legislators.

The Upper Chamber yesterday passed the Pensions (Public Service Superannuation Act 1981) Increase Order and The Pensions Increase Order 1995.

Sen. Lynda Milligan-Whyte (UBP) said the increases of between 0.5 and five percent were in line with the rise in the cost of living between July 1, 1992 and June 30, 1994.

The Finance Minister was required to review the pension rates to ensure they kept pace with increases in the cost of living, she said. If the increase over a two-year period was higher than 0.5 percent, the Minister was required to increase pensions by a specified formula.

The chairman of the Superannuation Board had the same power.

The review was conducted by the Accountant General, Sen. Milligan-Whyte said.

Sen. Terry Lister (PLP) said his party supported the increases. Public servants who gave "magnificent service should have an opportunity to live in retirement and live in dignity'', he said.

He expressed surprise the review was carried out by the Accountant General, rather than the Statistics Department.