The National Insurance Services (NIS) honored more than 200 pensioners from across Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) when it hosted a Pensioners Appreciation & Health Day at its Kingstown Headquarters on Friday, December 1st.
Chairman of the NIS Board, Mr. Lennox Bowman, expressed gratitude towards the pensioners for helping to strengthen the social security system and assisting with the overall development of SVG. He announced that the NIS will soon launch an organization to provide access to a wide range of services for pensioners.
Featured speaker, Director of the NIS, Mr. Stewart Haynes said the day was being held to show appreciation for the work pensioners have done in fortifying the NIS and contributing to the development of SVG. He said the NIS is a fundamental pillar of the Vincentian society, as it is a safety net to many persons. Mr. Haynes said the NIS provides pension to 9,349 persons, in funeral grants, sickness, maternity, invalidity, survivor’s and employment injury and pension benefits, which speaks to the financial impact the NIS has on many lives. The Director said in 2022, the NIS paid out $75 million and the estimated pension payout for 2023 is $80 million.
