Seniors were given some welcome news last night as Finance Minister Paula Cox made an order to raise pensions benefits by 4.5 percent.

Ms Cox announced that the basic contributory pension would go up from $826.07 per month to $863.23 per month, from August.

The maximum pensions will go from $1,102.50 per month to $1,152,12 per month. The increase in benefits will be accompanied by a rise in contributions by a recommended rate of 6.25 percent.

Ms Cox said the increase marks the seventh pension rise in the Progressive Labour Party’s nine years in Government, with the last rise four percent last August. This compares with pension increases every two years during the 1990s, Ms Cox said. Reading the draft order in the House of Assembly, Ms Cox said: “This is yet another indication of Government’s commitment to enhance the quality of life of our citizens.

“Through no fault of their own, currently a number of retired persons are not receiving an occupational pension and are therefore relying on their social insurance as their sole source of income.

“Obviously, this is not an ideal situation and the Government continues to do its utmost to ensure that seniors who rely heavily on their social insurance benefits are cared for suitably.”

Shadow Finance Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin applauded the move.

“The Government must take credit for putting more money in the seniors’ pockets,” she said. “We will continue to advocate on behalf of the seniors.”