Bossano Promises to Ease the Plight of Pensioners

A GSLP/Liberal Government would take immediate steps to correct the discrimination against local pensioners that formed part of the Cordoba agreement negotiated last year by Chief Minister Peter Caruana, the Alliance points out in its manifesto for tomorrow's election. It would also entirely restructure the Social Insurance Fund.

"We will set up a new fund for our own pensioners who will be given the same option as Spanish pensioners have had, on similar terms and with similar so-called inducement payments," the manifesto promises in a section dealing with its plans for pensioners and the disabled.

COMPENSATION PAYMENTS

"The compensation payments already made to Spanish pensioners reflect the level of pension of each individual at 1988 rates and the number of years the person has received this frozen rate," says the GSLP leader Joe Bossano. If the same criteria were applied to Gibraltar pensioners who exercised the option, they would receive substantial amounts "payable as full retrospection,  based on the age of the pensioner and on the full rates of weekly frozen pensions payable up to 31st March 2007 of  £47.80 for a single pensioner and £71.70 for a married couple, i.e. the 1988 rates".

Those eligible would be local pensioners who have had a frozen old age or widow's pension between 1 January, 1989, and 31 March, 2007.  The offer would also apply to relatives who inherited the estate of any pensioner who had died since 1 January, 2007.

"The offer will be linked to the monthly pension being paid out of the new fund as has happened with the Spanish pensioners," the manifesto says.  "As in  their case, our pensioners will be given a choice.  It will be the first priority of your new Government to set up this scheme to ensure that those who take up the offer will receive their money before the end of the year."

It also undertakes that pensioners who have an incomplete social insurance record will be given the opportunity to complete their record and so receive a full pension.

The Alliance also undertakes to set up a scheme "which facilitate the creation of a new additional financial support measures for pensioners and which will be linked to average earnings".  Its effect would be to ensure that the standard of living of pensioners "keeps up with the growth in the economy and shares in its benefits".  It would not just be kept in line with inflation.

"A GSLP/Liberal Government will reform the entire structure of the Social Insurance Fund which is now insolvent," this section of the manifesto continues.  "We will place the Fund on a viable footing.  EU Law now requires equal pensionable age for men and women in all new schemes.  In government we will pay pensions to men and women at age 60."

In the restructuring,  the issue raised by divorced women in relation to their pensions will be addressed and rectified, the manifesto promises.

Looking at the funding of community care, the Alliance points out that the reserves of Community Care have dropped from over £60m ten years ago to an estimated less than £30m now.  "With the present level of payments we estimate that these sums will be exhausted before the next general election.  We undertake to refinance Community Care to enable Household Cost Allowance and other Community Care benefits to continue indefinitely.

The Widows & Orphan scheme would be re-activated on a voluntary basis.

UNLIMITED FREE TRAVEL

In the sphere of public transport arrangements would be put in place to ensure unlimited free travel on Gibraltar's  buses for senior citizens from the age of 60.

Still with the theme of the elderly, the GSLP/Liberal Alliance promises: "We will provide flats for sheltered living by elderly citizens in our housing estates.  We will develop a purpose built facility for elderly citizens who require constant geriatric care.  In the first instance, we will house such a facility at the building of the Old St Bernard's Hospital.

"The lack of resources for people with disabilities will be addressed to put right the insufficient support currently being provided to many carers in looking after people with disabilities. Among the first things we will do:

*Provision will be made in our housing programme for adequate and affordable housing for disabled persons and their families.

*As part of our commitment to the disabled, the eligibility for quarterly household cost allowance payments through Community Care Ltd will be extended to persons in receipt of social assistance and unable to work, including disable persons.

*A GSLP/Liberal Government will also extend the Minimum Income Guarantee to disabled persons.