Social security measures to come into effect from 1 Jan 2011

In a statement, The Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family reminds that during the 2011 Budget speech, measures in social security were announced.  Measures include the cost of living increase, deductions in the rate of service pensions considered for the calculation of a Social Security pension rate and changes in the rates of Supplementary Allowance.

These measures are with effect from 1^st January 2011.

“The Department of Social Security is currently processing its benefits to bring into effect the mentioned measures,” the ministry said.

It announced to the public, with regard the Widows’ Pensions, the increase in pensions as a result of the cost of living is to be issued with the payment of the 31^st December 2010which covers the pension payment period from the 1^st January 2011to the 28^th January 2011.

The cost of living bonus and the increase in the pension rate due to the Service Pension measure (where applicable) will be issued with the payment of the 31^st December 2010.

The ministry also said that, with regard to Age Pensions, the increase in pensions as a result of the cost of living will be issued with the payment of the 15^th January 2011- which covers the pension payment period from the 15^th January 2011to the 11^th February 2011.                                                                                

In the case of the cost of living bonus and the increase in the pension rate due to the Service Pension measure (where applicable) will be issued with the payment of the 15^th January 2011.

Referring to the Invalidity Pensions, ministry said the increase in pensions as a result of the cost of living will be issued with the payment of the 8^th January 2011which covers the pension payment period from the 8^th January 2011to the 4^th February 2011.

In the case of the cost of living bonus and the increase in the pension rate due to the Service Pension measure (where applicable) will be issued with the payment of the 8^th January 2011.

With regards to the Retirement Pensions, the ministry also said that the increase in pensions as a result of the cost of living will be issued with the payment of the 24^th December 2010which covers the pension payment period from the 25^th December 2010to the 21^st January 2011.

In the case of the cost of living bonus and the increase in the pension rate due to the Service Pension measure (where applicable) will be issued with the payment of the 22^nd January 2011.

The ministry concluded by saying that “another measure in the Budget for 2011, which will come into effect as from the 1^st January 2011, is the increase of the maximum income for means test purposes with the cost of living for social benefits.”