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Rival party lawmakers went head-to-head again this Thursday,... this time over revisions
to the nation's pension system that the government hopes to implement this year.
Our National Assembly Correspondent Ji Myung-kil has more. The ruling Saenuri Party urged lawmakers
to pass revisions to the pension system... at a meeting of its Supreme Council at a community
welfare center on Thursday.
"The parliament should act quickly to pass pending welfare bills that directly relate
to improving people's livelihoods. We must make sure that there are no holes in the government's
welfare programs."
The party wants to link the so-called basic pension program to the National Pension Service.
Under the basic pension program,... senior citizens in the poorest 70 percent income
bracket would be given a monthly pension of 90 to 190 U.S. dollars.
Seniors who have paid into an NPS account for 11 years or less would receive the most,
while those paying more than 11 years would receive less since they would also get NPS
benefits. The main opposition Democratic Party is against
linking the two programs.
"The government should provide a basic pension to all senior citizens ages 65 and older in
the bottom 70 percent income bracket, regardless of how much they've put into their NPS accounts."
Back at the National Assembly, lawmakers on the welfare committee discussed providing
pensions to people with disabilities and giving allowances to people living under extreme
conditions.
"Despite months of negotiations to find a middle ground, there have been no signs that
the two parties will adjust their positions in order to strike a deal.
In any case, the two parties hope to launch the new pension scheme in July.
Ji Myung-kil, Arirang News."