Crossword Genius

Writer is back on benefit (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pension

'benefit' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'writer is back on' is the wordplay.
'writer' becomes 'pen' (something which writes).
'back' is a reversal indicator.
'is' back-to-front is 'si'.
'pen'+'si'+'on'='PENSION'

(Other definitions for pension that I've seen before include "Retirement pay in a Continental boarding-house" , "support for the elderly" , "Regular payment received after retirement" , "Payment to retired persons a continental boarding house" , "Retiree's income" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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