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The Budget

Submitted by rlewis on 15 May, 2008 - 12:13.
Agedhealth For pensionable Seniors, the budget promised to index future pensions to the highest of three indicators, CPI, average national wage and a new cost of living index for seniors. It also increased a range of allowances such as gas/electricity/water and more, and made provision for another $500 grant. It seems to me that this is a good budget for seniors, for which we should be grateful. Now we need to have the government drill down into the next level issues of aged health care and housing, and come up with productive and affordable initiatives here as well. The facilitation of seniors employment for those who wish to work is also a growing national priority, as also an urgent review of the livable value of the base pension.[Editorial modified 19 May]



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Unpublicised change
Submitted by codash on 12 June, 2008 - 15:38.

One of the changes in the recent budget that seems to have almost gone unheralded is the change in income eligibility for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. I understand that, from July 2009, income from pension income streams will be taken into account.   I have no problems with the change itself - it's fair to withhold the benefit from people earning large sums from allocated pensions and this should not have been allowed in the first place. However the income limit of $50000 has not changed since the card was introduced some years ago.    This income limit should be reviewed in line with the approach the Government took with income limits for the Medicare surcharge.

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