Effective February 2008, approximately 14,000 pensioners will begin to receive pension arrears, retroactive to 2001.

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles, said on Tuesday that Cabinet has approved an amendment to the National Insurance (NIS) Act to enable the payment of arrears of up to three years.

The Government will source $400 million from the National Insurance Fund to make the payments.

Claiming benefit

The NIS Act and Regulations stipulate that application for pension benefits must be made within 12 months after the date of entitlement. Claims outside of this period will not be honoured.

According to Mr. Charles, the Government has changed the time frame for claiming pension benefits from 12 months to three years.

In a statement to Parliament, Mr. Charles told his colleagues that the period for claiming employment injury benefit has moved from 10 days to six months.

The amendment to the NIS Act will also facilitate the payment of NIS pension grant at the time the claim is made.

Pensioners will receive payment by cheque through the postal service.

Persons eligible for payment are not required to apply for the benefit as they will be identified by the ministry.