SOCIAL INSURANCE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 6 May 1925, Page 9

SOCIAL INSURANCE.

BRITAIN’S SCHEME

WIDOWS AND OLD AGE. PR OPOSALS OUTLI NED. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT (Received Mav G, 12.10 p.m.) LONDON, May 5. The pensions schemes which were outlined by the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr Winston Churchill) .in liis Budget speech were dealt with in detail in the Widows’ and Orphans’ and Old Age Contributory Pensions Bill, published to-day, which, was accompanied by an explanatory memorandum and the 'Government Actuary’s report. The new scheme contemplates old age pensions at 65 instead of 70, which pass' on the attainment of the age of 70, into pensions under the Old Age Pensions Act, freed from restrictions and disqualifications at present applying thereto. Beneficiaries are survivors of workers and persons ceasing to be compulsorily insurable on leaving their employment, or already ceased to be insured before the inception of the new scheme. They will he given the option to continue or resume their insurance as voluntary contributors at the full rate of the contribution ordinarily payable hv the employer and the employee jointly. Thus everyone who at* some time was insurably employed for a minimum period of two years will be enabled to take advantage of the scheme. Those who voluntarily contribute, as well as employees, must he insured for health insurance and pensions. Certain, classes of persons who are exempted from liability to bo insured under the health insurance scheme are now required to he insured for widows’, orphans’ and old age pensions, if the terms of their employment do not provide for these benefits. Special provisions are made for widows and children of those insured who. died before the inception of the scheme.- There are provisions which safeguard the scheme against abuse, and these include clauses whereby wives and widows of men marrying after the age of 60 are only entitled to a pension when or if married for four years, unless in the case of widows where there are children of the marriage. Provision is made for the payment of children’s or widows’ pensions to third parties for the beneficiaries’ account if .the circumstances justify. A widow’s pensions may be cancelled or suspended if the court reports any conviction. A widow is disqualified for a pension if she is cohabiting with i a man. The Government Actuary estimates that the capital value of the liability assumed by the Exchequer under the scheme for compulsory insurance is £566,000,000, for voluntary contributors £12.000,000. for widowed mothers and children £42.000.000, extended rights to old age pensions at 70 Years £196.000.000. Tim scheme provides that those insured must continuously reside in Britain for at least two years immediately prior to death or the date of attaining the age of 65, and their last employment, excluding temporary employment, must have been in Britain, —Reuter.