PAGE 2, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1974, WHITBY FREE PRESS That*'s right, peace on Earth and goodwill toward all men. Isn 't that what we traditionally think about at Christmas? The shame of it is that we spend the other 51 weeks of the year thinking ideas that certainly couldn't be classed as goodwill towards all men. We think of wars, prejudice, inflation, auto deaths, high taxes, low pay, too many cars on the roads, not enough sqles clerks i the stores, an endless array of rather unpleasant thoughts. We don't subscribe to the theory that thinking nice thoughts will solve the world"s great problems because the answer lies not so much in the thinking of thoughts as it does in the great resources and capabilities of Man., The sooner we stop complaining about the problems of the day and start dong something constructive towards solving the problems - the sooner we can extend the good- will of Christmas to the other SI weeks of the year. The exiSrts tell us that Man is the superior race on earth. In fact, we're so super/or that we 've managed to cause most of the problems present/y found on Earth. Seventy five is a nice round figure that should record well in history books. Let's make '75 the year Man started seriously knuckling under and really getting around to solving the problems our solar system that Nineteen hundred and existing has life seventy, fnally reallzed, Peace on Earth 'v~ ~v. ~ .~ ~ ~ ~ E MuR. .M-W- rPU74E Heres 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. S Retment Pnions Have you contributed to the Plan * at any time since January 1,1966? 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 65? 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 retirernent 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. * Health Santé et and Welfare Bien-être social Canada Canada Marc Lalonde, Minister 2 Equal Prdtection * for Maies 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 payabla 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. 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. For assistance contact: Your nearest Canada Pension Plan office IYour Canada PensionPlan .,keeping up with chnâg'ie on the only planet within . In the year of our Lord, five it would be great if we h, Guodwill towards A men. Whitby Friday, January 3rd is the day set aside for the Whitby YMCA to host a reunion for the Y campers, cilts and staff. t is being held at the Brook- lin United Church, scheduled to start at 9~:30 and finish at 3:30 p.m. Wayne King, the Senior Camp Director, has already started his preparation for the big day. * Bev Aldred, the Junior Camp Director, will be back from Banff and we understand she is getting her voice in shape to lead singing along with Debbie Williams. Audrey Waltzer from.Sports Camp is keeping in shape in order to successfully lead games. Our multi-talented Roger Gomes is preparing to offer crafts. Campers and friends of the Sports, Creative Arts and Day Camp are asked to phone the Whitby YMCA if they are planning to attend. One bus will pick up campers and friends at Ajax High School at 8:40 a.m., Henry Street High School at 8:50, Centennial Building 8:55, Blair Park 9:00, Dr. Robert Thornton 9:08, St. Pauls 9:12, Rossland & Highway 12 9:20 and will arrive at Brooklin United Church at 9:30. Registration is $2.00. For further information please .-phone the Whitby YMCA 668-6868.' PE.ACE ANO- GOODWILL MAXIMUM MONTHLY CPP BENEFITS Other Changes: Effective January 1975 The earnings ceiling-that is, the maximum amount on Retirement Pension...................$122.50 which contributions can be paid and on which benefits Disability Pension....................$139.35 can be calculated-is being raised to $7400 in 1975 Surviving Spouses Pension and to $8300 in 1976. The initial amount of earnings, over 65.......$81.67 on whidWfyou are not required to contribute, will be Retiic r emn' en enio . . ... .. .. .. .. .. .. ...... . $12.5 $700 in 1975. Disabled Contributor's Child's Benefit. . . . . $ 37.27 Death Benefit (Lump Sum)................. $740.00 LIV Mm- q Ed 0 rléi 1 7 1 YMCA Reunion Region Parking The region's staff will negotiate with Consumers' Gas to provide more parking space on Consumers Drive in Whitby. At present, the region rents space in a building adjacent to the Consumers' Gas building of offices for the region's public works, planning and development departments. Although the rental in- cludes sowne parking spaces, there is not enough for the region's staff and there is none for visitors. There are four-and-a-half years left on the region's lease of the office space. An offer has been put forth by Consumers' G whereby they would develop land at the rear of their pro- perty and rent the lot to the region for $813.60 a month for five years. Newcastle Councillor Gar- net Rickard suggested that publie transit would be more feasible than expanding park- ing. However, his suggestion was soon quashed by Works Commissioner Bob Richard- son who pointed out that staff and councillors come from all over the region. 1 - 1 ' 'l