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There was a time when a working woman was obliged to resign when she got married and acted as housewife. The National Insurance Act stipulated that she could not pay contributions. (Obviously, as otherwise, her husband would have had to pay two contributions).
Act XI of 2003 deleted this alleged discrimination by forbidding a non-gainfully occupied husband, living with his wife, from paying contributions.
Act III of 2005 has now allowed a non-gainfully occupied husband and wife, living together, to pay contribution if they had been, previously, employed persons.
Now the discrimination is limited to similar couples who had been, previously, self occupied contributors.
One lawful remedy allowed is for them to separate or abandon each other in order to safeguard the pension they paid for.
Maurice L Petrocochino
St Julians
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