PN government would eliminate tax on pensions; minimum pension to be increased
Leader of the Opposition Simon Busuttil announced a slew of increases to pensions at a press conference in Qrendi yesterday morning.
The PN leader pledged that his government would remove income tax on pensions. “These people have contributed their whole lives.”
This was a measure the PN had called for at last year’s Independence Day meeting, Dr Busuttil said, and that the Labour government had included in the following Budget. However, he insisted that he would promise that this would become reality.
A PN government would increase the national minimum pension to match the minimum wage, Dr Busuttil pledged. “This would provide 18,000 pensioners with an increase from €147 per week to €169 per week, amounting to €8.5 million.”
Those who had not paid all their pension contributions would be able to settle the difference prior to reaching pensionable age within a stipulated period of time.
Dr Busuttil also said that a PN government would raise the non-contributory pension to 60% of the national average income. This means that the pension will increase to €155 per week. This measure is set to cost €4.5 million.
Dr Busuttil also pledged that he would increase the pension allowance to €500 from €300, which he said would be to the benefit of 27,800 pensioners, costing €5.5 Million.
A PN government would also provide widows and widowers with the right to receive their spouse’s full pension. Currently, they are entitled to five sixths of the pension.
Busuttil also announced his commitment to ensuring that the pensions of the police and armed forces will also be subject to the cost of living adjustment.
The PN leader went on to say that he would also address services pensions and would see pensioners over 80 earn a full service pension and a full non-contributory pension.
This would increase every five years from retirement age to 80 years of age. This measure alone will cost €22 million.
Replying to questions by the press, he said that eliminating corruption – specifically the large amount of positions of trust in the current administration – will free up funds for PN’s proposals.
He also said that he would keep positions of trust to a ‘bare minimum’.
The PN leader was also asked whether he would introduce a capping system to regulate the property market and stop rising prices, he maintained that the party believes in helping those who need it most and not intervening in private enterprise.
Dr Busuttil was pressed as to whether or not Josie Muscat’s inclusion on the PN ticket was an attempt to cash in on the far-right vote. He repeated that the Dr Muscat would follow party policy and that they were united in removing the current administration.