Special Appeal To Sugar Workers

In recent presentations, we dealt with the subject matter of Voluntary Contributions particularly in response to inquiries we received from persons from the Sugar Industry who were facing the future after the closure of the industry. Very wisely, some of the former workers sought information that would help them to deal with their particular situation.

In their case, they were saying that because of their advanced age, they might not take up another employment between now and age 62. They are therefore willing to pay Voluntary Contributions for the next two or three years as the case may be to increase their eventual Social Security pension.

For those former sugar workers who go to work in another job for an employer, contributions would be paid on their behalf by their employer as is normal. But what of other persons who might decide to work as self-employed persons? Such persons would need to make the special effort: first of all to register as self-employed persons with Social Security; and then to make their regular contributions to Social Security. In this way they can continue to be entitled to the short term benefits (notably: Sickness Benefit), and also to increase their eventual pension percentage.

The Social Security Board would like to appeal to persons who are former sugar workers, and who may be getting into self-employment, to take the necessary steps to follow the requirements of the self-employed coverage provisions for their own protection. You should visit your Social Security offices in Basseterre or Charlestown and get the necessary information and guidance that would enable you to do so.

Already, during the meetings that Social Security has been having with self-employed persons, considerable interest has been shown in the coverage. The natural thing to do is to take it to the next level and to do the intelligent thing and secure your future.

It is useful to know that when all else may fail (that is all other things that people do to provide for their future) Social Security is the guaranteed source of income in old age while offering other benefits along the way and even after death for your eligible survivors.

Yes, it’s all well and good to say that you are doing other things to provide for the future, and this is admirable. But you must always regard all the other measures as the Extra Mile. Social Security is the mainstay for everyone .

As I always say, everything else is like gravy. You must have something basic to put that gravy onto.

If you have any questions regarding self-employed coverage or any other subject matter, please do not hesitate to contact your nearest Social Security Office.