PM Douglas Meets With St. Kitts – Nevis Pensioners
Photo By Erasmus Williams
Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
January 13, 2009 (CUOPM)
The St. Kitts – Nevis Administration has kept its promise to increase social security pensions with effect from January 1st 2009.
The Social Security Board in a statement Tuesday said the increase approved by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is as a response to the effects of inflation on the existing Social Security pensions being received by persons in the twin-island federation.
“All minimum payments have been significantly upgraded by a 33 percent increase. Additionally, all persons already receiving payments which are more than the minimum will experience increases in varying amounts ranging from 3 percent to 15 percent. Assistance Pension is also being increased by 19 percent,” the Board said in a statement.
The Minimum Contributory Age and Invalidity pensions are being increased by 33 percent from $300.00 to $400.00 per month.
Minimum widow/er survivor pension is being increased from $150.00 to $200.00 per month while the minimum pension for children and parents is being increased from $72.00 to $96.00 per month.
Assistance Pension is being increased from $210.00 to $250.00 per month (that is $125.00 per half month). This represents a 19 percent increase, said the Social Security Board.
It said that in case of other age, invalidity and survivors pensions above the minimum, increases will be allocated as follows, persons awarded in 2005 and before will be granted a 15 percent increase; persons awarded in 2006 will be granted a 10 percent increase; persons awarded in 2007 will be granted a 5 percent increase and those awarded in 2008 will be granted a 3 percent increase.