First law: 1970 (provident fund).
Current law: 1978 (National Insurance Act).
Type of program: Social insurance system.
Exchange rate: U.S.$1.00 equals 2.70 East Caribbean (E.C.) dollars.
Employed persons or apprentices between ages 16-65.
Exclusions: Civil servants.
Insured person: 5% of earnings.
Employer: 5% of payroll.
Government: None.
Maximum earnings for contribution purposes: E.C.$36,000 per year.
Old-age pension: Age 60 and 10 years' contributions; retirement necessary. Old-age grant: Age 60, lacking sufficient contributions for old-age pension.
Disability pension: Under pensionable age, minimum 5 years of contributions.
Disability grant: Disabled, under 5 years of contributions.
Survivor pension: Fully insured or pensioner at death, widow over 55 or caring for dependent children (For widow under 55, 1 year's pension if no dependent children).
Survivor grant: Widow of worker not fully insured.
Old-age pension: 40% of average covered earnings in highest 3 of last 10 years, plus 0.1% of average covered earnings for each month of contribution over 120.
Old-age grant: Refund of contributions with interest, plus 7.5% of average covered earnings for each year of contribution.
Disability pension: 40% of average covered earnings in highest 3 of last 10 years. Payable after sickness benefit exhausted.
Disability grant: Lump sum refund of all contributions.
Survivor pension: 75% of old-age or disability benefit paid or payable to insured, payable to widow aged 55 (under age 55 if disabled or caring for minor children; without children, 1 year's benefits) or dependent widower.
Orphans: 25% of insured's pension (50% if full orphan), payable to dependent child under age 16 (18 if full time student).
Maximum benefit: 100% of pension of insured.
Funeral grant: Expenses up to E.C.$1,500.
Prime Minister's Office, general supervision.
National Insurance Board, administration of program.
First and current law: 1978.
Type of program: Social insurance system. Cash benefits only.
Same as for old age, disability, death.
Insured person: See pension contribution above.
Employer: Same.
Government: Same.
Maximum earnings for contribution purposes: E.C.$36,000 per year.
Cash sickness benefits: Engaged in covered employment on day prior to illness, 6 months contribution to program including 2 of last 4 months preceding illness.
Cash maternity benefits: 7 months' contribution in 10 months immediately preceding claim.
Maternity grant: Payable to women whose husbands have contributed at least 7 months and to women receiving cash maternity benefits.
Sickness benefit: 65% of average salary in last 2 months.
Payable after 3-day waiting period for up to 26 weeks.
Maternity benefit: 65% of average salary in last 7 months.
Payable for 3 months beginning 1 month before the month of confinement.
Maternity grant: E.C.$450, plus E.C.$30 towards medical costs.
Medical benefits: Enabling legislation exists. Specifics to be prescribed by future regulations.
Prime Minister's Office, general supervision.
National Insurance Board, administration of program.
First law: 1964 (employer liability).
Current law: 1978 (social insurance).
Type of program: Social insurance system.
Same as for Old Age, Disability, Death.
Insured person: See pension contribution, above.
Employer: Same.
Government: Same.
Maximum earnings for contribution purposes: E.C.$36,000 per year.
Work-injury benefits: No minimum qualifying period.
Temporary disability benefit: 65% of wages.
Payable from day of injury until recovery, for up to 52 weeks.
Covers all medical expenses.
Permanent disability benefit: 65% of covered earnings. Prorated if under 100 percent disabled.
Medical benefits: All medical expenses, including specialist care abroad if necessary.
Survivor benefit: To be prescribed by future regulations.
Funeral grant: Expenses up to E.C.$1,500.
Prime Minister's Office, general supervision.
National Insurance Board, administration of program.