PENSIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1924, Page 2

PENSIONS

INCREASES IN OPERATION. WELLINGTON. November 27. , Fever. 1 1 improvements to tbe New Zealand pensions scheme have commenced to operate, pensioners having received tbe monetary benefit with recent payments. The large (lass of old ago pensioner without income or property has secured an additional 2s fid weekly, about 70(10 persons being in Ibis category, their monthly pension being increased to £3 15 s 10d. Property deductions have been eased, enabling full pension to be paid where the home is up to £520 in value. The former income limit of £39 i.s raised to £.y_>. which tbe pensioner can earn before deductions to pension operate. Widow’s pension also is inovea.sed Intis fid weekly, giving 10s to widow and a similar amount to children under fourteen. This extension costs £BO.OUO annually, while Id rgn

pension changes mean l'fi’UlOO additional expenditure. Provisions regarding a widow’s earnings have- keen liberalised so that the earned income of n widow with one child may bo £2 10s without deduction of pension. Endeavours are being made to expedite the printing of application forms for pensions for blind persons as these are now |sipable at tbe rate of los weekly. Tbe conditions are similar to those for old ago pension, excepting age •Which in tile case of blind persons is twenty. Applications are to be made to registrars of pensions in the various districts and when unproved by the Commissioner, pensions will be payable as from tin* first of the month in which tbe application was made. It is pos«ible to secure a pension without waiting for official forms though fin* latler will help applicants to give the lie: essarv information.

A provbinn unique in pension law is associated with this development of Now Zealand’s pension .system. The earnings of . a blind pensioner will he subsidised to the extent- of 2 r, per cent ii]i to a point which "ill make the income. including pension. £2 10s weekly. Tt is also possible, ir a pensioner wishes to he trained in an institution for the blind outside Xow Zealand, siicli as St. Huust.Mi’s. to draw pension while out or the Dominion. One application of this character has already been approved.