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6 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Monday, Dec. 23, 1974 News from May I at' this time wish the editor and staff of this paper, my faithful readers and all those who so kindly assist with this column by regular- merriest of Christmases and a Happy New Year. Special thanks to Peggy Larmer who produced last week's news when I was unable to. A large number of parents Blackstock and district * and friends took the oppor- tunity on Wed., December 18 to hear musical numbers as presented by the pupils at Cartwright Central Public sentation from every age group from Kindergarten to Grade 8. The Senior Choir, under the direction of Mrs. Dixon, presented several numbers around the theme of Christ- mas. Two little girls from Grad 3, Julie Veldman and Brenda MacDonald per- formed a tap dance. The "little folk from Kindergarten ly providing news the very School. There was repre- Here's good news... for CPP contributors--their Surviving spouses and dependent children Recent changes to the Canada Pension Plan will result in substantially increased benefits for 1975 and subsequent years. There are other important changes, too. Some affect people over 65 or approaching that age. Others provide equality for the spouses and dependent children of male and female contributors. These changes may require prompt action or getting advice. So we suggest you read this message very carefully. Retirement Pensions Have you contributed to the Plan @® at any time since January 119667? Are you between 65 and 69? Then you have a choice . . . Apply now and start receiving your monthly CPP retirement pension. No more need to retire to collect benefits. {Once you start receiving your pension, however, you can't make further contributions to the Plan.) . OR Continue to contribute to the CPP and possibly build up a larger retirement pension to commence at a later date. Continuing to contribute is also a way to qualify survivors for benefits if you have not already done so. (When approaching age 70, you should consider applying for your retirement pension because after 70 you may no longer contribute to the Canada Pension Plan.) NOTE: Before making your choice you may wish to seek advice from the nearest CPP office. The staff will be pleased to help you. Are you approaching age 657? If you have made your choice and want your.CPP retirement pension to commence as early as possible, you should apply two or three months before your 65th birthday. NOTE: There is no provision for retroactive payment of retirement pensions between the ages of 65 and 69. So if you're in that age group or approaching it, get advice as soon as possible. Do you now receive a CPP retirement pension? = As of January 1st, 1975, your pension will no longer be affected by any money you earn thereafter. "Equal Protection @ for Males and Females, This means that for female contributors, in addition to being eligible for a retirement pension and disability protection for themselves, and a death benefit payable to their estates, as has been the case in the past, their spouses and dependent children are now eligible for benefits as follows: Benefits for Surviving Spouses A monthly pension payable to the widower who at the time of the death of the contributor is over 35 years of age, or under 35 years of age but is disabled or has dependent children; that is, a benefit similar to that which has always existed for widows. rm Benefits for Orphans A monthly benefit payable to unmarried dependent children under 18 and to unmarried dependent children between 18 and 25 attending school or university on a full-time basis. In order for survivors to qualify, the contributor must have died in January 1968 or later and must have contributed for the minimum contributory period, which is three years for deaths occurring before January 1, 1975. Benefits for Children of Disabled Contributors A monthly benefit payable to unmarried dependent children under 18 and to unmarried dependent children between 18 and 25 attending school or university on a full-time basis, where the contributor concerned is:in receipt of a CPP Disability Pension. NOTE: In all cases; it is necessary to make application for benefits. If such applications are approved, payments can only be made currently --that is, from January 1, 1975. No payment can be made for any period prior to that date. f Other Changes: The earnings ceiling--that is, the maximum amount on which contributions can be paid and on which benefits can be calculated--is being raised to $7400 in 1975 and to $8300 in 1976. The initial amount of earnings, on which you are not required to contribute, will be $700 in 1975. - - 5 Death Benefit (Lump Sum). ........... . $740.00 MAXIMUM MONTHLY CPP BENEFITS Effective January 1975 Retirement Pension... ......... .. .... $122.50 Disability Pension, ........... ... 7" $139.35 Surviving Spouse's Pension--under 65. . . . $88.31 I over6s........ $81.67 Orphan's Benefit. .................. $37.27 Disabled Contributor's Child's Benefit. ~...... $ 37.27 Health © Santé et and Welfare Bien-étre social Canada Canada Marc Lalonde, Minister ' Your Canada Pension Plan keeping upwith changing ims For assistance contact: Your nearest Canada Pension Plan office sang several Christmas carols and songs. A choir from Grades 2 & 3 under the direction of their teacher, Miss Morton and the Grade 4 choir directed by Mrs. Kieze- brink both entertained with Christmas songs. The instrumental portion of the programme was represented by a group' of Grade 4 recorders, a record- er ensemble and our Cart- wright School Band. These groups were directed by Mrs. Kiezebrink and assisted by Mr. Butler. The Senior Citizens held a special Christmas Party on Tuesday evening which turned out most successful. The High School students added to, the evening with carol singing which was very ¢smuch appreciated. Thanks also to some of the Port Perry Merchants for their gifts which added to the evening. Winners at the cards with 22 tables were Ladies' 1st - Bessie Mc Cullough, 2nd - Olive Gimb- lett, 3rd - Elizabeth Skelding. Men's 1st - Yeoman Luke, 2nd - Jean Mahaffy, 3rd - Les Taylor. The December meeting of the Candace Unit met at the home of Alma Duff on Tues., December 10th at 9:30 with sixteen 'members and one child present. Our leader Alma opened with a Christ- mas poem. - Peggy Larmer continued with a timely Christmas devotional. Offer- ing was received and dedic- ated. Eileen McLaughlin was in charge of the Christ- mas program. Members were divided into groups of four and each group given a brown paper bag containing a Christmas symbol. Then each group prepared a hymn, Bible reading and _ thought pertaining to the symbol. Then each was presented to the whole pro- viding some humour as well as serious thought. Minutes were read and the roll call answered with "What I Remember About Christmas". The annual meeting was announced for January 14, the Shorthorn Banquet April 9 and our next meeting to be held January 31 at Ruby Parsons' home with Marion Carnaghan tak- "ing the devotional and Ruby VanCamp the programme. Our new unit leader is Norma VanCamp and secre- tary Dorothy Marlow. Meet- ing closed with Mizpah Benediction. Alma then served a delicious buffet luncheon to end a year of close fellowship and dedicat- ion. Before the schools closed for twa weeks of holidays, parties were the order of the day. At the Public School class parties were enjoyed by all especially the younger classes' where even Santa Claus came to cal.__The children enjoyed treats pro- vided by the principal and teachers. Janis Dorrell entertained her Grade 13 classmates to a dinner party "on Thursday evening. The Grade 9 girls enjoyed creat- ing a French dinner at the home of their French teacher, Miss Susan Sheen, also Thursday evening. Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Kelly were guests at the wedding reception last Saturday evening in Oshawa of Mr. Fred Pawley and Miss Nancy Harness. The bride and groom are making their home in Port Hope. o