A new bill seeks to change and potentially do away with the term "homemaker," thus allowing hundreds of thousands of women to qualify for social security pensions.
Blue and White MK Hila Shai-Vazan, who sponsored the bill, said it was unthinkable that hundreds of thousands of married women who do not work are denied their old age pensions simply because they have never had a job outside the home.
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According to the bill, 370,000 women are defined by the National Insurance Institute as "homemakers," meaning that when they reach the age of 62, they will not be eligible for pensions.
Of those, 16,000 are between the ages of 62 and 70 and are denied other health benefits afforded through the NII over the fact that as homemakers, they do no pay its basic fees.
Employed Israelis have NII fees automatically deducted from their wages, thus ensuring eligibility for various health benefits and pension stipends.
NII officials are reportedly on board with this plan and even helped Shai-Vazan draft the legislative proposal.
Under the bill, "homemakers" will have to pay the minimal monthly NII fee of 175 shekels ($51) and become eligible for a monthly stipend between the ages of 62 and 70.
Israeli law entitles every citizen to old age pensions once they reach the age of 70, regardless of whether they had previously paid NII fees. Shai-Vazan's bill seeks to bridge the discrepancy currently in place for women younger than 70.
"This bill will promote a real change in Israeli society and especially in the status of women," she told Israel Hayom.
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