Around half of all pensioners in Northern Ireland can expect to receive up to £1,000 extra each year following the adoption of a new piece of legislation in the Assembly today.
The State Pension Credit Bill passed its final stage at Stormont, with Social Development Minister Mr Nigel Dodds claiming 120,000 pensioners can expect to receive an average of £400 a year, with some gaining up to £1,000.
The initiative will guarantee pensioners a minimum of £100 a week, or £154 for couples.
The Bill is expected to be passed into law next month and the scheme will come into force in autumn 2003.
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