Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1547510
11 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 8 NOVEMBER 2026 OPINION THESE last few weeks' public debate has been dominated by the budget. Many have discussed its economic implications. These are undoubtedly important, and yet debate has tended to ignore some measures that might not affect many but will still make a real difference. The clearest example is the measure through which more than 3,000 women will become pensioners for the first time, joining another 4,000 wom- en who gained this right re- cently. Until a few years ago, a person's national insurance contributions belonged just to them. They could not be shared across couples, even if these would result in better pension entitlements. It was only if there was a separation or divorce that the spouse could gain access to their part- ner's contributions. In the last Labour Party man- ifesto, Int Malta, a proposal was made so that pensioner couples could share contribu- tions if this could result in an improvement in their overall entitlement. This was made in light of the fact that many women in the past were made to leave the labour market up- on marriage or upon mother- hood. The amount of national insurance contributions they made till then were generally not enough for them to qualify for a pension. Moreover, they were also penalised in that they would not benefit from any na- tional insurance credited pe- riods if they did not have the minimum number of required contributions. Budget 2027 has started to address this situation. Now, if a spouse has contributed in excess of the years required to qualify for a full pension, they can transfer up to 5 years of contributions to their spouse. These would then be added to any contributions that the spouse had made in their own right. If a woman had made five years or more of contributions, this transfer would make her qualify for a pension. I believe that this reform ad- dresses a gender inequality in- justice that was imposed by so- ciety on our elderly couples in past decades. When one looks at the bulk of pensioner couples in Malta, most of them depend on just one pension, when in reality their joint contribution records would qualify them for two individual pensions. This new right is a very welcome de- velopment which will improve pensioner incomes, but more importantly recognise the con- tribution of women in families. Similarly, the reform through which, for the first time, wid- ows and widowers will qualify for a full pension is another step to reduce gender inequal- ity. It made no sense that the pension entitlements gained through someone's national insurance contributions are re- duced when these entitlements pass to their spouse. Imagine that you have a joint bank ac- count, which you have saved towards together. Then one of you dies, and the bank tells you that it will now reduce the amount you can withdraw be- cause your partner is no longer with us. Taken together, these two changes—the sharing of con- tributions across couples and the award of full pensions for survivors—mark an important chapter for women in Maltese society. For many decades, our society treated the contri- bution of these women as not equal to that of their spouse and penalised their income. It is only fair that this has now changed. I also welcome another re- form enacted in the budget, which has not been comment- ed much on. In recent years, government had introduced another reform through which thousands of women started to receive an annual bonus as they had made national insurance contributions but not enough to qualify for a pension. The benefit for these women was steadily improved but unlike other social security benefits it would not automatically be increased in line with the cost of living adjustment. This changed with Budget 2027, and now these women, like other social security beneficiaries, will have the purchasing pow- er of their benefit protected against inflation. The budget has also intro- duced changes that will make a real difference in the life of those who need the most help. For instance, I welcome the in- troduction of 10 days paid leave for those who take on fostering, the increase in the adoption grant, the improvement in the carers grant and its expansion to those who work part-time. The introduction of the after- care programme for youths and of national insurance credits for individuals with domestic violence, behavioural problems or mental health issues are also a sign of a society that is focus- ing more on those in need. Next year the budget includes the highest ever financial allo- cation towards the treatment of rare diseases and for the in- troduction of new medicines on the formulary. It also intro- duces a mechanism through which parents of children with disability will start getting ther- apy costs covered by the state. These are progressive reforms that truly strengthen our soci- ety and ensure a better quality of life for all. Lydia Abela A budget for equality and a better quality of life Lawyer and wife of Prime Minister Robert Abela I believe that this reform addresses a gender inequality injustice that was imposed by society on our elderly couples in past decades