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<h1>Social Security Programs Throughout the World: The Americas, 2005</h1>
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<h1>Barbados</h1>
<div class="exchangeRate">Exchange rate: US$1.00 equals 2.02 Barbadian dollars (B$).</div>
<h2>Old Age, Disability, and Survivors</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First law:</span> 1937 (social assistance).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Current law:</span> 1966 (social insurance), with 2002 amendment.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social insurance and social assistance system.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Social insurance:</span> All employed persons, public-sector employees, and the self-employed aged&nbsp;16 to 64.</p>
<p>Exclusions: Unpaid family labor.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Social assistance:</span> Residents aged&nbsp;65 or older; aged&nbsp;18 or older and incapable of work because of defective eyesight or serious hearing and speech problems.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<h4>Social insurance</h4>
<p><span class="h5">Insured person:</span> 7.43% to 8.25% of earnings.</p>
<p>The minimum earnings for contribution purposes are B$21 a week for employees paid weekly or B$91 a month for employees paid monthly.</p>
<p>The maximum earnings for contribution and benefit purposes are B$736 a week for employees paid weekly or B$3,190 a month for employees paid monthly.</p>
<p>The insured's contributions also finance sickness and maternity benefits and work injury benefits.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Self-employed person:</span> 14.5% of quarterly earnings.</p>
<p>The minimum annual earnings for contribution purposes are B$1,092.</p>
<p>The self-employed person's contributions also finance sickness and maternity benefits and work injury benefits.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Employer:</span> 7.43% to 9% of payroll.</p>
<p>The minimum earnings for contribution purposes are B$21 a week for employees paid weekly or B$91 a month for employees paid monthly.</p>
<p>The maximum earnings for contribution and benefit purposes are B$736 a week for employees paid weekly or B$3,190 a month for employees paid monthly.</p>
<p>The employer's contributions also finance sickness and maternity benefits and work injury benefits.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Government:</span> None; contributes as an employer.</p>
<h4>Social assistance</h4>
<p><span class="h5">Insured person:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Self-employed person:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Employer:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Government:</span> Total cost.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<h4>Social insurance</h4>
<p><span class="h5">Old-age pension:</span> Age&nbsp;65.5 with 500&nbsp;weeks of contributions, including at least 150&nbsp;weeks of paid contributions.</p>
<p>Early pension: Age&nbsp;62 and no longer employed or self-employed.</p>
<p>Deferred pension: The pension may be deferred until age&nbsp;70.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Old-age grant:</span> Age&nbsp;65.5 with at least 50 but not more than 499&nbsp;contributions.</p>
<p>Old-age benefits are payable abroad.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Disability pension:</span> Younger than age&nbsp;65, with at least 150&nbsp;weeks of contributions, and incapable of any work. The degree of incapacity for work is assessed periodically by a National Insurance Office doctor.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Disability grant:</span> Younger than age&nbsp;65, with at least 50 but not more than 149&nbsp;contributions, and incapable of any work. The degree of incapacity for work is assessed periodically by a National Insurance Office doctor.</p>
<p>Disability benefits are not payable abroad.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Survivor pension:</span> The deceased had at least 150&nbsp;weeks of paid contributions.</p>
<p>Eligible survivors are a <span class="nobr">widow(er)</span> and children.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Funeral grant:</span> The deceased had at least 50&nbsp;weeks of paid contributions.</p>
<p>Survivor benefits are payable abroad.</p>
<h4>Social assistance</h4>
<p><span class="h5">Noncontributory old-age pension:</span> Age&nbsp;65, satisfies the residency conditions, and does not meet the qualifying conditions for a social insurance pension.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Noncontributory disability pension (income-tested):</span> Aged&nbsp;18 or older, satisfies the residency conditions, is assessed as incapable of work as the result of being certified as blind or severe hearing and speech problems, and earns less than B$36 a week.</p>
<h3>Old-Age Benefits</h3>
<h4>Social insurance</h4>
<p><span class="h5">Old-age pension:</span> The pension is equal to 40% of average insurable earnings, plus 1% of earnings for each <span class="nobr">50-week</span> period of contributions exceeding 500&nbsp;weeks.</p>
<p>Average earnings are based on earnings in the best 5&nbsp;years in the last 15&nbsp;years; if the number of years worked is less than 5&nbsp;years, the average is based on total earnings.</p>
<p>The maximum earnings for benefit calculation purposes are B$736 a week for employees paid weekly or B$3,190 a month for employees paid monthly.</p>
<p>The minimum weekly pension is B$110.</p>
<p>The maximum pension is equal to 60% of average insurable earnings.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually according to changes in the cost of living.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Old-age grant:</span> A lump sum equal to 6&nbsp;weeks' earnings for each <span class="nobr">50-week</span> period of contributions.</p>
<h4>Social assistance</h4>
<p><span class="h5">Noncontributory old-age pension:</span> The minimum weekly pension is B$90.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually according to changes in the cost of living.</p>
<h3>Permanent Disability Benefits</h3>
<h4>Social insurance</h4>
<p><span class="h5">Disability pension:</span> The pension is equal to 40% of average annual insurable earnings, plus 1% of earnings for each <span class="nobr">50-week</span> period of contributions exceeding 500&nbsp;weeks.</p>
<p>Average earnings are based on earnings in the best 5&nbsp;years in the last 15&nbsp;years; if the number of years worked is less than 5&nbsp;years, the average is based on total earnings.</p>
<p>The maximum earnings for benefit calculation purposes are B$736 a week for employees paid weekly or B$3,190 a month for employees paid monthly.</p>
<p>The minimum weekly pension is B$110.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually according to changes in the cost of living.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Disability grant:</span> A lump sum equal to 6&nbsp;weeks' average insurable earnings for each <span class="nobr">50-week</span> period of paid or credited contributions.</p>
<h4>Social assistance</h4>
<p><span class="h5">Noncontributory disability pension (income-tested):</span> The minimum weekly pension is B$90.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually according to changes in the cost of living.</p>
<h3>Survivor Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Survivor pension:</span> The pension is equal to 50% of the pension paid or payable to the deceased if the widow(er) is aged&nbsp;50 or older and was married to the deceased for at least 3&nbsp;years. A limited pension is paid for 12&nbsp;months to a <span class="nobr">widow(er)</span> younger than age&nbsp;50. The pension is paid to a disabled <span class="nobr">widow(er)</span> younger than age&nbsp;50 for the duration of the disability.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Orphan's pension:</span> Each child younger than age&nbsp;16 (age&nbsp;21 if student, no limit if disabled before age&nbsp;16) receives 16.6% of the deceased's pension; 33.3% if a full orphan or disabled.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Funeral grant:</span> B$1,400 is payable to the person who pays for the funeral of the insured or of the insured's spouse.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually according to changes in the cost of living.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Ministry of Labor is responsible for policy.</p>
<p>Directed by a tripartite board, the National Insurance Office (http://www.nis.gov.bb) administers the program.</p>
<h2>Sickness and Maternity</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First and current law:</span> 1966 (social insurance).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social insurance system. Cash benefits only.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p>All employed persons, public-sector employees, and the self-employed aged&nbsp;16 to 64.</p>
<p>Exclusions: Unpaid family labor. Permanent government employees are not covered for cash sickness benefits.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors, above.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors, above.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors, above.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors, above.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Cash sickness benefits:</span> Must have 13&nbsp;weeks of insurance coverage, including 7&nbsp;weeks of paid contributions in the last quarter but one before the quarter in which the onset of incapacity began, and be employed immediately before the onset of incapacity; at least 39 paid or credited contributions in the four consecutive quarters ending with the last quarter but one before the quarter of the onset of incapacity.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Cash maternity benefits:</span> Employed women must have 26&nbsp;weeks of insurance coverage, including 16&nbsp;weeks of paid contributions in the two consecutive quarters ending with the last quarter but one before the quarter in which the benefit is paid.</p>
<p>Self-employed women must have at least 39&nbsp;weeks of contributions in the four consecutive quarters ending with the last quarter but one before the quarter in which the benefit is paid; 16&nbsp;weeks of paid contributions in the two consecutive quarters ending with the last quarter but one before the quarter in which the benefit is paid.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Maternity grant:</span> Payable for a woman who is not insured or who fails to meet the coverage requirements for cash maternity benefits but whose spouse does meet the requirements.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Funeral grant:</span> Payable for the death of an insured person who was receiving, or was entitled to receive, sickness benefits or maternity benefits.</p>
<h3>Sickness and Maternity Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Sickness benefit:</span> The benefit is equal to 66.6% of average insurable weekly earnings and is payable after a <span class="nobr">3-day</span> waiting period for up to 26&nbsp;weeks; may be extended to 52&nbsp;weeks if the insured has paid 150&nbsp;weeks of contributions, including 75&nbsp;contributions paid or credited in the 3&nbsp;years before the year of onset. The waiting period is waived if the illness lasts 21 or more days.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Maternity benefit:</span> The benefit is equal to 100% of average insurable weekly earnings and is payable for up to 6&nbsp;weeks before and 6&nbsp;weeks after the expected date of childbirth.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Funeral grant:</span> B$1,400 is payable to the person who pays for the cost of the funeral.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Maternity grant:</span> A lump sum of B$800.</p>
<h3>Workers' Medical Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Medical benefits:</span> No statutory benefits are provided.</p>
<p>Free medical care is available in public hospitals and health centers.</p>
<h3>Dependents' Medical Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Medical benefits for dependents:</span> No statutory benefits are provided.</p>
<p>Free medical care is available in public hospitals and health centers.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Ministry of Labor is responsible for policy.</p>
<p>Directed by a tripartite board, the National Insurance Office (http://www.nis.gov.bb) administers the program.</p>
<h2>Work Injury</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First law:</span> 1916 (workmen's compensation).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Current law:</span> 1966 (social insurance).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social insurance system.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p>All employed persons, public-sector employees, and some categories of fishermen aged&nbsp;16 to 64.</p>
<p>Exclusions: Self-employed persons and unpaid family labor.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors, above.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> Not applicable.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors, above.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> None; contributes as an employer.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Work injury benefits:</span> There is no minimum qualifying period.</p>
<h3>Temporary Disability Benefits</h3>
<p>The benefit is equal to 90% of average insurable earnings and is payable after a <span class="nobr">3-day</span> waiting period for up to 52&nbsp;weeks. The waiting period is waived if the disability lasts for 21 or more days.</p>
<h3>Permanent Disability Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Permanent disability pension:</span> For a total disability, the pension is equal to 90% of the insured's average earnings.</p>
<p>The degree of disability is assessed by the insured's doctor and may be reviewed by National Insurance Office doctors.</p>
<p>Constant-attendance supplement: Equal to 50% of the pension.</p>
<p>Partial disability: A percentage of the full pension is paid according to the assessed degree of disability.</p>
<p>A lump sum is paid if the assessed degree of disability is less than 30%.</p>
<h3>Workers' Medical Benefits</h3>
<p>Benefits include reimbursement of expenses for medical, surgical, dental, and hospital treatment; nursing care; medicines; appliances; and transportation.</p>
<h3>Survivor Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Survivor pension:</span> 50% of the deceased's temporary disability benefit is payable to a dependent spouse.</p>
<p>The pension ceases on remarriage or cohabitation.</p>
<p>Remarriage settlement: A lump sum equal to a year's pension is paid.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Orphan's pension:</span> Each child younger than age&nbsp;16 receives 16.6% of the deceased's temporary disability benefit; 33.3% if a full orphan or disabled. There is no age limit for a disabled orphan.</p>
<p>The maximum survivor pension is 100% of the deceased's temporary disability benefit.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Funeral grant:</span> B$1,400 is payable to the person who pays for the insured's funeral.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Ministry of Labor is responsible for policy.</p>
<p>Directed by a tripartite board, the National Insurance Office (http://www.nis.gov.bb) administers the program.</p>
<h2>Unemployment</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First and current law:</span> 1981 (social insurance).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social insurance system.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p>Employees aged&nbsp;16 to 64.</p>
<p>Exclusions: Self-employed persons, family labor, and permanent government employees.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> 0.75% of earnings.</p>
<p>The minimum earnings for contribution purposes are B$21 a week for employees paid weekly or B$91 a month for employees paid monthly.</p>
<p>The maximum earnings for contribution and benefit purposes are B$736 a week for employees paid weekly or B$3,190 a month for employees paid monthly.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> Not applicable.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> 0.75% of payroll.</p>
<p>The minimum earnings for contribution purposes are B$21 a week for employees paid weekly or B$91 a month for employees paid monthly.</p>
<p>The maximum earnings for contribution and benefit purposes are B$736 a week for employees paid weekly or B$3,190 a month for employees paid monthly.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> None; contributes as an employer.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Unemployment benefit:</span> Must be younger than age&nbsp;65 with 52&nbsp;weeks of insurance coverage; at least 20&nbsp;weeks of paid or credited contributions in the three consecutive quarters ending with the last quarter but one before the onset of unemployment; at least 7&nbsp;weeks of paid or credited contributions in the last quarter but one before the onset of unemployment.</p>
<h3>Unemployment Benefits</h3>
<p>The benefit is equal to 60% of the insured's average insurable weekly earnings. The benefit is payable after a <span class="nobr">3-day</span> waiting period for up to 26&nbsp;weeks in any <span class="nobr">52-week</span> period. The waiting period is waived if the insured is unemployed for 21 or more days.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Ministry of Labor is responsible for policy.</p>
<p>Directed by a tripartite board, the National Insurance Office (http://www.nis.gov.bb) administers the program.</p>
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