New social security policies coming into effect will see more than 46,000 monks and nuns living in 1,800 Tibetan monasteries being given the same life and accident insurance and pension cover as other civilians in the Tibet autonomous region, China Radio International reported on Sunday.

The Temporary Regulation on Monks and Nuns Joining the Social Security System states that religious people over the age of 18 can be covered, on a voluntary basis, by their local pension and medical system.

If they pay premiums for no less than 15 years, they will be able to receive pensions after turning 60. And they will receive medical insurance for just 60 yuan ($9.6) a year, helped by a government subsidy of 220 yuan.

Monks and nuns are also now eligible for low income allowances of up to 400 yuan a month.

Armed, a Party official from Baqen county in Nagqu prefecture was quoted as saying he welcomed the introduction of the new provisions.