XN000022-1987-10-08 — Page 5

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1987

IMPROVED BENEFITS FOR ELDERLY

THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED A PACKAGE OF SOCIAL WELFARE BENEFITS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE ELDERLY WHO NEED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

MR

ON

THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, JOHN CHAMBERS, TODAY (THURSDAY) AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ELABORATE VARIOUS SOCIAL WELFARE AND RELATED SUBJECTS COVERED IN THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL YESTERDAY.

HE POINTED OUT THAT ONE OF THE PROPOSALS IS ΤΟ MINIMUM AGE ELIGIBLE FOR THE OLD AGB ALLOWANCE FROM 70 STAGES AND TO RAISE THE RATE OF ALLOWANCE PAID TO THOSE WHO 70.

LOWER THE TO 65 IN ARE OVER

DISABILITY AFTER BY

"SECONDLY, WE PROPOSE THAT A HIGHER RATE OF ALLOWANCE SHOULD BE PAID TO PEOPLE WHO NEED TO BE LOOKED SOMEONE ELSE ON A FULL-TIME BASIS. THERE ARE ALSO A NUMBER MODEST IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME WHICH RECIPIENTS OF SOCIAL SECURITY GENERALLY, RATHER THAN THE ELDERLY AS SUCH, HE SAID.

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OF FAIRLY WILL HELP

IN ADDITION, IT IS PROPOSED TO INTRODUCE MEASURES TO PROTECT THE ASSETS OF PROVIDENT FUNDS FOR THE BENEFIT OF EMPLOYEES, AND ΤΟ EXTEND THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME TO COVER THOSE WHO HAVE RETIRED BECAUSE OF AGE OR ILL HEALTH. AT PRESENT, THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME ONLY COVERS WORKERS WHO ARE DISMISSED.

MR CHAMBERS REITERATED THAT THE DECISION NOT ΤΟ PROCEED WITH THE PROPOSAL TO SET UP A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND OR TO MAKE INDIVIDUAL PROVIDENT FUNDS COMPULSORY WAS MADE ON THE GROUND THAT EITHER OF THESE MEASURES COULD HAVE SERIOUS ADVERSE EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY.

"IN ANY CASE, MANY OF THOSE WHOSE NEEDS ARE GREATEST WOULD BENEFIT LEAST, BECAUSE THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO BUILD UP A SUBSTANTIAL SUM IN A PROVIDENT FUND.

"MOREOVER, A PROVIDENT FUND NEEDS A LENGTHY PERIOD IN WHICH BUILD UP TO A LEVEL WHERE BENEFITS ΤΟ INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS WORTHWHILE, HE SAID.

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HE SAID THAT NO-ONE WHO HAS ALREADY RETIRED WOULD BENEFIT, EVEN IF A FUND WAS SET UP TOMORROW, IT WOULD NOT PROVIDE MUCH HELP THOSE WHO ARE AT PRESENT OVER 45.

TO

ARE

AND

TO

"WE BELIEVE THE PROPOSED PACKAGE OF MEASURES WILL IMPROVE THE LOT OF THE ELDERLY; SOME OF THE MEASURES WILL HAVE AN IMMEDIATE EFFECT AND OTHERS WILL HELP IN THE LONGER TERM," MR CHAMBERS SAID.

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