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Pension Reform for Public Officer a Priority (including Members of Parliament a Priority)

The blogmaster found the comment posted by Critical Analyzer interesting even if provocative. What we can agree is that pension form in the public service- including for members of parliament – must be given a priority. The issue is compounded with the state of the National Insurance Fund that we are left to speculate.

Pension Reform as the world tries to do it now is only kicking the can down the road with the warmed over soup gimmicks of every few years increasing the retirement age, changing pension formulas and raising contributions rates while government borrowing from the pension funds for their projects.

Our pension reform needs to completely break the mold

1) For every person currently 50 years or less, change their pension age back tot 65 and have NIS pay an across the board universal basic pension (UBP) calculated based on the cost to cover a one bedroom rental, utilities and food for a single pensioner living alone. Anyone wanting more pension at retirement should seek private pension plans and other investment opportunities during their working years if they desire a higher standard of living.

2) Persons 51 and older would remain under the current arrangements with any shortfalls for the year covered by an unfunded pensions tax. This pension tax would eventually reduce and go away as the numbers under the old arrangement die out.

3) Since healthcare is the biggest money problem for pensioners, work on improving the quality and turnaround time for our taxpayer funded healthcare while bending healthcare costs down through novel approaches e.g. a requirement for medical license renewal could be a minimum amount of pro bono work at government medical facilities or referrals for free outpatient surgical procedures.

Critical Analyzer

177 responses to “Pension Reform for Public Officer a Priority (including Members of Parliament a Priority)”

  1. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    We should rename the days of the week to typoday 1, typoday 2’….. Or auto correct day 1 ….

  2. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ Artax
    We seem to be confusing each other! You are saying that Moore has not been allowed or has not yet demonstrated her mastery of trade unionism. I am saying she has none. Period.
    You introduced Comrade Trotman’s consultancy at BWU. I said that’s how the Duopoly operates. Sir Roy is a Duopoly power player. I said you did not mention he was on the BLP’s platform. Mascoll seems to be one as well.
    That strengthened my argument about the Duopoly.
    In my opinion, every time Mia’s does shit ; we seem very accommodating. And this is about her fifth foul up.
    I am standing firm : I am not and will not ever be impressed by the pot calling the kettle black.

  3. Cuhdear Bajan Avatar
    Cuhdear Bajan

    @William Skinner March 20, 2022 9:29 AM “…he has now suffered an unnecessary embarrassment…”

    I repeat. Mr. Kothdiwala has no reason to be embarrassed since he has done nothing wrong.

    Only wrong doers ever need to be embarrassed.

  4. David Avatar
    David

    @Vincent

    Who is recommending a 401k for Barbados? One comment and you are prepared to go down the rabbit hole?

  5. David Avatar
    David

    @William

    Has Trotman given himself a consultancy with BWU?

  6. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    I would be the first to confess that I do not have any answers.
    The only thing that keeps me going is that I am convinced that others are just a clueless as I am and others even more so.

  7. Dame+Bajans Avatar
    Dame+Bajans

    @David

    After Moore was elected Leroy was on staff as a Consultant and kept his old Office. Whether he still is a consultant advising the Moore person, I do not know, but his health is not good, so I doubt it very much.

  8. David Avatar
    David

    @Dame

    He is still consulting.

  9. Vincent Codrington Avatar
    Vincent Codrington

    @ David Bu

    401 K was mentioned in TheO ‘s intervention. I was responding to it. Your article is about Pension Reform. Do I not have free choice as to which rabbit hole I go down?

  10. David Avatar
    David

    @Vincent

    It was a reminder 491k cannot be a Barbados investment instrument for obvious reasons. Does the blogmaster have license to do same?

  11. Vincent Codrington Avatar
    Vincent Codrington

    David BU
    It is a system of Pension management. Not an instrument. Of course it is not available . But Private Corporations employ a similar system for their pensioners.

  12. David Avatar
    David

    @Vincent

    If you say so, thought it was a defined contribution plan supported by US employers but the blogmaster pleads ignorance. Will defer to you.

  13. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    A next personal attack
    Last time I was lumped with AC
    This time I am lumped with John (🐇)
    I seem to recall Hants said I was replacing 555 when I was posting music
    If these personal attacks continue, I may be forced to run 🙂

  14. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    @ TheOGazerts,

    you accusing me of accusing you ? If I so did I apologise. lol

  15. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    @Cuhdear BajanMarch 20, 2022 11:22 AM

    Read properly: “Old” Barbadians = current population, NOT “old” people.

  16. TheOgazerts Avatar
    TheOgazerts

    When all is said and done, most of us will agree that there are enormous problems confronting our country.

    Some on one side of the political divide would paper over the issues and some on the other side would magnify these problems. To both, it is not a half empty/half full glass but rather that it is overflowing or empty.

    The problems are real and no wordsmith can change that fact. The solutions must also be real and not be a public relation stunt or be seen as an opportunity for skullduggery.

    Skullduggery:
    The procurement of vaccines during the ‘covid-19 crisis” became nothing more than a transfer of money into one person’s pocket. It would be folly to believe that these thieves are just getting money for themselves; they are nothing more than common bagmen posing as glorified business ‘maguffys’.

    The second example was an attempt to jumpstart our tourism product by finding a new and inspiring slogan. It goes without saying that a better end product could have been delivered to the nation at a much cheaper cost. Here again, a moment of national need was seen as an opportunity to put money in someone’s pocket.

    Here we have seen that national problems are seen as an opportunity to make money.

    PR campaign
    What about problems that do not exist that we just go out and create.

    The KK debacle is such an example. Here we have an experience lawyer/politician not being satisfied with a 31-0 but reaching past the valid senatorial pool and into the cradle to find a next senator. Inventing a constitutional issue where there should be none.

    Meanwhile, worthwhile issues such as
    Integrity Legation,
    Greater transparency
    Justice reform and separating lawyers from their client’s money and
    Repaying creditors with more than Barbados J-bonds
    are given lip-service

    The newest scam is now to focus on vacant lots. This will mainly affect folks in the Diaspora who are unable to pay close and immediate attention to their property.

    Government should not be run like a scam or a PR stunt.

  17. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    Trying to hold back, but I cannot
    Looks like the DLP set its alarm clock and went to bed.
    I am coming to the conclusion that even now the party is bereft of ideas.
    That they are lazy and election year driven
    Perhaps they can generate some buzz by trying to draft KK as a senator 🙂

    DMA raise your profile. The opportunity is there. Stop taking your cue from non-existent leaders,

  18. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    “The problems are real and no wordsmith can change that fact. The solutions must also be real and not be a public relation stunt or be seen as an opportunity for skullduggery.”

    wordsmith…a word i used in my second book, looks like you been reading it before it’s published …lol

    “Government should not be run like a scam or a PR stunt.”

    it’s been like that from 1966…and before that…..with the cabal of crooks calling themselves elite…from 1940s..at least 80 years in all….while the backward and weak minded glorify, respect and look up to these pretenders like themselves…

  19. David Avatar
    David

    How was money transferred from government to someone’s pocket?

  20. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    We have been reduced to dotting i’s and crossing t’s.

    Passage of time and lack of transparency makes it impossible to produce evidence. I would bet a small sum that Maloney will be or was made whole in the vaccine scam.

  21. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ David
    I don’t know. I figure that such an offer would have been the prerogative of the union/ general council.

  22. David Avatar
    David

    Looking back with regret?
    I SHALL GO to my grave, hopefully not too soon, contending that perhaps the greatest mistake that Barbados has made was to sell the Barbados National Bank. Now I say ad nauseum “we need a bank”.
    While the decision to resign from the bank opened personal opportunities for me in that it started a career of assisting banks in many countries, there was a downside for me. Leaving the Barbados National Bank had its consequences. I estimate that the cost for me was a loss of $2 million dollars, perhaps more if you consider also that I should not have taken the job.
    There are two sides to the appeal of the banks. To say that the move to charge the banks and other entities a retroactive tax serve them right as they were ripping off the people with low interest rates and commissions, does not give these entities credit for survival.
    22 per cent
    Back in 2018 banks that had to invest up to 22 per cent in low interest bonds and had to bear the cost of these bonds being not paid. The banks made adjustments as their business absorbed the losses and adjusted their charges, interest, promoted their investment in technology and by the next two years were able to satisfy their investors who were looking for dividends.
    This new tax that is retroactive is not a fair tax considering that the banks and other entities have closed their books, paid taxes already as well as dividends. But it shows an air of desperation on the part of Government in the face of the survival of the average person, nay the poor ones. What is a Government supposed to do caught between the devil and poverty?
    You have to understand that the Government would look around and target those that have flourished during the hard times. I have great sympathy for the outburst of the head of the banking community.
    However, I repeat that the only way to control a bank’s profit is to have your own bank like a cat among the pigeons.
    What will the banks do now?
    They will retreat into their shell and reduce the cost of staff (increasing their Internet banking), find other ways of charging commission, be more aggressive with their delinquent customers and have a second look at the benefits of the savings portfolio.
    There will be pressure from overseas shareholders about the retroactive tax, as they will show no sympathy for our desperation. Even so you may ask how a local bank would help. Some banks may leave and some will stay. We would not have to force a bank to stay for whatever
    reason. Then the profitability of our bank will not be determined by the expectations of overseas shareholders and their expected rate of return.
    Missed the opportunity
    Back in 2018 when all the negotiations were going on, some banks were at their lowest ebb.
    We were in a good position to buy a bank that was in trouble with its balance sheet. We did not have to pay cash. One bank was identified.
    We missed the opportunity.
    Now our desperate move in relation to the negative impact of COVID-19 and poverty confrontation is haunting us. I am sorry for the banks. They will survive, but I am sorrier for the poorer Barbadians.
    We may be sorry that we hunted and deported the Guyanese that were cultivating patches for fruit and vegetables in St John and St Joseph.
    There is another problem that confronts Barbados. We have a plethora of savings of which we are justly proud, but they are in Barbados dollars. While it is good to have foreign investment, we need to see the holders of these Barbados dollars invest in opportunities to earn foreign exchange.
    More and more we see companies with foreign exchange possibilities gobbled up; the latest foragers are the Jamaicans. A Government incentive to deal with a local bank can go a long way in changing this behaviour.
    Again I draw to the attention of Barbadians that the big holding of foreign exchange cannot be used by us and merely protects the value of the Barbadian dollar pro temp. In the midst of all of this we are expected to play our part in the effort to reduce the warming of the earth. Indeed we would not be only playing our part but also saving ourselves.

    Harry Russell is a banker. Email quijote70@gmail.com

    Source: Nation

  23. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    “I would bet a small sum that Maloney will be or was made whole in the vaccine scam.”

    Theo….be careful the pretenders don’t start attacking you too or setting their” illiterati” channeling Piece, to do so..

    ..they only want to TALK and compliment each other on how they present pretty words/posts without any substance or power, about corruption and human rights abuses/massive THEFTS AGAINST Black people, but don’t actually want to see anything done about it…it’s been a thing for years…even people in other countries have noticed it…

  24. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    Harry Russel has long been a prophet whose message about the BNB has not only been ignored by Bajan brass, but we went on to sell even more of our children’s BIRTHRIGHTS to foreigners for a quick splurge of mendicancy.

    To sell a birthright is to “exchange something of great, important, or fundamental value for some financial gain that proves to be of little, trivial, or no value but which appears to be attractive or valuable on first reckoning.”
    So where exactly did the couple dollars ‘earned’ from the sale of BNB, BS&T,BLP etc go?
    How are these pieces of silver contributing to our security and stability in 2022?

    Apart from the albino-centric ‘greed-mongers’ among us (who will all die in misery and leave their millions hidden in useless accounts around the world), how has the country benefitted?
    The mid-level facilitators (mostly public servants) who, in exchange for various bribes, trips overseas, appointments and other underhand incentives, sold out their children’s future to the greedy – must now find it hard to sleep at night…even with their senior posts.

    The very lowest form of ‘traitor’ is the one that exchanges their children’s and grand children’s future for their own selfish, greedy, ends. This has been the national trend set by our shiite ‘leaders’ in Buhbados now for decades.

    The chickens have been coming home to roost…..
    Bushie awaits the response of the banks to the Covid tax …. and says a quiet word of prayer for those Bajans who hold loans and mortgages that they are having difficulties in servicing….

    Where there is no vision, it is the PEOPLE who will suffer..
    Note… (Not the shiite leaders… so we truly deserve the ‘leaders’ that we choose to follow)

  25. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    “Apart from the albino-centric ‘greed-mongers’ among us (who will all die in misery and leave their millions hidden in useless accounts around the world), how has the country benefitted?”

    am so looking forward to THAT…hope it’s ALL FROZEN soon, while they are alive….MFs..

    “This has been the national trend set by our shiite ‘leaders’ in Buhbados now for decades.”

    GOSPEL!!!!

  26. David Avatar
    David

    @Bush Tea

    The blogmaster prefers to use the reference- strategic asset.

  27. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    William Skinner March 20, 2022 12:29 PM

    “We definitely seem to be confusing each other!”

    You believe Moore is incompetent. I “introduced Comrade Trotman’s consultancy at BWU” to support an ALTERNATIVE OPINION that it is ONE of the REASONS why she has not been allowed to function in her capacity as GS, without being ‘shadowed.’

    ‘Nothing more, nothing less.’

    And, as I ‘said’ previously, I did not mention anything about Sir Roy being on the BLP and Moore’s platform, because I believed it was IRRELEVANT to your INITIAL DISCUSSION about the lady’s tenure at BWU.

    So, I was trying to figure out how the discussion suddenly deviated from focusing on Toni Moore’s tenure as GS of BWU……to Clyde Mascoll, you wanting “to strengthen your argument about the Duopoly and not being impressed by the pot calling the kettle black?”

    You guys often give the impression that there are a specific set of rules, regulations or guidelines that MUST be ADHERED TO when analyzing or criticizing Barbadian politics, political parties and politicians.

  28. David Avatar
    David

    @William

    EDITORIAL
    NUPW must change strategy
    TRADE UNIONS in Barbados, and indeed internationally, have been on the back foot over the past two decades.
    They have been forced into a defensive position caused by the political, economic and cultural changes in society, resulting in a major shift in their traditional power.
    The labour movement needs serious soul-searching in order to survive and grow given the impact of the changes on its membership and finances.
    As the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) celebrates throughout this week it should give priority to the best way forward to make a meaningful impact in these turbulent times.
    The times when most new recruits into the public service automatically signed up for membership is no longer a guarantee.
    The breakaway over the years of a number of special interest groups within the organisation to establish their own trade unions and staff associations also meant a loss of membership and clout.
    The NUPW needs to be frank with both its members and the public by disclosing the number of people it represents. This call is not to jeer the organisation but rather for all citizens to understand not only its numerical strength but more importantly where the support is greatest. The more pressing point is that the organisation needs to change its strategy by employing the use of data and not go on emotions to drive its decisions as it seeks to be in tune with the changing workplace. Militancy and strike action
    alone will not cut it.
    As the largest public sector union, the NUPW must not be reactive to Government decisions such as pension reform but do its research and present its own white papers on major issues affecting the public sector.
    There are many pertinent matters the union should address over the next 12 months to show its members, Government and the wider society its enduring commitment to the country’s development.
    One of the big concerns for the union’s membership will be the rate of inflation and how it is impacting the cost of living. There are, however, other urgent issues.
    The digitisation of the workforce in the public sector, re-tooling and re-training of workers given the uptake of technologically driven solutions along with enhanced customer service are front-burner matters. These issues will affect the union itself. Life-long training is a necessity to fill the skills gap that will arise.
    The use of data in the public sector and how to protect that information is already a major concern that cannot be left only to senior technocrats. The union should make representation on how best to regulate the use and exchange of such material to protect both its members and the general public.
    The NUPW must seek to become more relevant for its membership and build its influence in society. It has already been given the priestly words of wisdom not to waste time.
    The NUPW must seek to become more relevant for its membership and build its influence in society.


    Source: Nation

  29. David Avatar
    David

    NUPW DILEMMA
    President says union must confront ‘sinister blight’
    The National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) is being called on to address the loss of confidence by some members after wellpublicised internal wranglings last year.
    President Kimberley Agard says it is “a sinister blight” which must be confronted and dealt with, “no matter how uncomfortable a subject”.
    Addressing the opening of the NUPW’s 77th annual conference on Thursday night at its Dalkeith, St Michael headquarters, she admitted the island’s largest public sector union was suffering a reduction in membership, though this was not unique to them.
    “We are challenged by the loss of confidence of some of our membership. This may not be something that we want to talk about in public, but we must face this issue head-on. Our membership in some divisions is concerned that as a workers’ union we are not meeting the requirements and standards that they demand of us,” said Agard.
    She added: “They are calling for a greater level of activism than they perceive we are providing. They are calling for a timely satisfaction of their issues and demands. Some of us may think that the loss of confidence is unwarranted, and others may be looking around in search of the person or persons to be blamed.”
    Agard became president after an election shrouded
    in controversy, a part of which was the subject of a court battle.
    “This situation did not arise overnight. In fact, loss of confidence is a sinister blight which develops gradually and sometimes almost imperceptibly. Whatever our view, this loss of confidence among some of our membership, no matter how uncomfortable a subject, must be confronted and addressed.
    “We must move quickly to show our membership what we are worth to them as a workers’ union, and prove our value-added. This does not require confrontation and pugnacious behaviour on our part. Rather, it requires a determined and evident engagement with the Government as advocates for all public servants, such that they feel satisfied that their needs are being pursued and resolved,” she said.
    Agard disclosed that as a result of the loss of membership, the union was challenged financially.
    “This problem is a direct result of the decline in membership, since revenue from dues is directly proportional to a healthy membership roll. The harsh reality confronting us is that we cannot maintain the kind of secretariat we currently have because of the vital need for us to address the changing needs of our demanding membership. This spectre must be grappled with, and we have to make some unpopular but pertinent decisions in the months ahead to ensure our survival,” she said.


    Source: Nation

  30. David Avatar
    David

    NUPW head wants under-40s pension plan
    Two insurance companies have been urged to develop a pension plan for people under 40 years old.
    That encouragement came from president of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW), Kimberley Agard who said Government’s recent decision to change the full pension qualification for public sector workers from 33 years to 40 has left some workers uneasy.
    “I know there is a great level of uncertainty now among the Public Service. I know that NUPW’s will be working feverishly to bring some level of satisfaction to the members in the Public Service but I want to take this opportunity to encourage NUPW Insurance Agent Inc. and Sagicor to seriously look at developing a pension plan for members under 40,” Agard said.
    Decision criticised
    She made those comments recently during the NUPW Insurance Agent Inc. and Sagicor’s Health and Financial Fair and the launch of their new Homeowner’s Scheme at the NUPW’s headquarters in, Dalkeith.
    Since Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley recently announced the increase in qualification, the decision was criticised by NUPW general secretary Richard Green and head of Unity Workers’ Union Caswell Franklyn.
    During the ceremony, Agard said she believed many people who did not have pension plans would be interested.
    “I don’t have a pension plan and I am not alone, so I know there are some persons in my age range who would not have seen the need to secure a comfortable pension. So I think once the rates are attractive, there won’t be a scarcity of persons to join because of what is going on externally,” Agard added.
    Similar points
    Consulting executive with the NUPW Insurance Agent Inc. Tyrone Lowe, made similar points.
    However, he reasoned that was why policies such as the homeowners’
    scheme were important, especially since the workers have been under pressure.
    “There was a time when to have a career in the Public Service was seen as the thing to do because it came with a gratuity and good benefits but now, with the extension, it does look as though that privilege is being eroded to some extent.
    “And when we look at the fact the public sector has faced the brunt with the layoffs, and since there has not been a major increase in income over several years, we have to do our best to keep them happy,” Lowe said.
    (TG)

    Source: Nation

  31. David Avatar
    David

    Changes to pensionable and retirement ages
    Recently the Government announced its intention to increase the period of qualification for pension for new employees in the public service from the current 33 1/3 years to 40 years of service.
    The Government also signalled an intention to change the retirement age from the current 67 years to 70 years old. A number of union representatives have spoken out against the measure since certain public sector workers will now have to wait longer to receive their pensions.
    I consider the idea of working until 70 years old quite daunting. The World Bank estimates the average life expectancy in Barbados is 79.39 years.
    This means an employee who works until 70 years old will on average have nine years in which to enjoy his retirement, provided his health permits.
    This has always been my issue with late retirement ages. Humans are expected to “slave away” during the prime of their lives (unless you are part of the fortunate few who love what they do) and only seek personal enjoyment at the time when the body, due to age, may be less able or willing to do so.
    Promised job security
    In times past, a job within the Public Service was a coveted post as it promised job security and a guaranteed pension. These things are no longer guaranteed. New employees to the public service will need to be employed at a young enough age to work the full 40 years necessary to qualify for maximum pension.
    Furthermore, Government’s intention to convert certain public sector posts into positions held on fixed-term contracts makes job security less certain.
    Furthermore, I have repeatedly stated that the exclusion of Public Service workers from the ambit of the Employment Rights Act means public servants have fewer protections and ease of remedies than those within the private sector. When these matters are considered along with other long-standing issues within the public service, such as delays in payment of salaries and delays in addressing and remedying grievances, then employment within the Public Service is less attractive than it was in previous decades.
    The change in the qualification for pension will have more negative effects on older employees. Persons who are first hired in the Public Service during their mid- to late 30s are likely to reach the retirement age of 70 years before they meet the 40
    years of service to qualify for maximum pension.
    Additionally, those in the private sector may also be affected by the new retirement age.
    Most private sector companies have a mandatory retirement age of 65 years, even though the current pensionable age is 67 years. This creates difficulty for those employees who, having attained the age of 65, are too old to receive severance but too young to receive their pensions.
    Some do not qualify for unemployment benefits if they are in receipt of a private pension due to unemployment or will qualify to receive one within 6 months of unemployment (see regulation 48 (5) of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Benefits Regulations).
    Without proper financial planning or a subscription to a private pension fund, these persons may experience financial difficulties for the two-year period before they start receiving their pensions from NIS. If the retirement age increases to 70 years and private companies maintain a mandatory retirement age of 65 years, then employees may have a period of five years without benefits until they can receive their pensions from NIS.
    Private companies may need to revisit their mandatory retirement ages or, where possible, provide pension plans for their employees that take effect from age 65. Alternatively, employees must be more proactive with planning their retirement.
    Subscribing to a retirement fund that may provide some financial benefit from age 65 may prove prudent.
    Finally, my article last week incorrectly stated that the Employment Rights Tribunal awarded Jason Bent approximately $370 0000 as compensation for unfair dismissal.
    The figure should have been stated as $370 000.

    Michelle M. Russell is an attorney at law with a passion for employment law and labour matters and a social activist.

    Source: Nation

  32. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    @MR article
    If you can do basic addition and subtraction there is no need to read it.
    For those of you are challenged, I have done it for you.

    70-35=35 which is less than 40. (See below)

    “The change in the qualification for pension will have more negative effects on older employees. Persons who are first hired in the Public Service during their mid- to late 30s are likely to reach the retirement age of 70 years before they meet the 40
    years of service to qualify for maximum pension.”

  33. Vincent Codrington Avatar
    Vincent Codrington

    I am finish with this. for several reasons.There is a big gap in the information as to how the gap between the Private sector retirement age and the NIS commencement of pensions age is bridged. The NIS pension was never intended to be a livable income for the middle and upper income brackets. The Public sector needs to insist on a similar scheme for their employees.

  34. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    It is good to know that our honourable government is sympathetic to my proposal to raise the retirement age to 75. 70 years is a good start. I look forward to successive further increases.

    I would not be surprised if our civil servants soon have to slave away until 80, provided their average age at death rises to 80 years and 1 month.

    The best thing is to put the 80-year-old civil servants at customs at the airport or at the harbour. So that our citizens can import cars, planes, vehicle parts and prefabricated houses without paying customs duties. After all, at the age of 80, their eyesight is no longer supposed to be the best.

  35. Vincent Codrington Avatar
    Vincent Codrington

    @ Tron

    I was wondering what was the rationale for these quantum leaps towards elderly abuse. Now I know.

  36. David Avatar
    David

    @Vincent

    Any rough thoughts on a fit for purpose pension plan for the public service?

  37. Vincent Codrington Avatar
    Vincent Codrington

    @ David Bu
    What is wrong with the current system? Why do previous and present administrations have difficulties in forwarding contributions to the NIS?I need basic information and reasons for the change/reform.

  38. David Avatar
    David

    @Vincent

    Good question you ask. Could it be the consolidated fund in these perilous times has contracted a leak?

  39. Vincent Codrington Avatar
    Vincent Codrington

    @ David BU at 7:52 AM
    “In these perilous times”,it is natural for economies to contract along with their components. The lock-downs, local and abroad ,shut down economies.(partially). If there is reduced economic activity,there will be reduced spending and incomes,that lead to low tax revenues. This is expected to be temporary. The purpose of borrowing was to assist in maintaining liquidity in the system and assisting those more severely affected by the contraction. If as you surmise that pensions could not be paid ,then you have a problem of financial management which could have worsened the problem. But I doubt it. I would need to see the data.It is a matter of priority.
    My general response to the question posed at caption was to continue to pay pensions out of the Consolidated Fund. GoB needs to lead by example. Private Corporations pay their portion of agreed pensions out of income. Segregation of Funds into an investment portfolio ,hoping that the yields therefrom can pay pensions is a mathematical impossibility.Pension schemes are more effective in a “pay as you go system”. Some what similar to an Insurance Company. Current premia pay current insurance pay outs.
    So hence my question: Are these reforms based on actuarial computations? What are the assumptions in the model used? Are they reasonable?

  40. David Avatar
    David

    Thanks Vincent, the issue of unfunded public service pension preceded Covid 19 didn’t it?

  41. Vincent Codrington Avatar
    Vincent Codrington

    David Bu at 11: 21 AM

    I am not too sure what you mean by unfunded. Is there not a line item in the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the payment of projected pensions? Is there not a line item for GoB contributions to NIS?. I do not have recent copies of the Estimates and Expenditure but they should be recorded there in.

  42. David Avatar
    David

    @Vincent

    Page 5 of the attached report should elucidate.

    https://www.oecd.org/finance/private-pensions/47827915.pdf

  43. David Avatar
    David

    Another interesting link.

    Unfair practices | Barbados Advocate

    https://www.barbadosadvocate.com/news/unfair-practices

  44. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    @David
    earlier @VC objected to my use of ‘unfunded’ and he is correct. They are budgeted annually, as a pay-as-you-go expense to the Consolidated account (fund). So they are funded annually vs unfunded. Unfunded as used, only implies there is no separate funding mechanism.
    Naturally as people have lived longer, this means the cost of public pensions also grows. And led to the not-so-funny quip, when it was discovered the last GoB was directing NIS deductions from public employees, not to the NIS but to the public coffers, this was taking from one pension to pay another pension? Also why, no public service pensioner or soon to be pensioner, wants this liability (their benefit) rolled into the NIS. It is advantageous to keep it as a current annual liability, and separate from the NIS.
    I will let @Tron explain the effects of a 25% cut in the size of the public service…

  45. David Avatar
    David

    @NO

    Unfunded was used loosely to infer there is no segregated fund.

  46. David Avatar
    David

    We know supporters of the status quo will make the point that government is the bank account of last resort so what does it matter:

  47. David Avatar
    David

    Cops: Excuse us

    Association wants police made exempt from new pension rule
    PRESIDENT OF THE POLICE ASSOCIATION Mervin Grace is calling for police officers to be the exception to Government’s pension reform, which has adjusted the qualification period for public officers from 33-and-a-third years to 40 years.
    Grace warns that the measure runs the risk of having too many old lawmen on the force who may be unable to keep up with younger criminals.
    Instead, the association is proposing a similar arrangement to that of the Barbados Defence Force, where the soldiers can retire with full benefits after 25 years.
    Grace said the matter was under consideration before by a previous administration, but it never materialised, “as some felt that it could lead to a brain drain of the force.”
    “You have senior police out here now who are getting down in age and still on the beat. Instead of trying to get younger people into the force, you have a bunch of old
    geriatrics running behind young boys with guns.
    “This is one of the major concerns of officers because at the end of the day we should be able to retire early,” said Grace, who raised the concern to Attorney General Dale Marshall during the Barbados Police Service’s Annual Grand Conference yesterday.
    He further contended: “When it was at 33 and a third years, that was already bad and to raise it now where you cannot get your benefits until after 40 years is even worse.
    “An exception should be made because we are special when one considers the work that we do. We are totally different from the rest of the Government service. No job on this island is mentioned in the Constitution except the police because we are separate and distinct, and we need to have this addressed.”
    In response, Marshall said there was merit in Grace’s argument for separate retirement age for officers. He gave the assurance that he would make the case for officers to the Prime Minister’s office.
    “In the particular case of the police officers, this issue of pension reform is one that is still being worked out in the Prime Minister’s Office. The fact is that we do have to make a change in relation to the receipt of pensions, but I am happy on your behalf to make a presentation so that the issues can be dealt with, not in terms of an informal dialogue, but from a principled position.
    “I, too, agree with you that the matter of how and when police officers work is of tremendous significance,” said Marshall He added: “It is something that we are willing to put back on the table. Like you, we cannot see police officers at an advanced age having to do some of the things that they do now because their health profile does not allow it.
    “At my age I am not sure if my knees are going to work when I wake up in the morning and I imagine that there are a few of
    you in here who have similar issues.
    “I think that we can’t just limit the discussion, but we think that there is significant benefit to considering a different retirement age for police officers and that would require the consideration of different pension opportunities.” (CLM)

    Source: Nation

  48. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    There is a lot of merit in what is stated, but other groups may also present a persuasive argument. Have to be careful in carving out exceptions. I’m

  49. Vincent Codrington Avatar
    Vincent Codrington

    It seems to me that we already have exceptions in retirement ages in the Public Service. There are precedents outlined in the above post. If we are guided by the principle of Equity rather than equality, the police and any other GOB employee organization can put in proposals.
    A society that cares about its members should give a willing ear and an open mind.

  50. David Avatar
    David

    @Vincent

    You agree that considerations may change based on externalities (to borrow a word from the lexicon of your profession? Can the government afford the many pension plans? Is it a sustainable approach to take?

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