The government is seeking to raise the minimum monthly pension payment from NT$4,049 to NT$5,000 and boost six other major welfare subsidies, including allowances for older farmers and disadvantaged groups, Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) said today.
The new policy could be implemented as soon as the Legislative Yuan passes an amendment to the National Pension Act (國民年金法), while the six other major subsidies would be raised by 23.5 percent through executive orders, he said.
Under an amendment proposed by the Executive Yuan in January, the minimum monthly pension payment would increase from NT$4,049 to NT$5,000. The amendment is under review in the legislature. If passed, homemakers would be eligible to receive at least NT$5,000 per month in pension payments after turning 65.
Photo: Tyrone Siu, Reuters
Earlier in January, the Executive Yuan also proposed amendments to the Provisional Act Governing the Welfare Allowance for Older Farmers (老年農民福利津貼暫行條例) that would raise subsidies for older farmers from NT$8,110 to NT$10,000 per month.
The amendments are also under review in the legislature.
Increasing monthly pension payments and monthly allowances for older farmers would involve legislative amendments, while the other subsidies could be raised by issuing executive orders, Shih told reporters before a legislative meeting today.
The amendment to increase monthly pension payments has already been reviewed by legislative committees, he said, adding that he hopes it will pass a second and third reading during this legislative session.
Asked if the proposed increase in pension payments and the government’s proposed subsidies for people aged 18 and younger could crowd out other social welfare spending, Shih said that the Executive Yuan would soon provide a broader explanation of its declining birthrate policy package.
The government has announced plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate.
Shih’s remarks came after President William Lai (賴清德) on Sunday said that subsidies for six disadvantaged groups would be increased, including the monthly allowances for older farmers, homemakers and low-income households, as well as education subsidies, disability living allowances and support for disadvantaged children and teenagers.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
Taiwan Travelogue (臺灣漫遊錄), which earlier this week became the first Taiwanese novel to win the International Booker Prize, is to be adapted into a television series through a Taiwan-Japan coproduction, producer Chang Chen-yu (張辰漁) said yesterday. Chang, a producer at World Softest Production Film Co, wrote on Facebook that the company had been searching for projects with international appeal that retain a strong Taiwanese identity after colleagues and Japanese partners strongly recommended the novel. After reading the book, Chang said he immediately decided to pursue the screen rights. “A great story has the power to transcend time and borders, and connect countless people,”
RSS