Dependant wife

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32975, 22 July 1972, Page 14

Dependant wife

Sir, —Regarding the superannuation scheme, I am wondering what is the definition of a "dependant wife.” According to newspaper reports a married man of 65 may draw only $17.50 whereas a single man is entitled to $2l. This would imply that a widower drawing $2l a week who marries a woman under sixty automatically has his superannuation reduced to $17.50. Surely this is an anomaly.—Yours, etc., WONDERING. June 27, 1972. [The Minister of Finance (Mr Muldoon) replies: “The situation raised by ‘Wondering’ concerning the. reduction of superannuation benefit payable to a widower who marries a woman under 60 years is correct, as the social security legislation makes no provision for a superannuation benefit, which is payable free of an income test, to be increased to include payment 1 for a dependant wife. The legislation does, provide, however, for such an allowance to be paid in conjunction with an age benefit, and in the situation mentioned by your correspondent, the widower I may find it to his advantage to transfer to age benefit. This would depend on the amount of his income from other sources. If he cares to discuss his situation with the local office of the Department of Social Welfare his position could be clarified.”]