Cabinet approves draft amendments to raise elderly farmers' welfare allowance

The Executive Yuan on Thursday approved the Ministry of Agriculture's proposed amendments to Articles 2, 4 and 7 of the Provisional Act Governing the Welfare Allowance for Elderly Farmers, with the aim of better caring for farmers in later life. The draft bill will be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation.

Premier Cho Jung-tai noted that the welfare allowance is an old-age benefit for retired farmers, and that the proposed amendments increase the monthly allowance to NT$10,000 (approximately US$316) per person to reflect the rising cost of living, while also taking into account equity across social welfare programs and the central government's fiscal capacity. In addition, to address rising prices and strengthen benefit guarantees, the draft amendments relax existing means-testing criteria and introduce an adjustment mechanism that triggers when the consumer price index (CPI) growth rate reaches 3%. These changes recognize farmers' contributions and value to food security and national development, putting into practice the government's commitment to supporting farmers in their later years.

Premier Cho added that, with respect to reviews of the national pension and other welfare benefits, the Executive Yuan is gradually conducting those reviews and will propose further legislative amendments, guided by three principles: improving people's livelihoods, protecting vulnerable populations and maintaining fiscal sustainability.