Superannuitants

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32461, 23 November 1970, Page 14

Superannuitants

Sir,—With the everincreasing cost of living and subsequent salary and wage increases to all sections of the community, I, like hundreds of other public servants come under the “forgotten” section of superannuitants who retired three to four years ago. Although, admittedly, certain superannuitants have received an adjustment, those in our category have not yet received a cent extra in our allowance since retirement to offset the steeply rising prices. Does the Government intend to ignore this section of its former employees, as the general impression of the public is that all Government superannuitants have already received adjustments to the fast - diminishing purchasing value of their retiring allowance.—Yours, etc., STILL WATTING.

October 14, 1970. [The Minister of Finance (Mr Muldoon) replies: “It appears that the correspondent is a former State employee who retired before the age of 60, and who as yet is not entitled to receive an increase to his present allowance from the Government superannuation adjustment scheme. As the great majority of superannuitants are over that age they will have received increases under the scheme. The adjustment scheme is essentially a contributory one with employees paying additional contributions towards the cost of providing benefits for the period after the 60th birthday. If it were desired to make adjustments from an earlier age the present level of contributions would need to be revised. The scheme has been extended on a modified ex gratia basis to existing superannuitants without con-

tribution by them, and it would not be reasonable to make adjustments any earlier in their case than in the case of those who will retire after paying the additional contributions under the scheme.”]