New benefit, super. rates

Press, 23 March 1988, Page 8

New benefit, super. rates

Increased rates of national superannuation to apply from [ April 1 were announced yesterday by the Minister of Social Welfare, Dr Cullen. !The i new rate for a married couple is $260.36 a! week after tax, an increase; of $9.02. Each partner I will receive $130.18 a week.' The nejw rate for a single person is] $156.18 a week after tax, an increase of $5.40.! j [ The adjustment is based on the November, 1987, wage survey i produced from the [Labour Department’s quarterly employment survey which shows the net average wage in the previous six months rising 3.59] perl cent. All ; national superannuitants] will [receive the first payment at the new rates on April! 12. [ i Social welfare benefits will increase based on the irise of 3.68 per cent in the consumers’ price index for the six (months to December- 1987. [ From I April 1, a married clouple with children will havq their benefit increased [ $8.28 to a hew [ after-tax rate of $232.88 a (veek, while solo parents will receive a further i $7.42, taking their i benefit to [5208.94 a week. In addition, $36 a week I Family Support is payable I, for the child and $l6 for each additional child.' ! Married' couples (without children [(except | unemployment | beneficiaries) will receive (an increase of $8.96 a week, bringing their] net rate to $252.46. Single persons without dependants (except unemployment beneficiaries) [receiving the' adult rate of [benefit, will; receive an increase j of $5.38 to [ $151(48 after! tax. For married unemployment beqeftaiaries without ' childrep, the new after-tax rate is $2OllBO a Ii

weekl! an increase of $7,161) 'J !-'; j [ !!"' : j!'! Single unemployment beneficiaries get an increas£ of $4.76 to $134.02 a week, i , ! [ The net ( rate of unemployment tienefit for those under 20: is| increased $3.86t to $108.63! a week and fbr those under 18 on sickness or invalid’s benefits Lit rises. $4.35 to $122 57. [ 1 . j •: > Thle seven recipients of the aimers’ wido[w’s benefit! will receive; the full widow’s benefit of $l5l 48, and the hospital rate of benefit [for longterm patients is increased frorr $l9 to |s2li a week. As from [April 1, in-coms-tested [war pension rates will increase $8.96 a week! for married couples without children!, bridging the after-tax ] rate , to $252.46 and[ up $5.38 a week) for a single person, bringing that rate to $151.48. Married couples with children will receive an after tax rate of $232.88 a week, a rise of $8.28, and solo parents will receive a further $7.42 a week, taking (hat rate to $208.94. Noti-income tested pensions have also been lucres sed, based on the [9.59 ! per cent in [ the consumers’ price index in the 12 months to December, 1987. ! i Tp!e new rate for a person with a 100'i per cent] disablement perision Will be $11(1.28, an increase. of SjlQ a week, while the maximum additional pension I for severe disablement rises $17.60 a week to $201.13 for a persbn over 60 [and, $l6 to $182185 for! [a person under 60. ' ; Tile war widow’s pension! is increased $7.38 to a week and the war orphan's [pension is increased $2.45 to $75.75 a week. I'M IH i' ]