and the number of pensions granted was 20G6, as against 2318 in 1911-12. Pensioners who died in the vcar just ended numbered 1557, as against 14G9 in the previous year, and there were 635 cancellations in 1912-13 as compared with 220 in 1911-12. Tensions in force on March 31, 1913, numbered 16,523, as against 10,0)9 a year previously. The averago pension payable last year was .£25, and the approximate annual liability on 16,523 pensions is estimated at .£413,000,

"Tho decrease in old ago pensions this year," said tho Minister, "which is the iirst since 1905, is due to tho fact that 385 old age pensions have been cancelled by being converted into military pensions.

"Gross payments under tho heading of widows' pensions totalled ,£22,114, as against JCI9G3 in 1911-12. The number of claims lodged last year was GGO, as compared with 1197 in 1911-12. Pensions granted in 1912-13 numbered 057, as against 791 in 1911-12. There were three cancellations in 1911-12, and 124 ill 1912-13. There were 788 pensions in force on March 31, 1912, and 1318 on March 31, 1913. The averago pension paid last year was .£l9, and the annual liability on 1318 pensioners was estimated at approximately ,£25,000.

"As to military pensions, under the Act of last session, 955 inquiries were sent in; 791 completed claims were lodged, and 585 pensions were granted. Rejected claims nuriiberod 97, claims adjourned pending production of the New Zealand war medal numbered 82, and four claims were withdrawn owing to the death of the applicants or for other reasons. Twentythree claims await investigation. Payments to March 31, 1913 (three months) totalled .£3OBI lis. Bd. The number of pensions in force on March 31 last was 576, and the averago pension payable was .£33. The annual liability on 57G pensions was estimated on March 31 last at .£19,000. The payment of the average pension (.£33) to those applicants whose claims have been rejected or adjourned, numbering 179, would bring tho annual liability up to .£25,000, which it was estimated last year the pension scheme would cost. Already," the Minister remarked, in conclusion, "tho prospective liability for tho current year exceeds X 20.000, additional pensions having been granted figures for last year were compiled.