Pensioners and Unions Sue National Insurance Board Over Old-Age Pension Arrears

Christopher Ram and other pensioners say the National Insurance Board has not raised the minimum old-age pension in line with NIS Benefit Regulations, which require it to stay at least 50% of the Public Service minimum wage. The writer says the wage has increased since 2021 but the pension has not, and urges the board to fix the matter without going to court.

Attorney-at-law Christopher Ram, pensioner Kalicharan Heera and three unions have gone to the High Court to force the National Insurance Board to pay minimum old-age pensions at 50% of the Public Service minimum wage, as required by law, and to cover arrears since 2021. They say pensioners are being underpaid by $8,098 a month, with some owed about $510,300 each.

Christopher Ram, a pensioner and three trade unions have taken the National Insurance Board to the High Court, seeking to force payment of the statutory minimum old-age pension at 50% of the Public Service minimum wage and recover arrears since January 2021. They say minimum pensioners may be owed about $510,300 each because payments have not kept pace with wage increases, with the case likely affecting many Guyanese retirees.