On Thursday Prime Minister Salomón Lerner Ghitis, announced that the social pension program Pension 65 would reach 100% coverage in the southern departments of Huancavelica, Ayacucho, Apurimac and Puno.

Pension 65, is a social program that will deliver 250 new soles for those over 65 years in extreme poverty and who do not receive state benefits. The program was one of the main focus points given by President Humala during his presidential campaign.

According to Andina, Lerner said the program would also partial coverage in Metropolitan Lima and Callao as well as 11 other departments during this first stage.

In 2012, a second stage would give coverage to those in the departments of Cuzco and Huanuco, as well as Lima, would receive 100% coverage.

Lerner noted that Pension 65 would reach full national coverage during the third stage, in 2013.

Lerner made this, and other announcements, on Thursday during his presentation of Government policy in front of Congress.

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