Elderly get more to enjoy

An increase in pension rates has given the elderly in Rockingham something extra to smile about with many putting their pennies towards more of life’s simple pleasures.

Brand MHR Gary Gray said more than 23,000 pensioners in Rockingham, Kwinana and Mandurah were now receiving an increase in their pension.

Single pensioners on the maximum rate are now getting an extra $35.80 a fortnight and pensioner couples on the maximum rate are receiving $54 more a fortnight combined.

“The boost helps make sure our local pensioners can keep on top of things when the bills arrive,” Mr Gray said.

The increased total pension payment for people on the maximum rate is now $808.40 a fortnight for singles, and $1218.80 a fortnight for couples combined.

Rockingham age pensioner Eileen Mayger said the increase was “marvellous”.

“It gives you that little bit extra,” she said. “Instead of having to watch what you spend all the time, you can have a luxury lunch if you want to.”

Cooloongup age pensioner Marjorie Airey said she was comfortable on the pension but felt for others who had debts to pay.

“It is good, but only because we have got no debt,” she said.

“There are times when you need more money, when you get four bills coming in all at once. I just had $1000 worth of bills come all together — but we live.”

Another Cooloongup age pensioner, Elizabeth Bowden, said she was putting her extra coins aside for a trip to Broome in June.

“When you look at the rest of the world we are pretty lucky,” she said.

“When I talk to my sister in the UK, we are a hell of a lot better off than they are.

“On the whole we are very happy, we don’t have loads to play with but we are OK.”

The pension increase applies to people receiving the age pension, the maximum rate disability pension and carer payment, as well as veterans income support recipients.