The Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family said that during the 2011 Budget speech, measures in social security were announced. Measures include the cost of living increase, deductions in the rate of service pensions considered for the calculation of a Social Security pension rate and changes in the rates of Supplementary Allowance.

These measures are with effect from 1st January 2011.

The Department of Social Security is currently processing its benefits to bring into effect the mentioned measures.

· The public is informed that, as regards Widows Pensions, the increase in pensions as a result of the cost of living is to be issued with the payment of the 31st December 2010 which covers the pension payment period from the 1st January 2011 to the 28th January 2011.

In the case of the cost of living bonus and the increase in the pension rate due to the Service Pension measure (where applicable) will be issued with the payment of the 31st December 2010.

· The public is informed that, as regards Age Pensions, the increase in pensions as a result of the cost of living is to be issued with the payment of the 15th January 2011 which covers the pension payment period from the 15th January 2011 to the 11th February 2011.

In the case of the cost of living bonus and the increase in the pension rate due to the Service Pension measure (where applicable) will be issued with the payment of the 15th January 2011.

· The public is informed that, as regards Invalidity Pensions, the increase in pensions as a result of the cost of living is to be issued with the payment of the 8th January 2011 which covers the pension payment period from the 8th January 2011 to the 4th February 2011.

In the case of the cost of living bonus and the increase in the pension rate due to the Service Pension measure (where applicable) will be issued with the payment of the 8th January 2011.

· The public is informed that, as regards Retirement Pensions, the increase in pensions as a result of the cost of living is to be issued with the payment of the 24th December 2010 which covers the pension payment period from the 25th December 2010 to the 21st January 2011.

In the case of the cost of living bonus and the increase in the pension rate due to the Service Pension measure (where applicable) will be issued with the payment of the 22nd January 2011.

Another measure in the Budget for 2011, which will come into effect as from the 1st January 2011, is the increase of the maximum income for means test purposes with the cost of living for social benefits.

Permalink: Statement on Budget 2011 social security measures