SSB launches amnesty for delinquent contributors
The Social Security Board (SSB) has announced the introduction of a six-month Penalty Amnesty Programme beginning July 1, offering employers, self-employed persons and voluntary contributors a final opportunity to settle outstanding Social Security and National Health Insurance (NHI) contributions without incurring surcharges and penalties.
The programme, which will run until December 31, 2026, is aimed at helping contributors regularise their accounts while strengthening the territory’s social protection system. Under the initiative, eligible employers can clear outstanding principal balances in full or, where approved by the Board, enter into structured payment arrangements.
According to the SSB, the programme forms part of a broader effort to improve compliance while ensuring workers remain protected and retain access to benefits and healthcare services. SSB Managing Director Lorie Freeman said the initiative is designed to provide a supportive pathway for employers and other contributors to bring their accounts into good standing.
“This programme provides an opportunity for employers to regularise their accounts within a structured and supportive framework. Our goal is to ensure that employees have uninterrupted access to benefits and healthcare, while making compliance more accessible for defaulters,” Freeman stated.
She also stressed that the amnesty will be a one-time opportunity and urged eligible contributors not to delay. “It is important to be clear that this programme will not be repeated. Stricter compliance and enforcement measures will take effect from January 2027,” Freeman said.
The SSB warned that once the programme ends on December 31, contributors who do not participate — or who fail to comply with the programme’s conditions — will no longer have access to penalty relief and could face full statutory enforcement measures. The Board said encouraging contributors to address historic arrears will help ensure the long-term sustainability of Social Security and NHI programmes while promoting fairness for employers and employees who have consistently met their obligations.
The non-payment of Social Security and NHI contributions has been a longstanding challenge in the BVI, affecting both employees and employers. Workers often encounter difficulties accessing benefits such as healthcare coverage when contributions are not properly remitted, while delinquent businesses often find themselves ineligible for government grants, assistance programmes and other forms of public support that require applicants to be in good standing with statutory obligations.
Persons seeking information about eligibility or participation in the Penalty Amnesty Programme can contact the Social Security Board at 852-7857.
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IS THIS ANOTHER CHARADE ? OR THESE WANNABE ARISTOCRATS FINALLY FOUND THEIR BALLZ ? UNCLE ANDY UMAND COUSIN VINNIE USED MONEY GRAM TO EXPLOIT OUR CARIBBEAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS, WHO WE LABEL ( ISLAND PEOPLE ) / BUT ALLOWED THEIR EVIL MINDS TO IGNORE THE ATROCITIES OF THE EMPLOYERS ON THEIR EMPLOYEES TO CONTINUE UNTOUCHED YEAR AFTER YEAR AND ITS BUSINESS AS USUAL , AND NOW THEY ACTING WITH LENIENCY TO THESE PREDATORS WHO WAS DOING THIS SH*TTY BUSINESS TO HUMAN BEINGS AND EVEN THEIR OWN GOVERNMENT ARE BEING RIPPED OFF / SO WE HAVE TO WONDER WHATS REALLY GOING BEHIND THE SCENES ( SEEING IS BELIEVING ■ AND WE WANT THOSE WHO HAS BEEN DOING IT , TO BE EXPOSED , WE WANT THEIR NAMES AND PHOTOS * TRANSPARENCY * NOT HYPOCRISY
The amnesty is a slap in the face to those of us who have paid what the law requires us to do on time.
Those businesses who have broken their legal requirements should be named and shamed. After all, I would not want to do business with a law-breaker, either buying goods and services from them, or having them as a customer (since they might fail to pay me).
In general, this society fails to face problems and law-breaking head on, which enables the less scrupulous among us to flout the law and profit themselves. This has to change, otherwise the gravy train we have enjoyed for a generation will stop and we will be left wallowing in the mire.
And going forward employees should be protectd. If companies dont pay retract Trade Licence and stop access to the owners to NHI SS money.
Itnis ridiculous employess are penalised when they have actually paid the money because employer taken itnbut dont pay it.
What a foolish system.
Employers shouldnalso be prosecutlted for fraud and theft.
Their names should be placed on a wall of shame for everyone to see. They should not be allowed to owe more than 3 months contributions. Absolute nonsense!
It was reported recently that there were 3000 deliquent businesses not paying taxes. Tax evaision is a criminal offence in most countries.