Pressure from Pensions Division

Now normally, when one is about to retire, you lodge your papers with Pensions Division at least six months in advance of the actual retirement date. But as I am currently becoming aware, it does not matter how early your papers are lodged, it seems that staff of all departments that has to deal with you are on a serious “snail diet” because it takes an average of one year to get your gratuity and pension, (if your papers are in order) if not, your guess is as good as mine.

Now before I went on pre-retirement leave, about six months before actual retirement, I was advised by my street wise friends in Port-of-Spain that I would undergo much torment, stress and mental torture to access my benefits, if I did seek out “inside assistance.”

I chose not to go that way, because I felt that my papers were in early enough and that the advice given was an exception, and not the norm, how wrong and na?ve I was.

I am currently becoming aware. It is now almost ten months since my papers were lodged and my pension was due January 6. I was advised on May 16 that I have not even got past first base as yet. Around the last week of April, I went to enquire as to the progress/non progress of my benefits. I got angry with the non caring attitude of staff and raised my voice. I was admonished by a member of staff from inside, who told me that I should not make any noise because they worked on my benefits and it was in the Accounts Unit, so I should check back in three weeks. At the expiration of the three weeks, I called and was told that a mistake was made, and that my documents were still lodged in Audit.

I am totally fed up with this runaround, my little savings is in a critical condition, because I had Open Heart Surgery in 2004 and have to buy certain drugs every month. I am also overdue for an annual check-up.

This question may sound ridiculous, but in the present circumstances, seems relevant. Does the Pensions Division have some kind of pact or agreement with the State to frustrate and torture retirees, so that they may die of stress before they can collect their benefits?