The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

PARLIAMENTARIANS yesterday passed the Pension Amendment Bill 2016 to make provisions for public and non-public officials to designate beneficiaries for their pensionable emoluments. 

According to Golden Gates MP Shane Gibson, this will amend a policy now in law which makes it possible for the Governor General to grant retirement benefits in one of two options, which include a full pension or a reduced pension along with a gratuity to an eligible officer.

The law now also makes provisions for the legal personal representative of any public officer who dies within the public service to be granted a gratuity. The amount of gratuity depends on the length of service.

However, the newly-passed Pension Amendment Bill 2016 will allow provisions for public officers under oath to designate persons to receive his or her gratuity of an amount equal to pensionable emoluments at the date of his or her death.

The Act also allows that a person who is not a public officer can under oath designate persons to receive his or her gratuity of an amount equal to the pensionable emoluments of such persons at the date of his or her death.

“Mr Speaker,” Mr Gibson said, “as you can see it is important for individuals to be able to name their beneficiary which will allow for a smooth transition and collection of funds once a death occurs of a public officer.”

He said the Bill in its current state has facilitated a backlog of 178 families who have been unable to receive the benefits of loved ones.

While Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner said the Bill is timely, she urged the government to tackle the country’s unemployment issues, pointing out that the jobless would be unable to benefit from the amendments.

St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman echoed this and appealed to the government to assist families who are unable to support themselves.