9. GEORGINA BEYER (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
How is the Government assisting superannuitants who have a spouse in long-term residential care?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
From 1 July this year all superannuitants and veterans pensioners who live in the community and have a spouse in long-term residential care will be eligible for the higher single rate of New Zealand superannuation and veterans pension. This will mean an extra weekly income of up to $60 for as many as 2,000 superannuitants and veterans pensioners living in the community who have a spouse in long-term residential care. This is, of course, another example of a Labour-led Government delivering on its election promises and correcting the injustice and unfairness of the 1990s under a National Government.
What else is the Government doing to ensure fairer and more equitable treatment of older New Zealanders?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
From 1 July this year also, the sharing expenses rule, which currently prevents some superannuitants from receiving the living alone payment, will also be removed. Also, from 1 July a person carrying out volunteer work overseas for a recognised aid agency will be eligible for New Zealand superannuation or a veterans pension for up to 3 years. Currently the maximum payment period is 1 year. In addition to those improvements, from 1 April this year, thanks to this Government, 494,000 older New Zealanders were better off by up to $420 extra a year, thanks to increases in the rates of New Zealand superannuation and the veterans pension.
Barbara StewartDoes the Minister have any specific plans to improve the fairness of pensions for New Zealand superannuitants who also have overseas pension entitlements?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
That matter, as the member is aware, is the subject of active discussions with myself and the Minister of Finance.
Judith CollinsWhy has it taken 7 years of his Government, Mrs Barbara White’s petition, and the work of the Hon Dr Nick Smith, for his Government finally to take action to fix a situation that was clearly unfair to married couples?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
I know that most New Zealanders know how seriously to take statements by or about Dr Smith. But I do know that in 1995—and the member may not be aware of this fact—when National was in Government the then Minister for Senior Citizens, Peter Gresham, investigated exactly this policy. He even had it costed, but, typically, the National Government failed to do anything about it.