War Pensions

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30206, 10 August 1963, Page 3

War Pensions

Sir,—Since the 1914-18 war I have been receiving a war disability pension. At present my wife and I are receiving also the war veteran’s allowance. About three months ago, I underwent a medical examination, conducted by the pensions office. As a result, my disablement was rated from the original 25 per cent, to 50 per cent. I was given an extra £65 a year At the same time the Pensions De partment subtracted £6l from the war veteran's allowance held by my wife and myself This simple b.t of arithmetic means that my wife and I are only £4 belter off for the year. The Pensions Department at Wellington considered my increase in the disability pension; in addition to £9 interest I received, it constituted income which must be deducted from my age benefit of £7B. According to the Pensions Act, we cannot blame the Pensions Department. Would anyone say there was nothing wrong.’ —Yours, etc., 14/18. August 1. 1963

(The Distinct Registrar of War Pensions (Mr E. B. Pyne) said: "The basic rate of war * veterans allowance for a mar- > ried veteran and his wife is ! £468 a year (new rate from* July 17, 1963), subject to de- ■ duction for income in ex- J cess of £156. but a war dis- • ablement pension is not taken f into account. In addition, a; veteran and his wife who) have attained the age 65 are J entitled to an age supplement » i of up to £39 a year each, but J this is reduced by income, in- > eluding a disablement pension, in excess of £7B As r the correspondent now re- * ;Ceives a war pension of £136 • 110 s a year (new rate) and J £9 interest, his age supple- > ment will be payable at a re- f duced rate.”J