INCREASED benefits for government pensioners, costing $300 million per annum, were announced in the House of Representatives Tuesday by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Audley Shaw.

Shaw said 23,246 pensioners paid by the Accountant General, or 86.5 per cent of the total number of government pensioners, will benefit from the increases which will range from $335 to $1,250 per month, depending of years of service.

The increased benefits cover pensioners who are in retirement for not less than two-and-a-half years at July 2007; are at least 55 years of age at July 2007; are retired because of ill health regardless of age; and widows/widowers and dependents in receipt of pension prior to July 2007.

The highest increases go to those pensioners earning the least. The $1,250 per month increase goes to those receiving under $20,000 per month. Those receiving $75,000 per month or more will get $499 more per month. But pensioners earning $4,020 per annum with less than 20 years service will get $335 per month more.

Payment of these increases will become effective in December for those who are paid by the accountant general, the minister said.