Fiji, 28 June 2014
The government of Fiji has allocated FJ$3.2 million for an increase in the social pension this year for the new scheme. In Fiji, the recipients of the social pension are 70 years and older, who do not have any form of income or pension or who have never been part of a superannuation scheme. They currently receive FJ$30 (US$16) a month. With a budgetary allocation of FJ$3.2 million for this year, the new Social Pension Scheme will take effect in 2015.
“So from next year, those who qualify for the social pension will receive $50 (US$27) a month and currently there are more than 9000 beneficiaries and we expect this number to increase next year”, said Dr Jiko Luveni, Social Welfare Minister
The increase of monthly pension was based on the requests of senior citizens and it would cover from 4 per cent to now 12 to 14 per cent of the population benefiting from government’s social welfare programs.
Even it is tiny in comparison to national minimum wage – at least FJ$90 a week, we can see the development from this decision.
Source:
Media Statement from the Ministry of Women, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation, The Fiji Government
Avinesh Gopal, “Cabinet approves pension increase for elderly”, Fiji Times, 29 June 2014.
