SUPERANNUATION

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26514, 31 August 1951, Page 5

SUPERANNUATION

Sir, —The planners of universal superannuation intended this: that a man should contribute during a full working life to the social security fund to secure the full annuity, just as any insurance company would stipulate. After 40 years from the inception of the scheme every last person can receive the annuity and know that he has paid for it in full. It will not be a charitable hand-out from the State, subject to the humiliation and limitations of the age benefit. This is what Mr Holland does not grasp or does not wish to grasp. He wishes to use universal superannuation as a bait for votes. The abolition of social security tax on ordinary superannuation and the cost-of-living bonus of £26 planned by the Labour Party is better. To retain universal superannuation as it is, is more long-sighted. —Yours, etc.. A. F. PALMER. Waimate, August 23, 1951.

“Superannuitant” writes: “National Party advertisements and your editorial of August 24 state definitely that universal superannuation will be doubled immediately, i.e„ from September 1; next payment is due at the end of September. Now we have Mr Holland’s own announcement that he ‘hoped it would be at the end of the vear.’ One of your correspondents on the subject thinks it might be ‘this year, next year, sometime, never.’ What are we to believe?”

“Superannuitant”: Mr Nash says he will take off the Is 6d in the £ for superannuitants up to £4OO. That will be the day. We remember well putting this up to the Labour Party before it became the government. The party said ‘Put us in. and we will remove it straight away; it is unjust and unfair.’ We put them in, and we battled for it for 14 years, and they side-stepped it every time.” “Sixty-nine” writes: “Had Mr Nash done, during his 14 years of office, what he now promises to do for the low-paid superannuitants, what a difference would have been made in the lives of many struggling people! Thanks to the present Government, it is now possible to have the meagre superannuation augmented from the social security fund; and what a Godsend will be the double universal superannuation.” “Justice for All” writes: “I have just received the last election folder from Mr Nash and his party saying what they are going to do for everyone; but he has left out the thrifty on low incomes who have to pay social security tax, which brings them down below the social security benefit. Mr Holland is going to double the national superannuation-this year to help those on the lower income group, so our votes go to Mr Holland."