C22/1998 GENERAL INCREASE TO BRITISH PENSIONS PAID IN AUSTRALIA

DATE OF ISSUE:  27 APRIL 1998

GENERAL INCREASE TO  BRITISH PENSIONS PAID IN AUSTRALIA

1.The British Department of Social Security (BDSS) have advised that the British pensions paid in Australia will rise in April 1998 by 3.6% in line with their Retail Price Index:

2.These changes will affect the EATS/COMPOSITE cases and any case where service pension is also in payment.  Age pension (BeB) cases will also be affected.  The new rates should be applied to EATS, Composite, all service pension and age pension cases where British disability pension is in payment.

EFFECTIVE DATES

3.This exercise is a manual process and arrears are to be paid to EATS/COMPOSITE cases, so the timetable is at your discretion.  However, the variation should be put into effect on payday 9 April 1998.  In service pension rent assistance, age pension cases overpayments should not be raised.

RATES CHARTS

4.A selection of rates converted to $A at both old and new rates are attached.

MANUAL CASES

5.The manual cases will be divided into those which are to be processed either through the Pension Payment System or through PIPS/PC.

6.The cases requiring manual examination will be identified by AL02 listings and the program $PPBBSPR which will list all service pension cases where British disability pension is in payment.  Action schedules (in the following groups) of cases requiring manual examination and variation by examiners will be produced on the 30 April, 1998.

Group ContentsReference Number

• Composite Cases

(with or without SP)100

• EATS Cases

(with or without SP)200

• Other Overseas pensions

(which may be affected)300

• Miscellaneous and joint cases — 900

Group 300 are to be processed via the PMF update transactions.  Groups 100 and 200 are to be processed via PIPS/PC.

7.The program ($PPBBSPR) will report on all those Service Pensioners who have British DP maintained in their assessment.  This report is to be actioned by amending the British DP amount recorded in each assessment.  Those cases are also to be processed through PIPS/PC.

MISCELLANEOUS AND JOINT CODES

8.Any case listed in group 900 will require action to remove the joint payment and/or miscellaneous pension code, in addition to the British pension adjustment.

CONTROL CARDS AND COMPUTER RUNS

9.The parameter cards for the computer runs are at Attachment A.  Would you please check the parameter cards to ensure that they are correct before processing commences.  Any changes should be reported to Murray Chynoweth on (06) 289 6799 so that the appropriate amendments can be made.  The computer processing will be performed by the Mainframe Support Unit (MSU).  A listing of all relevant cases will be forwarded to Benefits System Support Officers.

DATA ENTRY OF TRANSACTIONS FROM AL02 ACTION SCHEDULES EATS AND COMPOSITE CASES

PAY PERIOD CODES

10.The pay period number 73 (effective date 9 April 1998) should be entered.  The day within the pay period field may be left blank.

KEYFAST BATCH DESCRIPTION

11.The manual transactions for EATS/Composite cases should be entered using Keyfast batch description $PENSIO in normal daily production by cut-off for the next available payday.  Arrears may need to be manually calculated and entered as a one time amount.

CASES WITH SERVICE PENSION AND OR AN AUSTRALIAN

DP COMPONENT TO BE PROCESSED VIA PIPS/PC  (Groups 100, 200)

12.For all cases involving EATS, COMPOSITE or SERVICE PENSION, whether automatic or manual method of assessment, the new rate of British pension must be updated on the CDB via PIPS/PC.  Due to the change in the British rate, these cases will be MS.

ADVICES

13.There will only be two circumstances where an advice is required and that will be in a limited number of cases.  The circumstances are when the British component is greater than the Australian and in cases where the increased British DP reduces the amount of Rent Assistance payable (i.e. in both situations, a payment variation is effected).  All reduced rate age pension cases will also be affected.

14.For variation cases requiring PIPS/PC action, a reason for variation should be entered on the Advices Screen, and an advice indicator of 'Y' coded on action schedules.  For non-PIPS/PC actions, a variation advice indicator of 'A' should be coded on action schedules.

CONTACT OFFICER

15.The contact officer for this exercise is Tiffany McIntyre on PH: (02) 62896398.

RJ HAY

BRANCH HEAD

INCOME SUPPORT

April 1998

ATTACHMENT A

CCHYNO.X.CNTL

MEMBER AL02

Z1200 — ALL3023802380

Z1100 — ALL3223802380

Z2200 — ALL3323802380

Z2100 — ALL0040014003

Z2200 — ALL0050015004

Z2300 — ALL0057005700

			BRITISH PENSION						************************************
			GENERAL INCREASE						***				BRITISH   PENSION		***
			&						***						***
			REVALUATIONS						***				RATES   CHARTS		***
			INPUT WORK SHEET						************************************
					Effective Date for OFFICERS & WIDOWS		9-Apr-98
					Effective Date for OTHER RANKS		9-Apr-98				CURRENT EXCHANGE RATE			$A2.51
				New Exchange rate		one pound = $A	2.51		OTHER RANKS - DISABILITY PENSION-EFFECTIVE					9-Apr-98
				Current (Old) Exchange rate		one pound = $A	2.27
	Open the macro sheet first											OLD	NEW
Please note!   This file must be used with the margins set to left 1.5 right 1.5										CLASS	%	RATE	RATE
and top 2.0 bottom 2.0.   Do not remove any white space or lines from either												P.F.	P.F.
the INPUT WORKSHEET or the RATES CHARTS.    To do so will cause the										V, IV, III, II, I, WO1
macros  to malfunction											20%	107.63	111.54
	PREPARED BY										30%	161.44	167.32
	CHECKED BY										40%	215.26	223.09
	PROOF READING ERRORS:If you find an error in the new rates										50%	269.07	278.86
				that needs to be corrected, load the file
				(BRIT_DP) then find and correct							60%	322.89	334.63
				the rates then save.
											70%	376.70	390.41
Do Not Delete this text
			EXCHANGE RATE VARIATION FROM		TO						80%	430.52	446.18
			CURRENT EXCHANGE RATE
	DISABLED OTHER RANKS - MALE & FEMALE										90%	484.33	501.95
			1939 War  Rates								100%	538.14	557.72
	Assessment		pounds /wk
						Appendix 2
	100		111.10			other ranks							OFFICER - DISABILITY PENSION - EFFECTIVE	9-Apr-98
	90		99.99							Exchange Rate $A	2.51
	80		88.88							RANK
	70		77.77
	60		66.66							1 Midshipman or Comm Off Navy
	50		55.55							2 Lt. Army
	40		44.44							3 Capt. Army		OLD	NEW
	30		33.33							4 Major Army		RATE	RATE
	20		22.22							5 Lt. Col Army	%	P.F.	P.F.
											20%	107.73	111.58
											30%	161.55	167.42
	DISABLED OFFICERS - MALE & FEMALE										40%	215.46	223.26
			pounds yearly			Appendix 1
	100		5797			officers					50%	269.28	279.10
	90		5217
	80		4638								60%	323.10	334.84
	70		4058
	60		3478								70%	377.01	390.68
	50		2899
	40		2319								80%	430.83	446.52
	30		1739
	20		1159								90%	484.74	502.26
											100%	538.56	558.10
							Appendix 8
	SUPPLEMENTARY ALLOWANCES
											OFFICERS
			Officers		Other Ranks								SERVICE RETIRED PAY OR SERVICE PENSION - EFFECTIVE	9-Apr-98
			(yearly)		(weekly)						EXCHANGE RATE	$A2.51
UNEMPLOYABILITY SUPPLEMENT
			old rate	new rate	old rate	new rate						OLD	NEW
Personal allowance			3457	3582	66.25	68.65						RATE	RATE
Wife or adult dependent			1949	2019	37.35	38.70						P.F.	P.F.
1st eligible child			517	517	9.90	9.90					20%	107.73	111.58
2nd & subsequent child			584	590	11.20	11.30
INVALIDITY ALLOWANCE											30%	161.55	167.42
			old rate	new rate	old rate	new rate
Age qualifying	1. Under 40		686	710	13.15	13.60					40%	215.46	223.26
Date	2. Over 40,under 50		433	449	8.30	8.60
	3. 50 or over		217	224	4.15	4.30					50%	269.28	279.10
CONSTANT ATTENDANCE ALLOWANCE											60%	323.10	334.84
			old rate	new rate	old rate	new rate
1. Up to half-day attendance			1057	1096	20.25	21.00					70%	377.01	390.68
2. Full day attendance
Basic rate			2113	2192	40.50	42.00					80%	430.83	446.52
Intermediate			3170	3287	60.75	63.00
Exceptional			4227	4383	81.00	84.00					90%	484.74	502.26
COMFORTS ALLOWANCE											100%	538.56	558.10
			old rate	new rate	old rate	new rate
Higher rate			908	939	17.40	18.00
Lower rate			454	470	8.70	9.00
												SUPPLEMENTARY  ALLOWANCES
AGE ALLOWANCE												OFFICERS and OTHER RANKS - DISABLEMENT
When the degree of pensioned												EXCHANGE RATE	$A2.51
disablement is			old rate	new rate	old rate	new rate
a. 40 to 50 per cent			373	386	7.15	7.40						Effective	9-Apr-98	Effective	9-Apr-98
b. 50 to 70 per cent			577	597	11.05	11.45				UNEMPLOYABILITY SUPP.		OFFICERS		OTHER RANKS
c. 70 to 90 per cent			822	851	15.75	16.30						OLD RATE	NEW RATE	OLD RATE	NEW RATE
d. over 90 per cent			1153	1195	22.10	22.90						P.F.	P.F.	P.F.	P.F.
										Personal Allowance		332.82	344.85	332.58	344.62
										Wife or Adult dependant		187.64	194.38	187.50	194.27
										1st eligible child		49.77	49.77	49.70	49.70
										2nd & subsequent child		56.22	56.80	56.22	56.73
	WIDOWS PENSION and ALLOWANCES						Appendix 6
										CONSTANT ATTENDANT		OFFICERS		OTHER RANKS
		OTHER RANKS								ALLOWANCE		OLD RATE	NEW RATE	OLD RATE	NEW RATE
												P.F.	P.F.	P.F.	P.F.
Type of Award			Other Ranks				Officers			1.Up to half-day attendance		101.76	105.52	101.66	105.42
			Class of Award per Week				per year			2.Full day attendance - Basic		203.43	211.03	203.31	210.84
Widow	WO1	1	2	3	4	5					- Intermediate	305.19	316.45	304.97	316.26
Higher Rate	84.20	84.20	84.20	84.20	84.20	83.90					- Exceptional	406.95	421.97	406.62	421.68
Lower Rate	19.70	19.70	19.70	19.70	19.70	19.41				COMFORTS ALLOWANCE		OFFICERS		OTHER RANKS
												OLD RATE	NEW RATE	OLD RATE	NEW RATE
Children of												P.F.	P.F.	P.F.	P.F.
Widow  1st Child			14.25				741.00				Higher Rate	87.42	90.40	87.35	90.36
											Lower Rate	43.71	45.25	43.67	45.18
2 nd and sub			15.65				813.80
Total Orphans										CLOTHING ALLOWANCE		OFFICERS		OTHER RANKS
1st  Child			16.05				834.60					OLD RATE	NEW RATE	OLD RATE	NEW RATE
												P.A.	P.A.	P.F.	P.F.
2 nd and sub			17.45				907.40				Higher Rate	343.87	356.42	13.19	13.67
											Lower Rate	343.87	356.42	13.19	13.67
infirm 18 +			64.70				3364.40
										INVALIDITY ALLOWANCE		OFFICERS		OTHER RANKS
Age Allowance												OLD RATE	NEW RATE	OLD RATE	NEW RATE
												P.F.	P.F.	P.F.	P.F.
Age 65 to 70			9.60				499.20			Age on       )         < 40 yrs		66.04	68.35	66.01	68.27
										Qualifying  )         > 40 but < 50 yrs		41.69	43.23	41.67	43.17
Age 70 +			18.40				956.80			Date           )         > 50 yrs		20.89	21.57	20.83	21.59
Age 80 +			27.40				1424.80			AGE ALLOWANCE		OFFICERS		OTHER RANKS
										When the degree of pensioned		OLD RATE	NEW RATE	OLD RATE	NEW RATE
										disablement is :		P.F.	P.F.	P.F.	P.F.
										a. 40% to 50% - inclusive		35.91	37.16	35.89	37.15
			Other	Officers						b. > 50% but not > 70%		55.55	57.48	55.47	57.48
M.O.D.			P.F.	P.A.						c. > 70% but not > 90%		79.14	81.93	79.07	81.83
Special Awards for Widow										d. over 90%		111.00	115.05	110.94	114.96
whose husband's service		New	54.88	2854.00
ended on or before 31/3/73
											MISCELLANEOUS
												EXCHANGE RATE	$A2.51
WIDOWS CHILDREN, MOTHERLESS & FATHERLESS CHILDREN							Appendix 9
			Motherless & Fatherless Children									Effective	9-Apr-98	Effective	9-Apr-98
			Total Orphan (weekly rate)							RENT ALLOWANCE (Maximum)		OFFICERS		OTHER RANKS
			child			infirm						OLD RATE	NEW RATE	OLD RATE	NEW RATE
			allow	under15	15orover	18orover						P.F.	P.F.	P.F.	P.F.
officers	rate for 1st		14.15	15.90	15.90	62.45						153.94	158.95	153.86	159.39
R.N.;R.M.	child		14.25	16.05	16.05	64.70
officers	rate for 2nd &		15.45	17.20	17.20	62.45				AGE ALLOWANCE		OFFICERS		OTHER RANKS
R.N.;R.M.	subsequent child		15.65	17.45	17.45	64.70						OLD RATE	NEW RATE	OLD RATE	NEW RATE
other officer	rate for 1st		14.15	15.90	15.90	62.45						P.F.	P.F.	P.F.	P.F.
ranks	child		14.25	16.05	16.05	64.70				Widows - Age 65 but under 70		46.50	48.06	46.44	48.19
other officer	rate for 2nd &		15.45	17.20	17.20	62.45				Age 70 and over		89.15	92.11	89.11	92.37
ranks	subsequent child		15.65	17.45	17.45	64.70				Age 80 and over		132.86	137.17	132.78	137.55
	MISCELLANEOUS				OTHER
					RANKS	OFFICER						DEPENDANTS OF DECEASED MEMBERS
RENT ALLOWANCE (MAX)				old	30.65	1599.00
				new	31.75	1651.00						EXCHANGE RATE	$A2.51
														Effective	9-Apr-98
		WIDOWS' PENSIONS - OFFICERS					Appendix 12				WIDOWS  ** HIGHER RATE **			OLD RATE	NEW RATE
			BOTH WARS							******M.O.D.  Payment Included  ******				P.F.	P.F.
											CLASS V			671.85	695.95
ROYAL NAVY	ROYAL	ARMY	R.A.F.	HIGH							IV, III,  II,  I,  WO1			673.11	697.45
	MARINE			RATE						Lt Comdr,  Capt,  Major,  Sq Ldr				681.71	706.27
				Old Rate	New Rate					Lt,  Lt,  Capt, Fl Lt				680.07	704.54
										Sub Lt,  Lt,  Flying Off   Pilot Off				678.53	703.00
		Major	Sq Ldr	4326	4482					Comms Off				675.93	700.30
		Capt.	Fl Lt	4309	4464					WIDOWS  ** M.O.D. PAYMENT **				OLD RATE	NEW RATE
										Special award for Widows whose husbands completed service				P.F.	P.F.
		Lieut.	FO	4293	4448					on or before 31 March 1973.				265.23	274.77
Comm Off				4266	4420					CHILDREN OF WIDOW OR REMARRIED WIDOW				OLD RATE	NEW RATE
														P.F.	P.F.
							Appendix 14			1st ELIGIBLE CHILD				71.05	71.34
										2nd and SUBSEQUENT CHILD				77.60	78.35
CLOTHING ALLOWANCE			OFFICERS & OTHER RANKS
				(yearly)						TOTAL ORPHANS and MOTHERLESS CHILDREN				OLD RATE	NEW RATE
				old rate		new rate								P.F.	P.F.
Higher rate				137		142				TOTAL ORPHANS   1st CHILD				79.91	80.35
Lower rate				137		142				2nd and SUBSEQUENT ORPHANS				86.36	87.36
										INFIRM & > 18 -				313.76	323.90
	WHEN YOU HAVE ENTERED ALL
	THE NEW RATES SAVE THE INFO.
	YOU SHOULD PRINT THE INPUT SHEETS
	TO PROOF READ THE RATES
	*	*	*
	THE    END