Solomon Islands

Old Age, Disability, Death

First and current law: 1973 (implemented 1976).
Type of program: Provident fund system.
Exchange rate: U.S.$1.00 equals 4.77 Solomon Islands dollars (SI$).

Coverage

All employed workers aged 14 and older earning at least SI$20 a month or working 6 or more days a month. Unemployed and self-employed aged 16-35 may contribute voluntarily.
Special system for public employees.

Source of Funds

Insured person: 5% of wages.
Employer: 7.5% of payroll.
Government: None.
For death benefit, SI$5 deducted annually from insured's provident fund account.

Qualifying Conditions

Old-age benefit: Age 40 if permanently retired from covered employment; at any age if emigrating permanently. Age 50, regardless of employment. Unemployed may withdraw funds after 3 months of continuous unemployment.
Disability grant: Permanent physical or mental incapacity to work.
Survivor grant: Death of insured before retirement.

Old-Age Benefits

Old-age benefit: Lump sum equal to total employee and employer contributions, plus accumulated interest.

Permanent Disability Benefits

Disability benefit: Lump sum equal to total employee and employer contributions, plus accumulated interest.

Survivor Benefits

Survivor benefit: Lump sum equal to total employee and employer contributions, plus accumulated interest.
Payable to deceased's nominee.
Death benefit: Lump sum of SI$2,500.

Administrative Organization

National Provident Fund Board, an independent 5-member board, administration of program.

Work Injury

First and current law: 1952.
Type of program: Employer liability/compulsory insurance with private carrier.

Coverage

Employed persons, including public employees, earning SI$4,000 a year or less. Exclusion: Casual workers.

Source of Funds

Insured person: None.
Employer: Whole cost.
Government: None.

Qualifying Conditions

Work-injury benefits: No minimum qualifying period.

Temporary Disability Benefits

Temporary disability benefit: 50%-100% of earnings, according to monthly wage. Maximum, SI$160 a month.
Payable from first day if incapacity lasts more than 3 days, until recovery, certification of permanent disability, or death.

Permanent Disability Benefits

Permanent disability benefit: Lump sum of 48 months' earnings.
Maximum SI$9,000.
Partial disability: Lump sum proportionate to degree of incapacity, based on 48 months' earnings.

Workers' Medical Benefits

Medical benefits: Medical care, medicines, and appliances.

Survivor Benefits

Survivor benefit: Lump sum of 36 months' earnings, less any permanent disability benefits paid to deceased. Maximum, SI$9,000.
Apportionment of survivor benefit among survivors determined by courts.
Funeral grant: If no dependent, reasonable burial expenses.
Maximum: SI$30.

Administrative Organization

Labor division, administration of program.

Unemployment

(1981 Employment Act requires employer to pay dismissal indemnity of 2 weeks' wages for each year of employment.)

Please note: This information is more than 4 years old.