Social Security catering to the dead more than the living — Walwyn
Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn has criticised the Social Security Board for the meagre benefits provided to residents, arguing that the system appears to prioritise the dead over those still alive and in need of financial assistance.
During the recent budget debate in the House of Assembly, Walwyn slammed the current structure of the Social Security scheme.
“People are getting $200 or $300 in their pensions when the month end comes,” Walwyn said. “Look at the legislation and improve it so that people can get a better payout and live a little better while they are alive.”
Walwyn highlighted a serious contradiction within the system, pointing out that beneficiaries receive significantly more financial support upon death than during their lifetime. “When you are dead, you get a grant of… $3,000 towards a funeral. But you can’t get that when you are alive to buy food,” he stated. “You’ve got to be dead first to get it.”
He drew a parallel between the dead and persons seeking help at district offices across the territory. He argued that elected officials feel powerless to help residents desperately seeking aid, yet they get approval to purchase wreaths to comfort the bereaved.
“When they are dead, we go out and buy a wreath – and there is no problem with buying the wreath,” he said. “Something can’t tell us something is wrong with the way we do things. We look as if we are catering for the dead and not for the living.”
The former Education Minister condemned the lack of urgency in addressing the issue, urging the government to amend the Social Security Act to better support seniors and other beneficiaries. He called on the Minister of Health and Social Development to take immediate action.
Walwyn’s remarks come amid growing concerns about the cost of living in the BVI, which he said is placing unbearable pressure on families and small businesses. The veteran legislator painted a stark picture of the territory’s economy, describing it as being “flat on its back.”
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Wow $3k for a funeral but some seniors receive less than that for their annual age benefit. The implication appears to be that living social security beneficiaries will starve to death but have a splendid funeral.
Facts
Tell them again. All they can say is you are an island man born in Tortola!!
We still do not want him as Premier
The actual question for persons being paid $300 per month, is how much did they contribute to SSB and for how long? The benefit payment is based on the salary earned and the contribution. The system is premised, to an extent, on getting out what you put in. Based on income/contributions, some seniors actually receive a whole lot more than $300 per month. Whether it is sufficient in today’s day and age with cost of living, I agree is a whole other question. Importantly, however, the Hon. Member of the HoA neglected to mention that the 3k funeral grant is a one off payment that seniors (and all persons actually) are eligible for IN ADDITION to the old age pension. Therefore, if pension monthly payment is $300 per month, the math would equate to $3,600.00 per year i.e. more than the funeral grant in just one year.
If a senior starts receiving an old age pension at 65 and lives until age 75 @ $300 per month, that pensioner will receive $36,000 over the 10 year period and will ALSO receive the funeral grant. The system is not perfect and could be better but the sound-bites are a little misleading.
Hate on the Rastafarians when they been asking ” Why is a man respected when he is dead…shouldn’t that respect be paid to the living instead. You’ll always hear people say “I must die and go to heaven one day” storing up wealth ignoring their health.Seeking for salvation in corrupted meditation but a tree is known by its fruit there is no life in lies its all in the truth.” Until we begin to realize that we been bamboozled we will continue to respect the dead and hate the living because we have created a culture of death where funerals are the most frequent social events.How long must we continue with the folly living and who is responsible for making the necessary changes the living or the dead.
You receive base on your contributions you cant expect to pay $60.00 dollars and get back $600.00 at the end of month
What is $60 in the 80s and 90s valued today? We must align with inflation and therefore increased cost of living but not SS? 300 or 400 might have done something when our parents were contributing but that can’t do anything for them today.
SSB is a savings pot – generally it pays back what you put in over 4 years which is an incredible pension. What you get out matches what you put in max $1800 a month. As our Greedy Ministers failed over 50 years to invest any of the income generated from financial services/tourisms seems they are all turning their attention to SSB as the only pot left to rob.
The $3,000 death benefit is not paid out to everyone equally. I know of many whose survivors have received far less than this amount and others who have received the actual amount. It has to do with knowing someone who works in the SSB office or the Govt.
Social security is for the rest of our lives. Wasn’t this jak A$$ in the HOA for eight years.