More than 15000 senior citizens benefit from Social Pension Scheme

15,707 senior citizens around the country are benefitting from the government's Social Pension Scheme.

Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar says of this 2,324 are new beneficiaries who were approved through the new age eligibility that came into effect in July this year.

She says as of July this year, the eligibility criteria for Social Pension Scheme also includes the senior citizens who are 68 years and above and do not have access to any form of superannuation funds like FNPF, Ex‑Servicemen, Aftercare Fund.

Akbar says this year the Government has reformed the Social Pension Scheme to reduce the age of eligibility from 70 years to 68 years and to increase the monthly allowance from $30 to $50.

She adds the funding for this program has been increased from $3 million to $8 million in order to carry out this reform.

Meanwhile, a total of 46,133 senior citizens and 2101 persons living with disabilities are also benefiting from the Government's Bus fare subsidy.

The Ministry also spearheads the National Council for Older Persons that has representatives from Government and Non‑Government Organisations working actively to promote the well-being and interests of senior citizens.