First law: 1969 (provident fund).
Current law: 1983 (social insurance), with amendments.
Type of program: Social insurance system.
Employed and self-employed persons aged 16 to 59, including public-sector employees.
Insured person: 4% of earnings; the self-employed contribute 6.75% of earnings.
Employer: 5% of covered wages.
Government: None.
The maximum annual earnings for contribution purposes are E.C.$36,000.
All of the above contributions also finance sickness benefits, maternity benefits, and work injury benefits.
Old-age pension: Age 60 with 500 weeks of coverage, including at least 150 weeks of paid contributions.
Partial pension: Age 60 with 260 weeks of coverage, including at least 150 weeks of paid contributions.
Old-age grant: Age 60 and does not meet the qualifying conditions for an old-age pension. Must have at least 50 weeks of paid or credited contributions.
Disability pension: Under age 60 with 150 weeks of paid contributions.
Disability grant: Under age 60 and does not meet the qualifying conditions for a disability pension. Must have at least 50 weeks of paid or credited contributions.
Survivor pension: The insured was a pensioner or was eligible for a pension at the time of death.
Survivor grant: The insured was eligible for an old-age grant or a disability grant.
Funeral grant: The insured was a pensioner or was eligible for an old-age grant or a disability grant.
Old-age pension: 30% of average earnings, plus 1% of earnings for every
Partial pension: 16% of average earnings, plus 1% of earnings for every
The minimum weekly pension is E.C.$40.
Old-age grant: A lump sum equal to 5 times average weekly insurable earnings for every
Benefit adjustment: Benefits are reviewed periodically.
Disability pension: 30% of average earnings, plus 1% of earnings for every
The minimum weekly pension is E.C.$40.
The maximum pension is 60% of earnings.
Disability grant: A lump sum equal to 5 times average weekly insurable earnings for every
Benefit adjustment: Benefits are reviewed periodically.
Survivor pension: 75% of the insured's pension, payable to a widow aged 50 or older or disabled and to a dependent disabled widower. A limited pension is payable for 1 year to a widow who is under age 50.
Orphan's pension: 25% of the insured's pension for each child under age 16 (age 18 if a student); 50% each for a disabled child or a full orphan.
The minimum weekly pension is E.C.$8.50; E.C.$17 for a disabled child or a full orphan.
The maximum survivor pension is 100% of the insured's pension.
Survivor grant: A lump sum equal to 5 times average weekly insurable earnings for every
Funeral grant: E.C.$2,000 for the funeral of the insured; E.C.$1,500 to the insured for the funeral of a spouse; E.C.$750 to the insured for the funeral of a child.
Benefit adjustment: Benefits are reviewed periodically.
Ministry of Social Services and Labor provides general supervision.
National Insurance Board administers the program.
First and current law: 1983 (social insurance), with amendments.
Type of program: Social insurance system. Cash benefits only.
Employees aged 16 to 59, including public-sector employees.
Insured person: See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors, above.
Employer: See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors, above.
Government: See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors, above.
Cash sickness benefits: Employed on the day before the onset of illness or 13 weeks of contributions, including 8 out of the 13 weeks preceding the onset of illness.
Cash maternity benefits: 30 weeks of contributions, including 20 weeks in the
Funeral grant: The insured person was entitled to sickness benefits or maternity benefits at the time of death.
Sickness benefit: 65% of average earnings during the 13 weeks before the onset of sickness. The benefit is payable from the first day of sickness for up to 26 weeks; for up to 52 weeks with at least 75 weeks of paid or credited contributions in the last 3 years.
Maternity benefit: 65% of average earnings during the 30 weeks before the benefit begins. The benefit is payable for a total of 12 weeks beginning 6 weeks before the expected date of childbirth and up to 6 weeks after.
The minimum benefit is E.C.$450.
Maternity grant: The grant is paid to the uninsured wife of an insured man.
The minimum grant is E.C.$450.
Funeral grant: E.C.$2,000 is paid to the person who meets the cost of the insured's funeral.
Benefit adjustment: Benefits are reviewed periodically.
No statutory benefits are provided.
No statutory benefits are provided.
Ministry of Housing, Social Security, and Women's Affairs provides general supervision.
National Insurance Board administers the program.
First and current law: 1998 (employment accident).
Type of program: Social insurance system. Cash benefits only.
Employees aged 16 to 59, including public-sector employees.
Insured person: See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors, above.
Employer: See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors, above.
Government: None.
Work injury benefits: There is no minimum qualifying period.
70% of average weekly insurable earnings over the previous 13 weeks. The benefit is payable from the day of the injury until recovery, for up to 26 weeks.
Benefit adjustment: Benefits are reviewed periodically.
70% of average weekly insurable earnings over the previous 13 weeks. The benefit is proportionately reduced if the assessed degree of disability is less than 100%.
Constant-attendance allowance: 50% of the disability benefit, if 100% disabled.
Benefit adjustment: Benefits are reviewed periodically.
Benefits include the cost of medicines, surgery, prostheses, and overseas treatment, including the cost of transportation.
Survivor pension: 75% of the insured's pension, payable to
Orphan's pension: 25% of the insured's pension for each child under age 16 (age 18 if a student); 50% for a disabled child or a full orphan.
Other dependents: 25% of the insured's pension (50% if totally dependent) for a period of 52 weeks.
The minimum weekly pension is E.C.$8.50; E.C.$17 for a disabled child or a full orphan.
The maximum survivor pension is 100% of the insured's pension.
Funeral grant: E.C.$2,000 is paid to the person who meets the cost of the insured's funeral.
Benefit adjustment: Benefits are reviewed periodically.
Ministry of Housing, Social Security, and Women's Affairs provides general supervision.
National Insurance Board administers the program.
