- Joined
- Jan 18, 2010
- Messages
- 7,177
- Points
- 48
Pensioners need a raise, schemes need a tweak
I RETIRED two years ago at age 62 and now I am an unemployed low-income pensioner. With the rise in living standards and rise in food, transport and medical expenses, the Government should review outdated pensioners' benefits for low-income pensioners.
In particular, the following schemes should be reviewed or adjusted.
The Pensions branch should consider shortening the current period for restoration of full pension from 121/2 years after retirement to six years. This scheme was suitable for civilian pensioners who retired at the age of 55. But with the retirement age raised to 62, and with the prospect of it being raised further to 65, this scheme is no longer suitable because by the time a pensioner can receive the full pension benefit, he would be near 75 years old. Pensioners could receive a bit more in monthly pensions from this full pension benefit to cover the rising cost of living.
Together with my fellow pensioners - Mr Chew Chong Jin, Mr Ong Kik Beng and Mr Tan Cheng Kiat - I appeal to the Government to also increase the medical claims from $10 for every private clinic receipt to $15.
A few years ago, we paid about $30 to $35 when seeking medical treatment at a private clinic. But nowadays, we must pay about $40 to $45 for the same treatment.
For dental claims, reimbursement should be increased from $70 to $150 per year because of the rising cost of dental treatments.
The authorities should also continue to give the Singapore Allowance increment annually.
We used to get a $20 increment in Singapore Allowance usually in July, during past years. But there was no increment last year. The increment can be given especially since the country has achieved a robust growth.
Tan Kwong Moh
I RETIRED two years ago at age 62 and now I am an unemployed low-income pensioner. With the rise in living standards and rise in food, transport and medical expenses, the Government should review outdated pensioners' benefits for low-income pensioners.
In particular, the following schemes should be reviewed or adjusted.
The Pensions branch should consider shortening the current period for restoration of full pension from 121/2 years after retirement to six years. This scheme was suitable for civilian pensioners who retired at the age of 55. But with the retirement age raised to 62, and with the prospect of it being raised further to 65, this scheme is no longer suitable because by the time a pensioner can receive the full pension benefit, he would be near 75 years old. Pensioners could receive a bit more in monthly pensions from this full pension benefit to cover the rising cost of living.
Together with my fellow pensioners - Mr Chew Chong Jin, Mr Ong Kik Beng and Mr Tan Cheng Kiat - I appeal to the Government to also increase the medical claims from $10 for every private clinic receipt to $15.
A few years ago, we paid about $30 to $35 when seeking medical treatment at a private clinic. But nowadays, we must pay about $40 to $45 for the same treatment.
For dental claims, reimbursement should be increased from $70 to $150 per year because of the rising cost of dental treatments.
The authorities should also continue to give the Singapore Allowance increment annually.
We used to get a $20 increment in Singapore Allowance usually in July, during past years. But there was no increment last year. The increment can be given especially since the country has achieved a robust growth.
Tan Kwong Moh
