Call for Budget increase in pension

The retirees, who met with Enill late last month with a list of proposals for consideration in the Budget, want their pension increased to at least $1,500 per month. They currently receive $1,100.

Highlighting what she said were pressing issues affecting members, TTARP president, Mayling Younglao, also told Enill they wanted all pensions to be paid by the 15th of each month to avoid congestion at the bank with monthly and fortnightly paid employees.

She said the qualifying age to receive pension should be reduced from 65 to 60 years, and should apply to all citizens, with no income restrictions, she added. “The minimum NIS pension should be pegged no lower than old age pension and, under no circumstances should any pension be below the established poverty line.

“Government pensions should be indexed to cost of living using the index of retail prices at September 30 as a base and adjusted once every fiscal year,” Younglao proposed. The TTARP also wants VAT to be removed from all items, and services like WASA, TSTT and TTEC for owner-occupied property of persons 60 years and over.

The group also wants legislation to be put in place to establish an independent pension reform working group to review, periodically, all aspects of pensions and welfare grants. And legislation should also be enacted to ensure that, whenever pension plan surpluses are being distributed, they should be equally shared by all parties, including current pensioners.