The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

10.7.100 Maltese glossary

Introduction

This section contains a list of terms used in and applicable to the Agreement with Malta.

Benefit

Benefit, for Australia, means a pension, benefit or allowance payable under Australian social security legislation as specified in Article 2 of the Agreement. This includes Age and, in some cases, DSP and PPS (see definitions below). It also includes any additional amount or increase that is payable to a person who qualifies for that increase, including pension supplement and RA for people in Australia. Any additional amounts are subject to the portability restrictions under the SSAct for people outside Australia.

Note: Although listed as Australian benefits covered in Article 2 of the Agreement, from 20 March 2020, WP, WidB and BVA ceased. Recipients of these payments were transferred to another payment, such as Age, where eligible.

Benefit, for Malta, means a pension, benefit or allowance payable under Maltese Social Security Acts as specified in Article 2 of the Agreement.

More information on Maltese contributory benefits is available from the Maltese Department of Social Security.

Disability support pension

The original Agreement covered DSP for both the severely disabled and the non-severely disabled. New grants of DSP under the current agreement are limited to individuals who are severely disabled (non-severely disabled recipients granted under the original Agreement were grandfathered and remain eligible).

Malta

'Malta' is the Republic of Malta, comprising the islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino.

Parenting payment (single)

Under the Agreement PPS is limited to legal (de jure) widows. Other categories of lone parents (single parents, males etc.) are not covered under this Agreement.

Period of insurance in Malta

This is a period when contributions were paid or credited under Maltese law. When a person is granted a Maltese contributory pension, Maltese insurance is no longer paid. Maltese retirement pensions are granted earlier than Australian Age so the Agreement recognises periods of receipt of Maltese retirement pensions up to the age of 65 as Maltese periods of insurance when totalising for Australian benefits.

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