Pensioners’ President Throws full support behind UPP

President of the Pensioners Association Eddie Hunte is urging his members and all pensioners to support the United Progressive Party in the 2009 election in order to show their appreciation for the benefits and increases they have received in recent years.

At the association’s first meeting for 2009, Hunte said that he truly appreciates all what was done by the current administration and said that, he, while he was not advising the pensioners how to vote they should compare how things were before 2004 and how they are now.

“The elections are just about on us, people call it the silly season but I will simply call it election fever. People are getting confused but I would just like to tell my pensioners to keep the focus in mind. Look at us before, look at how we were treated, the position we were put in and see if we were appreciated at all. Then look at us after March 2004. I am not advising you how to vote but put these two things together. The UPP treated us as human beings,” he said.

Hunte also pointed out that with regards to pensioners, the UPP has fulfilled all the promises outlined in its 2004 Manifesto.

Finance Minister Dr. Errol Cort was the guest speaker at the association’s first meeting for 2009. The packed house reflected the pensioners' eagerness to hear him speak. In addition to presenting the association with a cheque for $50, 000, which has become an annual subvention, he also recounted some of the benefits that pensioners have gained since 2004, the last general election.

Some improvements include the increase of government pensions from $300 to $800 and Social Security from $150 to $350, so that retired government workes would earn at least $1050, a 50 per cent reduction of property tax, and the PDC Caribe utilities allotments.

For 2009, the government has also promised that widows of pensioners will receive two-thirds of their spouse’s pension.

The formation of the Pension Modernisation Commission also promises to see the improvement of pensioners’ lives. Issues under consideration are moving the pensionable age from 60 to 65, because as Cort said these persons still have much to contribute at that age, the inclusion of men in widows' benefit, and the calculation of the monthly pension on an index much like the price of gasoline so that in time of inflation the pensioners would not have to ask for increase and according to Cort see their incomes dwindle as prices rise.

Also, for persons who have no income after reaching pensionable age, particularly those who worked in the private sector and their employers never paid Social Security, although deduction were made, the government is looking to provide a minimum of $300 to be distributed through a needs test. He said, “We can’t hold you responsible for that”

Cort ended with, “You are in safe hands with the UPP. You have toiled, you have given yeoman service to the country and we will ensure that you will enjoy that luxury of retirement without sacrificing your standard of living.”

In their appreciation, several pensioners proposed making Cort an honourable member of the association.

Hunte said that the cheque was a timely New Year’s gift and said it will be used to refurbish the headquarters, located on Nugent Avenue and for other special projects.

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