23,000 Pension Payments to Increase from Today

Tuesday, 20 September 2011

More than 23,000 pensioners living in the Scullin electorate will from today receive an increase in their pension payment to help meet the increase in household costs.

Harry Jenkins MP, Federal Member for Scullin today said that age and disability pensioners, carers and veterans’ income support recipients will receive the fourth boost to their pensions since September 2009.

"The Government understands that pensioners on a fixed income have the least room to move in their budgets and that is why it is so important that their pension keeps pace with the cost of living," Mr Jenkins said.

From today, single pensioners will receive an extra $19.50 a fortnight and pensioner couples combined on the maximum rate will receive an extra $29.60 a fortnight.

Two years ago the Government delivered the most significant reforms to the age pension in its 100 year history. The Government’s reforms delivered pension increases, a new pension supplement, a pension Work Bonus and a new indexation system.

"Over the last two years, these pension reforms have delivered increases to the maximum pension of about $148 per fortnight for singles and $146 per fortnight for couples combined," Mr Jenkins said.

Following today’s increase, total pension payments for people on the maximum rate, including the base rate and pension supplement will be:

- $748.80 a fortnight for singles, and

- $1,129.00 a fortnight for couples combined

Further details on new rates can be found at: http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/about/news/2011/Pages/pensions_payments_allowances_20sept11.aspx

/ends 20 September 2011

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