SANTIAGO, Chile - Chile's first lady has reassured all 33 rescued miners that the government won't abandon them, a day after she announced early retirement benefits for just under half of them.
President Sebastian Pinera's wife Cecilia Morel said Tuesday that 14 of the miners who are at least 50 years old or suffer from health problems that prevent them from working will receive lifetime pensions of about $540 a month.
The miners themselves helped decide who among themselves who should qualify.
Most of the others have yet to find steady work, and some are facing a financial squeeze because they've been taken off medical leave, meaning the state-run workplace insurance agency no longer pays their salaries.
Morel spoke Wednesday.
