No taxes attached to paying pension through the banking system – Ministry of Human Services
Kaieteur News – Referring to the list of services implemented to accelerate the payment of old age pension, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MoHSSS) announced yesterday that no taxes apply to pension through the banking system.
The Minister for Human Services: Vindhya Persaud during a discourse with pensioners.
The clarification comes weeks after the Ministry announced that citizens can access their old-age pension through the bank leading to questions being asked about the fees / taxes involved in using the bank system.
In a detailed statement, the MoHSSS emphasized that while there are no taxes for those using the banking system, pensioners using the deposit system must deposit their life certificates in a Ministry setting every quarter to continue receiving bank charges.
The Ministry noted that life certificates must be signed and stamped by either a Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, Commissioner for Oaths, Medical Practitioner, Headteacher, Minister of Religion or Bank Manager.
The introduction of the banking system will facilitate pensions deposited into pensioners’ accounts within the first five days of each month.
With over 58,000 pensioners benefiting from the MoHSSS-managed Elderly Pension Scheme, the Subject Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, her commitment to improving the quality of pension delivery and increasing the options for older people to receive their pension.
Against this backdrop, the Ministry will censor pensioners for the hassle-free options available to access their pension.
To boost the educational campaign, the Ministry will hold a weekly LIVE Q&A session on the Ministry’s Facebook page every Thursday at 9:00 am from April 22, 2021 to respond to all concerns related to pension.
In addition, Ministry personnel will host a number of radio stations to discuss pensions issues, including the two newer options, which the Ministry has introduced this year to complement the post office system to allow easy pension collection.
In the meantime, pension vouchers can now be purchased at any Western Union or MoneyGram locations in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven and 10, in addition to post offices nationwide.
Minister Persaud had stated, “Pension vouchers can be exchanged at these locations throughout the month and not just in the first week of the month. They can avoid lines and crowds by using any of the new options as we work to improve pension provision. “
The Ministry also provides the direct payment service to pensioners living in remote communities. Pensioners in over 40 remote communities, particularly in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine, are already benefiting from this service. In order to optimize this service in light of logistics, these direct payments will be made every six months, according to a Ministry statement.
The direct payment service option is also available to pensioners who are eligible for Ministry shut-in services. Individuals with severe mobility problems, visual impairments or who have a bed will be eligible for their pension direct to their homes. The Ministry has established a Register to facilitate this option, and once the information provided is verified, a direct payment will commence.
To date, the Ministry has facilitated over 3,459 pensioners through the closure system across the 10 administrative regions.
To be eligible for pension bank deposits or closing distribution systems, pensioners must apply. ALL pension claim approval processes will be done within a three-week timescale from submission of the claim form, the Ministry has announced.
Meanwhile, in an effort to streamline and streamline the processes, the Ministry has set aside special lines to facilitate all clarification and inquiry. The numbers are as follows: Banking system: 227-0130, new applications / closures and remote services: 227-4410 or 225-6565 ext. 2301, and report of elder abuse: 914.