NIS is a bedrock for Guyanese who attained the age of retirement

Mar 23, 2024 Letters

Dear Editor,

The NIS has been a bedrock for people from all walks of life when they would have reached the age of retirement. It is a scheme that is meant to be a sustenance to us so that we can live a life of comfort when we would have reached our twilight zone.

The NIS is a scheme that offers social insurable coverage for persons who are gainfully employed, that is from age 16 onwards. One can be employed in the government service, private employment or self-employed. In any of the categories mentioned above, you are required to make at least 15 years of contributions before full benefits can be given to retirees.

Now, all’s well once you have made your contributions and have reached the age of retirement one should get retirement benefits, but this is not to be for some in the workforce. Some workers cannot show proof of contributions and for which The NIS cannot show record of their contributions. This has been a sore point between contributor and The NIS? The NIS insists in the worker providing evidence of his contribution while the worker is adamant that they have paid in their contributions and must be compensated for it.

Now herein lies the perennial problem which in many cases is the fault of the worker. Do not take your employer’s word for granted, that he is paying up your dues to The NIS, your duty is to go to The NIS and get a certified printout of your contributions, whether yearly or quarterly, it is your right to know what your status is?

It is your money and now is the time to rectify any anomalies that may have existed, do not wait until your retirement. With a certified printout you are well positioned to present your evidence when the time comes.

The NIS cannot go on hearsay evidence, cold, hard copy evidence is proof of your claim, and any other source is on shaky ground. I thought that I would bring this important piece of information to the working public out there.

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