Age benefit

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32977, 25 July 1972, Page 12

Age benefit

Sir, —The $4 reduced to $2 is unfair to those who, for health reasons, cannot earn $lO during the current period if they happened to earn the $l3 last period. Presuming, of course, that the rise of $4 is based on the last period. —Yours, etc., A.P.F. July 24, 1972.

Sir, —“A. B. Cedarian” was right when he described the social welfare changes (particularly the reduction in allowable earnings) of the Indian giver, Mr Muldoon, as a “dog’s breakfast.” Universal superannuitants who thought they had earned a minimal level of existence by right must now pay income tax on their pittance or apply for the age benefit, called “charity” or “the dole” by many old people, who consider the means test to be an insulting infringement of their welldeserved privacy. I believe the Government has, very quietly, already reversed the iniquitous new formula which would have impoverished most of those now on supplementary assistance. Mr Muldoon should admit all his mistakes and immediately restore universal superannuation to parity with the age benefit. — Yours, etc., “JIM ABELSON.” July 24, 1972.

Sir, —Superannuation beneficiaries have been told, by means of large State advertisements during the last few days, that many of them “may find it worth while to switch to age benefits.” This is because of the removal of certain rebates, and the tax on superannuation benefits. Vital words have been omitted. This carried with it the hated means test. Why not say so? And the veterans’ allowance for former soldiers of 65, or even 75, years of age, is still subjected to the means test. It is only the comparatively small “supplementary” allowance that is not subjected to this test. Again clarity is lacking. — Yours etc., CITIZEN. July 22, 1972.