Dear Editor,

There is some confusion in the minds of this doddering old age pensioner in relation to the generous increase of five percent on the Old Age Pension.

Could Minister Priya Manickchand indicate to the beneficiaries if the increase is retroactive to January 1, 2006? If so, when will the difference of $2,100 which represents the arrears for 2006 be paid?

If not, when will she enlighten us as to why we are being treated differently to Government workers and pensioner whose increases are from January 1, 2006.

If the 5% increase is from January 1, 2007 are we then to understand that we Old Age Pensioners will not be included in the package being considered for Public Servants and others in 2007. If the latter is the case then might I suggest that in future New Year’s messages to the nation concern for the plight of the elderly be left out. The action does not match the rhetoric.

Yours faithfully,

C. Rogers

Old Age Pensioner

Editor’s note

We are sending a copy of this letter to Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand for any comments she may wish to make.