'Single' pensioners get pay rise - The Dominion Post June 28 page A2
The Dominion Post June 28 page A2'Single' pensioners get pay rise
PARLIAMENT has passed legislation allowing pensioners who have a spouse in long-term care to receive superannuation at the single rate.
Until now, the only way to qualify for the higher single rate was to get divorced.
The new law will mean an extra weekly income of up to $60 for about 2000 people, and comes into effect at the beginning of next month.
The problem was highlighted early last year by National Nil' Nick Smith, who lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on behalf of 91-year-old Nelson man Stan Page.
Mr Page could not receive the single, or living alone, rate while his disabled 88-year-old wife was in a rest home.
The New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Amendment Bill passed its third reading in Parliament yesterday without dissent.
Veterans' pensions have been changed in the same way. - NZPA