More Govt pensioners express happiness over increment
More civil service pensioners are happy with the increase of 15 per cent increment for them to sustain their future.
The increase in pension was announced by the Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum during the 20172018 Budget announcement last month.
At the Fiji Pension Association annual general meeting yesterday, Kelera Tukituku said the increment showed Government’s commitment to the people.
The 85-year-old of Kadavu was among those who attended the meeting at the Fiji Football Association hall in Suva.
She is a retired high school teacher who served many years teaching at Adi Cakobau School in Sawani, Naitasiri.
“It will help all of us pensioners to cater for our livelihood and our children in the future too,” Ms Tukituku said.
“Most of us are relying on the pension from which we cater for our groceries, bills, leases or rents and other expenses.” Tepora Cevalala Waitawa, 62, of Matuku in Lau who receives her husband’s pension thanked the Lord for his blessing on her and her family.
Ms Waitawa’s husband, the late Lepani Waitawa who worked at the Government Pharmacy passed away in 2010 and since then she had been receiving her husband’s pension to cater for her family.
“I receive $198 per fortnight of my husband’s pension and an increase on it will help me to cater for my family without any worry,” she said.
“I am retired and I have a lot of expenses at home to cater for because I live with my son who is partially paralysed and grandson in Suva. “I am very happy about the increase because I know the Government of the day is there to look after me and my family,” Ms Waitawa said.
Meanwhile, Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa reiterated the eligibility age for pension had now been reduced to 65 years of age. This is compared to 70 years of age when it was initiated in 2013. She said the Government’s Social Pension Scheme had an increased funding from $14 million to $37.2 million.
Ms Vuniwaqa said the Fijian Government through its National Ageing Policy of 2011 provided the official framework to specifically improve the living conditions, health, welfare and general quality of life of older people.