NIS back pay for retirees?

THE EDITOR: Since retired public officers and other senior citizens who earn more than $5,000 per year have not been paid old age pension for many years now, and since they have been waiting patiently for a long time to receive an increase in National Insurance, it is only fair, reasonable and just that the increase in National Insurance to them should be made retroactive to January 1, 2003, and not effective September 1, 2003.

National Insurance is a contributory scheme while old age pension is not a contributory scheme; and since old age pension was increased from January 1, 2003, National Insurance should also be increased from this date so as to bring both on par with each other, and judging from the meagre National Insurance payments most retired public officers and senior citizens are receiving at the present time and also for a long time now. They should be paid the difference of what they are receiving at the present time and the $1,000 they are to receive as a back pay retroactive January 1, 2003. We have all contributed to building the nation of Trinidad and Tobago, and this most deserving back pay would have no significant strain on the finances of the National Insurance Board to which they have contributed.

ALDWIN E BREBNOR
Retired Public Officer