Sthn Cross members may get premium cuts

Southern Cross Chairman Graeme Hawkins speaking at the AGM in Auckland this week. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Elderly members of 830,000-member Southern Cross might get big premium cuts.

Southern Cross emphasised any investigations into premium reductions would only be for elderly and not across-the-board.

The society is thought to have at least 90,000 elderly members, many hard-pushed to pay skyrocketing annual charges.

Graeme Hawkins, chairman, announced relief examination measures after an outcry at this week's annual meeting where policy holders criticised unaffordable prices.

He announced the outcome of resolutions calling for premium relief and said members had voted in favour of these.

The resolutions were proposed by outspoken shareholder advocate Bruce Sheppard who made impassioned speeches at this week's meeting, pleading for a society which treated people with more dignity and respect.