Effective next month, Government pensioners, including widows, widowers and dependents, are to receive increased payments retroactive to July 1, 2007.

The increases will benefit 20,122 pensioners paid by the Accountant General, 86.5 per cent of the total number of government pensioners.

For the current fiscal year, the Government has set aside $300 million for pension increases to different categories of persons. They include:

Pensioners in retirement for not less than two-and-a-half years at July 1, 2007.

Those at least 55 years old at July 1, 2007.

Those retired on the grounds of ill-health, regardless of age.

Widows/widowers and dependents receiving a pension prior to July 1, 2007.

The increase ranges from $499 per month for pensioners receiving $75,000 and over per month, to $1,250 per month for pensioners receiving under $20,000 per month.

Widows and widowers will receive $1,000 per month while dependents are paid $600 per month.

Meanwhile, Finance and Public Service Minister Audley Shaw tabled a bill in Parliament yesterday to amend the Pensions (Prime Minister) Act.