Total expenditure on Social Security Benefits last year amounted to €731.4 million, up by €69.5 million over the comparative period in 2009. This reflected mainly higher expenditure of €60.5 million on Contributory Benefits. Non-Contributory Benefits rose by €9.0 million. In 2010 the outlay on Social Security Benefits made up 11.7 per cent of the GDP at current market prices, 0.4 percentage points over 2009. On a cash basis there were 14 payments in calendar year 2010 compared to 13 in the previous years.

The increase in Contributory Benefits was essentially the result of a €50.4 million growth in Pensions in respect of Retirement, which amounted to €369.9 million. This was underpinned by the outlay on the Two-thirds Pension, in part reflecting a rise in the number of beneficiaries. Pensions in respect of Invalidity declined by €2.0 million during the period under review, while Benefits relating to Industrial Injuries declined by 9.1 per cent. Pensions in respect of Widowhood increased by €4.8 million while the Other Benefits went down by €0.5 million.

Non-Contributory Benefits advanced by €9.0 million over the outlay in 2009. Most of the increase in this category was attributed to a €6.6 million rise in outlays on Social Assistance. Old Age Pension, Disability Pensions/Allowance, and Medical Assistance added by €1.2 million, €0.6 million, and €0.9 million respectively.

During the period under review Children’s Allowance and Supplementary Assistace declined by €0.8 million and €0.2 million respectively. Expenditure on Social Security Benefits during the fourth quarter last year amounted to €197.6 million, an increase of €37.8 million compared to the December quarter of 2009. This was brought about by increases of €32.4 million in Contributory Benefits and of €5.4 million in Non-Contributory Benefits.

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