Pensioners to Benefit from Carbon Tax

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said pensioners can benefit as much as $130 a year, thanks to the carbon tax. 

Seniors who are eligible are also expected to receive cash bonuses within the next two weeks. Single seniors can receive $250 while couples will get $380. 

The move is to help families prepare for the upcoming price increases. This equates to as much as $700 million pumped into the accounts of three million eligible seniors in the next fortnight. 

An analysis showed that the price increase would cost single pensioners about $3.90 a week or about $204 a year. The carbon tax compensation, meanwhile, would be at $6.50 weekly or about $338 annually, which equates to a $138 surplus for single pensioners. 

The Prime Minister explained that she understands the anxiety pensioners feel about the carbon tax. She, however, insisted that eligible seniors would be better off. 

Gillard also said that the extra cash will help pensioners and would make a big difference in their lives. She added that pensioners would, in fact, get more cash from the government. 

The National Seniors Australia, however, was lukewarm to the Prime Minister’s plan. The organization said about 285,000 self-funded retirees may not benefit from the carbon tax compensation because they are not qualified for tax cuts or the Commonwealth Health Care Card. 

The group added that many seniors remain unconvinced over the benefits of the carbon tax, especially those who are self-funding their retirement.