247 lines
31 KiB
HTML
247 lines
31 KiB
HTML
<!doctype html>
|
|
<html lang="en" class="no-js">
|
|
<head>
|
|
<meta charset="UTF-8" />
|
|
<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge,chrome=1" />
|
|
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" />
|
|
<meta name="robots" content="noindex">
|
|
<title>Social Security Programs Throughout the World: The Americas, 2017 - Belize</title>
|
|
<meta name="DCTERMS:dateCreated" content="2018-03" />
|
|
<meta name="DCTERMS:contentOffice" content="ORDP:ORES" />
|
|
<meta name="DCTERMS:contentOwner" content="publications@ssa.gov" />
|
|
<meta name="DCTERMS:coderOffice" content="ORDP:ORES:OD" />
|
|
<meta name="DCTERMS:coder" content="op.webmaster@ssa.gov" />
|
|
<meta name="DCTERMS:dateCertified" content="2025-01-01" />
|
|
<meta name="description" content="Social Security Administration Research, Statistics, and Policy Analysis" />
|
|
<meta property="og:site_name" content="Social Security Administration Research, Statistics, and Policy Analysis"/>
|
|
<link rel="stylesheet" href="/policy/styles/doc.css" />
|
|
<link rel="stylesheet" href="/policy/styles/global.css" />
|
|
<!-- SSA INTERNET HEAD SCRIPTS -->
|
|
<script src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-3.7.1.min.js" integrity="sha256-/JqT3SQfawRcv/BIHPThkBvs0OEvtFFmqPF/lYI/Cxo=" crossorigin="anonymous"></script>
|
|
<script src="/framework/js/ssa.internet.head.js"></script>
|
|
|
|
<script>(window.BOOMR_mq=window.BOOMR_mq||[]).push(["addVar",{"rua.upush":"false","rua.cpush":"false","rua.upre":"false","rua.cpre":"false","rua.uprl":"false","rua.cprl":"false","rua.cprf":"false","rua.trans":"SJ-3a3bb884-f513-47e3-a86c-84bab05e21dc","rua.cook":"true","rua.ims":"false","rua.ufprl":"false","rua.cfprl":"false","rua.isuxp":"false","rua.texp":"norulematch","rua.ceh":"false","rua.ueh":"false","rua.ieh.st":"0"}]);</script>
|
|
<script>!function(e){var n="https://s.go-mpulse.net/boomerang/";if("False"=="True")e.BOOMR_config=e.BOOMR_config||{},e.BOOMR_config.PageParams=e.BOOMR_config.PageParams||{},e.BOOMR_config.PageParams.pci=!0,n="https://s2.go-mpulse.net/boomerang/";if(window.BOOMR_API_key="LERZW-HECFS-R8H4E-23UQ7-ERMQB",function(){function e(){if(!o){var e=document.createElement("script");e.id="boomr-scr-as",e.src=window.BOOMR.url,e.async=!0,i.parentNode.appendChild(e),o=!0}}function t(e){o=!0;var n,t,a,r,d=document,O=window;if(window.BOOMR.snippetMethod=e?"if":"i",t=function(e,n){var t=d.createElement("script");t.id=n||"boomr-if-as",t.src=window.BOOMR.url,BOOMR_lstart=(new Date).getTime(),e=e||d.body,e.appendChild(t)},!window.addEventListener&&window.attachEvent&&navigator.userAgent.match(/MSIE [67]\./))return window.BOOMR.snippetMethod="s",void t(i.parentNode,"boomr-async");a=document.createElement("IFRAME"),a.src="about:blank",a.title="",a.role="presentation",a.loading="eager",r=(a.frameElement||a).style,r.width=0,r.height=0,r.border=0,r.display="none",i.parentNode.appendChild(a);try{O=a.contentWindow,d=O.document.open()}catch(_){n=document.domain,a.src="javascript:var d=document.open();d.domain='"+n+"';void(0);",O=a.contentWindow,d=O.document.open()}if(n)d._boomrl=function(){this.domain=n,t()},d.write("<bo"+"dy onload='document._boomrl();'>");else if(O._boomrl=function(){t()},O.addEventListener)O.addEventListener("load",O._boomrl,!1);else if(O.attachEvent)O.attachEvent("onload",O._boomrl);d.close()}function a(e){window.BOOMR_onload=e&&e.timeStamp||(new Date).getTime()}if(!window.BOOMR||!window.BOOMR.version&&!window.BOOMR.snippetExecuted){window.BOOMR=window.BOOMR||{},window.BOOMR.snippetStart=(new Date).getTime(),window.BOOMR.snippetExecuted=!0,window.BOOMR.snippetVersion=12,window.BOOMR.url=n+"LERZW-HECFS-R8H4E-23UQ7-ERMQB";var i=document.currentScript||document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0],o=!1,r=document.createElement("link");if(r.relList&&"function"==typeof r.relList.supports&&r.relList.supports("preload")&&"as"in r)window.BOOMR.snippetMethod="p",r.href=window.BOOMR.url,r.rel="preload",r.as="script",r.addEventListener("load",e),r.addEventListener("error",function(){t(!0)}),setTimeout(function(){if(!o)t(!0)},3e3),BOOMR_lstart=(new Date).getTime(),i.parentNode.appendChild(r);else t(!1);if(window.addEventListener)window.addEventListener("load",a,!1);else if(window.attachEvent)window.attachEvent("onload",a)}}(),"".length>0)if(e&&"performance"in e&&e.performance&&"function"==typeof e.performance.setResourceTimingBufferSize)e.performance.setResourceTimingBufferSize();!function(){if(BOOMR=e.BOOMR||{},BOOMR.plugins=BOOMR.plugins||{},!BOOMR.plugins.AK){var n="false"=="true"?1:0,t="cookiepresent",a="eyd7g6aaiaaamjqacqdfqaaaabt3moub-f-c0571411b-clienttons-s.akamaihd.net",i="false"=="true"?2:1,o={"ak.v":"39","ak.cp":"1204614","ak.ai":parseInt("728289",10),"ak.ol":"0","ak.cr":4,"ak.ipv":6,"ak.proto":"h2","ak.rid":"9551c50","ak.r":19138,"ak.a2":n,"ak.m":"dsca","ak.n":"essl","ak.bpcip":"2607:f378:40:6::","ak.cport":40604,"ak.gh":"23.60.168.61","ak.quicv":"","ak.tlsv":"tls1.3","ak.0rtt":"","ak.0rtt.ed":"","ak.csrc":"-","ak.acc":"","ak.t":"1739995777","ak.ak":"hOBiQwZUYzCg5VSAfCLimQ==KWFD3Tg9QOIIo+46dkLEYWfg+hPuFcDHIeu//iniGK6H3x2F3c8EmQV23Otxv9kG+OFkVxgn4WYonkI5XxOy2cVKWMqtbHMRrMo8yk/FPn3VJUtjqzlqLGjt4iLnBl6fU3ty8grRQuFHDMkT0zrHJK9lLeoFD+A0lvW/ZbBG2pg4p8rkIMpuavcfW2Uj5L8PqISjeMIQDUmBmfyA+xEhpQjI1za9t/Rm2pEauF+83SicHQpuQmCrlGglbGkImbBYhuWpfbtbugVa/q2pEL4s7cYOG0ullb5e43rxlpnnFJlb0qXScgpduaGCMtzGRZIyq01RNx6lzk9x/sx1MjoiiJktgjr6rAX0oxwyf8/NvlLIz6Z7gLHFAN3VbEOWUBiSqvOCs61AQ9fxZVz7lqmI/hzc6I6d01yxK+p6pSIt1cA=","ak.pv":"98","ak.dpoabenc":"","ak.tf":i};if(""!==t)o["ak.ruds"]=t;var r={i:!1,av:function(n){var t="http.initiator";if(n&&(!n[t]||"spa_hard"===n[t]))o["ak.feo"]=void 0!==e.aFeoApplied?1:0,BOOMR.addVar(o)},rv:function(){var e=["ak.bpcip","ak.cport","ak.cr","ak.csrc","ak.gh","ak.ipv","ak.m","ak.n","ak.ol","ak.proto","ak.quicv","ak.tlsv","ak.0rtt","ak.0rtt.ed","ak.r","ak.acc","ak.t","ak.tf"];BOOMR.removeVar(e)}};BOOMR.plugins.AK={akVars:o,akDNSPreFetchDomain:a,init:function(){if(!r.i){var e=BOOMR.subscribe;e("before_beacon",r.av,null,null),e("onbeacon",r.rv,null,null),r.i=!0}return this},is_complete:function(){return!0}}}}()}(window);</script></head>
|
|
<body class="ssptw">
|
|
<article>
|
|
<header>
|
|
<div id="hLogo"><a class="navLogo" href="/policy/index.html">Social Security</a><a class="navSearch" href="https://search.ssa.gov/search?affiliate=ssa">SEARCH</a></div>
|
|
<div id="hRedBar">
|
|
<div id="hDocInfo">
|
|
<h1>Social Security Programs Throughout the World: The Americas, 2017</h1>
|
|
</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
</header>
|
|
<nav>
|
|
<div id="breadcrumbs" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/BreadcrumbList">You are here: <span itemprop="itemListElement" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem"><a href="/" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Social Security Administration</span></a><meta itemprop="position" content="1" /></span> > <span itemprop="itemListElement" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem"><a href="/policy/index.html" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Research, Statistics & Policy Analysis</span></a><meta itemprop="position" content="2" /></span> > <span itemprop="itemListElement" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem"><a href="index.html" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Social Security Programs Throughout the World: The Americas, 2017</span></a><meta itemprop="position" content="3" /></span></div>
|
|
<div id="rspaUtil"><ul><li id="mail"><a class="js-ga-event" href="#" rel="nofollow" data-event="outbound-link" data-event-action="click" data-event-label="email-this">Email</a></li><li id="print"><a href="#" rel="nofollow">Save/Print</a></li></ul></div>
|
|
</nav>
|
|
<div class="innards">
|
|
<h1>Belize</h1>
|
|
<div class="exchangeRate">Exchange rate: <abbr class="spell">US</abbr>$1.00 = 2.00 Belize dollars (B$).</div>
|
|
<h2>Old Age, Disability, and Survivors</h2>
|
|
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">First and current law:</span> 1979 (social security).</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> Employed persons, including public-sector workers, and self-employed persons.</p>
|
|
<p>Exclusions: Casual workers, persons employed for less than eight hours a week, military personnel, employees aged 65 or older, and <span class="nobr">old-age</span> pensioners aged 60 to 64 who return to work.</p>
|
|
<p>Voluntary coverage <span class="nobr">(old-age</span> benefits, survivor benefits, and the funeral grant only) for residents of Belize younger than age 65 who cease to be employed, have paid at least 150 contributions as an employee, and have not previously received an <span class="nobr">old-age</span> or disability pension.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Social assistance:</span> Needy citizens and permanent residents of Belize.</p>
|
|
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Insured person</span></p>
|
|
<p><span class="h5">Social insurance:</span> Weekly contributions vary according to eight wage classes:</p>
|
|
<ul>
|
|
<li>B$0.83 if weekly earnings are less than B$70,</li>
|
|
<li>B$1.35 if B$70 to B$109.99,</li>
|
|
<li>B$1.95 if B$110 to B$139.99,</li>
|
|
<li>B$3.15 if B$140 to B$179.99,</li>
|
|
<li>B$4.75 if B$180 to B$219.99,</li>
|
|
<li>B$6.35 if B$220 to B$259.99,</li>
|
|
<li>B$7.95 if B$260 to B$299.99, and</li>
|
|
<li>B$9.55 if B$300 or greater.</li>
|
|
</ul>
|
|
<p>The insured person's contributions also finance sickness, maternity, and work injury benefits.</p>
|
|
<p>Voluntarily insured persons pay weekly contributions of B$1.76 to B$10.24 for <span class="nobr">old-age</span> benefits, survivor benefits, and the funeral grant. Contributions are based on the best three years of contributions previously paid.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h5">Social assistance:</span> None.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person</span></p>
|
|
<p><span class="h5">Social insurance:</span> 7% of weekly declared income.</p>
|
|
<p>The minimum weekly earnings used to calculate contributions are B$55.</p>
|
|
<p>The maximum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are B$320.</p>
|
|
<p>The self-employed person's contributions also finance sickness, maternity, and work injury benefits.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h5">Social assistance:</span> None.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Employer</span></p>
|
|
<p><span class="h5">Social insurance:</span> Weekly contributions vary according to eight wage classes:</p>
|
|
<ul>
|
|
<li>B$3.57 if weekly earnings are less than B$70,</li>
|
|
<li>B$5.85 if B$70 to B$109.99,</li>
|
|
<li>B$8.45 if B$110 to B$139.99,</li>
|
|
<li>B$9.65 if B$140 to B$179.99,</li>
|
|
<li>B$11.25 if B$180 to B$219.99,</li>
|
|
<li>B$12.85 if B$220 to B$259.99,</li>
|
|
<li>B$14.45 if B$260 to B$299.99, and</li>
|
|
<li>B$16.05 if B$300 or greater.</li>
|
|
</ul>
|
|
<p>The employer's contributions also finance sickness, maternity, and work injury benefits.</p>
|
|
<p>B$2.60 of employer contributions finances work injury benefits for all wage classes of <span class="nobr">old-age</span> pensioners aged 60 to 64 who return to work and employees aged 65 or older.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h5">Social assistance:</span> None.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Government</span></p>
|
|
<p><span class="h5">Social insurance:</span> None; contributes as an employer.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h5">Social assistance:</span> The total cost.</p>
|
|
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Old-age pension (social insurance):</span> Age 65 with at least 500 weeks of paid or credited contributions, including at least 150 weeks of paid contributions.</p>
|
|
<p>Contributions are credited for each complete contributory week the insured received sickness, maternity, disability, temporary work injury benefits, or permanent total (100%) disability work injury benefits.</p>
|
|
<p>Retirement is not necessary.</p>
|
|
<p>Early pension: Age 60 with at least 500 weeks of paid or credited contributions, including at least 150 weeks of paid contributions. Employment must cease until age 65.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Old-age grant (social insurance):</span> Age 60 with at least 26 weeks of paid contributions but does not meet the contribution requirements for a social insurance <span class="nobr">old-age</span> pension.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Noncontributory <span class="nobr">old-age</span> pension (social assistance, means tested):</span> Age 67 (men) or age 65 (women) and assessed as needy.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Disability pension (social insurance):</span> Must be younger than age 60, be incapable of work, and have at least 150 weeks of paid contributions since 1981, at least 110 weeks of paid or credited contributions in the five consecutive years before the year in which the disability began, and at least five weeks of paid or credited contributions in the 13 weeks immediately before the week in which the disability began.</p>
|
|
<p>A medical board assesses the degree of disability.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Disability grant (social insurance):</span> Must be younger than age 60, be incapable of work, and have at least 26 weeks of paid contributions but not meet the contribution requirements for a disability pension.</p>
|
|
<p>A medical board assesses the degree of disability.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Survivor pension (social insurance):</span> The deceased received or was entitled to receive a social insurance <span class="nobr">old-age</span> or disability pension at the time of death.</p>
|
|
<p>Eligible survivors include a widow who was married to the insured for at least three years and is pregnant with or caring for the deceased's child(ren), is aged 50 or older, or is disabled; a widower who was dependent on the deceased for at least three years; a partner who lived with the deceased for at least five consecutive years; children younger than age 16 (age 21 if a <span class="nobr">full-time</span> student; no limit if disabled); and, if there are no other survivors, dependent parents aged 55 or older.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Survivor grant (social insurance):</span> The deceased had at least 26 weeks of paid contributions but did not meet the contribution requirements for a social insurance <span class="nobr">old-age</span> or disability pension.</p>
|
|
<p>Eligible survivors include a widow who was married to the insured for at least three years and is pregnant with or caring for the deceased's child(ren), is aged 50 or older, or is disabled; a widower who was dependent on the deceased for at least three years; a partner who lived with the deceased for at least five consecutive years; children younger than age 16 (age 21 if a <span class="nobr">full-time</span> student; no limit if disabled); and, if there are no other survivors, dependent parents aged 55 or older.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Funeral grant (social insurance):</span> The deceased had at least 50 weeks of paid contributions; at least 150 weeks of paid contributions for the funeral of a spouse or dependent child younger than age 16 (age 21 if a <span class="nobr">full-time</span> student).</p>
|
|
<h3>Old-Age Benefits</h3>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Old-age pension (social insurance):</span> The pension is 30% of the insured's average weekly covered earnings plus 2% of average weekly covered earnings for each <span class="nobr">50-week</span> period of contributions exceeding 500 weeks up to 750 weeks plus 1% of average weekly covered earnings for every <span class="nobr">50-week</span> period of contributions exceeding 750 weeks, up to 60%.</p>
|
|
<p>Average weekly covered earnings are based on the insured's best three years of earnings.</p>
|
|
<p>Early pension: Calculated in the same way as the <span class="nobr">old-age</span> pension. The pension is suspended if the insured returns to work before age 65.</p>
|
|
<p>The minimum weekly pension is B$49.35.</p>
|
|
<p>The maximum weekly pension is B$201.60.</p>
|
|
<p>The pension is paid every four weeks.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Old-age grant (social insurance):</span> A lump sum is paid of six times the insured's average weekly covered earnings multiplied by the number of <span class="nobr">50-week</span> contribution periods, or 2.5 times the sum of the insured's weekly covered earnings divided by the number of weeks of contributions and multiplied by the number of <span class="nobr">50-week</span> contribution periods, whichever is greater.</p>
|
|
<p>Average weekly covered earnings are based on the insured's best three years of earnings.</p>
|
|
<p>The minimum <span class="nobr">old-age</span> grant is B$800.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Noncontributory <span class="nobr">old-age</span> pension (social assistance, means tested):</span> B$100 a month is paid.</p>
|
|
<h3>Permanent Disability Benefits</h3>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Disability pension (social insurance):</span> 30% of the insured's average weekly covered earnings is paid with at least 500 weeks of contributions; 25% with less than 500 weeks of contributions.</p>
|
|
<p>Average weekly covered earnings are based on the insured's best three years of earnings.</p>
|
|
<p>The minimum weekly pension is B$49.35.</p>
|
|
<p>The maximum weekly pension is B$201.60.</p>
|
|
<p>The pension is paid every four weeks.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Disability grant (social insurance):</span> A lump sum is paid of six times the insured's average weekly covered earnings multiplied by the number of <span class="nobr">50-week</span> contribution periods, or 2.5 times the sum of the insured's weekly covered earnings divided by the number of weeks of contributions and multiplied by the number of <span class="nobr">50-week</span> contribution periods, whichever is greater.</p>
|
|
<p>Average weekly covered earnings are based on the insured's best three years of earnings.</p>
|
|
<p>The minimum disability grant is B$800.</p>
|
|
<h3>Survivor Benefits</h3>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Survivor pension (social insurance)</span></p>
|
|
<p><span class="h5">Spouse's pension:</span> 66.7% of the social insurance <span class="nobr">old-age</span> or disability pension the deceased received or was entitled to receive is paid to an eligible <span class="nobr">widow(er).</span></p>
|
|
<p><span class="h5">Orphan's pension:</span> 25% of the social insurance <span class="nobr">old-age</span> or disability pension the deceased received or was entitled to receive is paid to each eligible child; 40% if disabled.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h5">Dependent parent's pension:</span> 40% of the social insurance <span class="nobr">old-age</span> or disability pension the deceased received or was entitled to receive is paid to an eligible dependent parent.</p>
|
|
<p>The minimum weekly survivor pension is B$49.35 and is split among eligible survivors.</p>
|
|
<p>Survivor pensions are paid every four weeks.</p>
|
|
<p>The maximum combined survivor benefit is 100% of the pension the deceased received or was entitled to receive.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Survivor grant (social insurance):</span> A lump sum is paid of six times the sum of the deceased's average weekly covered earnings multiplied by the number of <span class="nobr">50-week</span> contribution periods, or 2.5 times the sum of weekly covered earnings divided by the number of weeks of contributions and multiplied by the number of <span class="nobr">50-week</span> contribution periods, whichever is greater.</p>
|
|
<p>Average weekly covered earnings are based on the deceased's best three years of earnings.</p>
|
|
<p>The minimum survivor grant is B$800.</p>
|
|
<p>Survivor benefits may be paid in addition to <span class="nobr">old-age</span> or disability benefits.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Funeral grant (social insurance):</span> B$1,500 is paid for the insured's death; B$1,000 on the death of a spouse; and B$500 on the death of a dependent child.</p>
|
|
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
|
|
<p>Ministry of Finance (https://www.mof.gov.bz/) provides general supervision.</p>
|
|
<p>Social Security Board (<a href="https://www.socialsecurity.org.bz/">https://www.socialsecurity.org.bz/</a>) administers the program and collects contributions.</p>
|
|
<h2>Sickness and Maternity</h2>
|
|
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">First and current law:</span> 1979 (social security).</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social insurance (cash benefits only) system.</p>
|
|
<p>Note: A 2012 amendment introduced national health insurance. The program was piloted but has not yet been fully implemented.</p>
|
|
<h3>Coverage</h3>
|
|
<p>Employed persons, including public-sector workers, and self-employed persons.</p>
|
|
<p>Exclusions: Casual workers, persons employed for less than eight hours a week, and military personnel.</p>
|
|
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.</p>
|
|
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Cash sickness benefit:</span> Must be currently employed with at least 50 weeks of contributions, including at least five of the 13 weeks before the incapacity began.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Cash maternity benefit:</span> Must have at least 50 weeks of paid contributions and at least 25 weeks of paid or credited contributions of which 20 must be paid in the 39 weeks immediately before the day on which the benefit is to begin.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Maternity grant:</span> Must have at least 50 weeks of paid contributions, including at least 25 weeks in the 50 weeks before the expected date of childbirth. The grant is paid to an insured woman or to an insured man for his wife or common-law wife.</p>
|
|
<h3>Sickness and Maternity Benefits</h3>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Sickness benefit:</span> 80% of the insured's average weekly covered earnings is paid for up to 156 days; thereafter, for an additional 78 days at 60% of average weekly covered earnings. After 234 days, a disability pension may be paid at the discretion of a medical board. The benefit is paid weekly.</p>
|
|
<p>The minimum weekly benefit is B$44.00 for the first 156 days, and B$33 for the remaining 78 days.</p>
|
|
<p>The maximum weekly benefit is B$256.00 for the first 156 days, and B$192 for the remaining 78 days.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Maternity benefit:</span> 80% of the insured's average weekly covered earnings is paid for up to 14 weeks, beginning seven weeks before the expected date of childbirth or the day on which the benefit was claimed. The benefit is paid in two equal parts: one for the period before childbirth, one for the period after childbirth.</p>
|
|
<p>The minimum weekly benefit is B$44.00.</p>
|
|
<p>The maximum weekly benefit is B$256.00.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Maternity grant:</span> A lump sum of B$300 is paid for each child.</p>
|
|
<h3>Workers' Medical Benefits</h3>
|
|
<p>Subsidized medical benefits may be provided through government hospitals and clinics.</p>
|
|
<h3>Dependents' Medical Benefits</h3>
|
|
<p>Medical benefits for dependents are the same as those for the insured.</p>
|
|
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
|
|
<p>Ministry of Finance (https://www.mof.gov.bz/) provides general supervision of cash benefits.</p>
|
|
<p>Social Security Board (<a href="https://www.socialsecurity.org.bz/">http://www.socialsecurity.org.bz/</a>) administers the cash benefits program and collects contributions.</p>
|
|
<p>Ministry of Health (<a href="https://www.health.gov.bz/">http://health.gov.bz/</a>) provides general supervision and delivers medical services through four administrative regions.</p>
|
|
<h2>Work Injury</h2>
|
|
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">First and current law:</span> 1979 (social security).</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social insurance system.</p>
|
|
<h3>Coverage</h3>
|
|
<p>Employed persons, including public-sector workers, self-employed persons, and <span class="nobr">old-age</span> pensioners who return to work.</p>
|
|
<p>Exclusions: Casual workers, persons employed for less than eight hours a week, and military personnel.</p>
|
|
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.</p>
|
|
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
|
|
<p>There is no minimum qualifying period. The accident must occur during the course of employment.</p>
|
|
<h3>Temporary Disability Benefits</h3>
|
|
<p>80% of the insured's average weekly covered earnings in the four weeks before the disability began is paid from the first day of incapacity for up to 156 days; thereafter, the benefit may be extended and paid at 60% of average weekly covered earnings for up to 91 days. The benefit is paid weekly.</p>
|
|
<p>The minimum weekly benefit for the first 156 days is B$44.00; for the remaining 91 days, B$33.00.</p>
|
|
<p>The maximum weekly benefit for the first 156 days is B$256.00; for the remaining 91 days, B$192.00.</p>
|
|
<h3>Permanent Disability Benefits</h3>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Permanent disability pension:</span> 60% of the insured's average weekly covered earnings in the four weeks before the disability began multiplied by the assessed degree of disability is paid.</p>
|
|
<p>The minimum weekly pension is B$49.35.</p>
|
|
<p>The pension is paid every four weeks.</p>
|
|
<p>Constant-attendance allowance: For a total (100%) disability, 25% of the permanent disability pension is paid if the insured requires the constant attendance of others to perform daily functions.</p>
|
|
<p>A medical board assesses and periodically reviews the degree of disability.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Disability grant:</span> For an assessed degree of disability of less than 25%, a lump sum of the insured's average weekly covered earnings in the four weeks before the disability began multiplied by the assessed degree of disability multiplied by 260 is paid.</p>
|
|
<p>A medical board assesses the degree of disability.</p>
|
|
<h3>Workers' Medical Benefits</h3>
|
|
<p>Benefits include full medical care, including rehabilitation and treatment abroad if recommended by a medical doctor.</p>
|
|
<h3>Survivor Benefits</h3>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Survivor pension</span></p>
|
|
<p><span class="h5">Spouse's pension:</span> 66.7% of the permanent disability pension the deceased received or was entitled to receive is paid to an eligible <span class="nobr">widow(er).</span></p>
|
|
<p>Eligible <span class="nobr">widow(er)s</span> include a widow who was married to the deceased for at least three years and is pregnant with or caring for the deceased's children, is aged 50 or older, or was totally dependent on the deceased; or a dependent or disabled widower.</p>
|
|
<p>A limited pension may be paid to a widow for up to 52 weeks if she does not qualify for a spouse's pension.</p>
|
|
<p>The spouse's pension ceases upon remarriage.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h5">Orphan's pension:</span> 25% of the permanent disability pension the deceased received or was entitled to receive is paid to each child up to age 16 (age 21 if a <span class="nobr">full-time</span> student); 40% if disabled.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h5">Dependent parent's pension:</span> If there are no other eligible survivors, 40% of the pension the deceased received or was entitled to receive is paid to dependent parents aged 55 or older.</p>
|
|
<p>The minimum weekly pension is B$47 and is split among the eligible survivors.</p>
|
|
<p>The maximum combined survivor benefit is 60% of the deceased's average covered earnings in the four weeks before the date of the employment injury resulting in the insured's death.</p>
|
|
<p>Survivor pensions are paid every four weeks.</p>
|
|
<p><span class="h4">Funeral grant:</span> B$1,500 is paid when the insured dies.</p>
|
|
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
|
|
<p>Ministry of Finance (https://www.mof.gov.bz/) provides general supervision.</p>
|
|
<p>Social Security Board (<a href="https://www.socialsecurity.org.bz/">https://www.socialsecurity.org.bz/</a>) administers the program and collects contributions.</p>
|
|
<h2>Unemployment</h2>
|
|
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
|
|
<p>No social insurance statutory benefits are provided.</p>
|
|
<p>The Labour Act, as amended in 2011, requires employers to provide severance pay. With one to five years of service, severance is paid for termination of employment, retirement after age 60, or for medical reasons; with more than 10 years, in case of termination for reasons other than dismissal, for abandonment of service for a justifiable cause, completion of a finite contract, retirement after age 60, or for medical reasons.</p>
|
|
<p>The benefit amount depends on the number of years of service. With five to 10 years of service, a lump sum of one week of the employee's last wage is paid for each year of service; with more than 10 years of service, two weeks of the last wage for each year of service.</p>
|
|
</div>
|
|
</article>
|
|
</article>
|
|
<nav>
|
|
<div class="docNav"><a class="previous" href="barbados.html">Previous: Barbados</a> <a class="toTop" href="#hLogo">Top of page</a> <a class="toTOC" href="index.html#fileList">Table of contents</a> <a class="next" href="bermuda.html">Next: Bermuda</a></div>
|
|
</nav>
|
|
<footer><div id="footer">
|
|
<div class="important-info"><h4>Important Information:</h4>
|
|
<ul><li><a href="/agency/">About Us</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="/accessibility/">Accessibility</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="/foia/">FOIA</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="/open/">Open Government</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="/agency/glossary/">Glossary</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="/privacy/">Privacy</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="https://oig.ssa.gov/report/">Report Fraud, Waste or Abuse</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="/agency/websitepolicies.html">Website Policies</a></li></ul>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<p class="align-center margin-top">This website is produced and published at U.S. taxpayer expense.</p>
|
|
</div></footer>
|
|
<!-- SSA INTERNET BODY SCRIPTS -->
|
|
<script src="/policy/js/rspa.doc.js"></script>
|
|
<script src="/policy/js/rspa-shared.js"></script>
|
|
<script src="/framework/js/ssa.internet.body.js"></script>
|
|
</body></html>
|