Pensioner petitions MPs for law change

An 84-year-old Nelson pensioner yesterday presented a petition to MPs asking for law changes that would boost the incomes of married pensioners who live alone.

Married superannuitants receive about $390 a fortnight. Single superannuitants receive about $236.

However, superannuitants struggling alone with a hospitalised spouse are currently prevented from claiming the single allowance, unless their partner suffers from dementia and can no longer recognise them.

Couples where one receives subsidised residential care are unaffected.

The issue received publicity last year when Work and Income staff told 95-year-old Nelson man Russell Calvert the only way he could qualify for a bigger pension was by divorcing his ailing wife.

Nelson pensioner Barbara White presented a petition, signed by 1519 people including Mr Calvert, to Parliament's social services select committee asking for a law change.

Mrs White said since starting the petition she had found she was eligible for the single person benefit, because her husband suffered from alzheimers disease.

However, she was determined to fight on for all the others affected.

"I would like to pursue ... the single superannuation for other people in my position, singly and solely because they've supported me all the way through," she said. "It's only justice."

It is estimated the change would cost about $7 million a year.

- NZPA