Do you support the proposal by the reform committee that the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) pensionable age be raised from 60 to 65 years? We asked persons on the street this question and these were their responses.
Annie Gilbert, Vendor
‘I do not support this proposal. When you come off the job at 55 years, you are supposed to get NIS at the same time. Some people don’t inherit their pension; they die before they meet sixty years. I don’t think that the pensionable age should be raised. It is supposed to be at 55 but they put it at 60 so it should remain at 60.’
Orin Moore, Unemployed
‘I would not support the pensionable age being raised from 60 to 65 years. I would not support this because the life expectancy age is probably 70 years but Guyanese hardly living to 60 years. I feel that it would be unreasonable to raise the pensionable age from 60 to 65. I don’t feel that persons should wait so long after giving their whole life service to an organization or company. If you watch the death announcements, you’ll see that at 40 years, 50 years, people are dying. I also think that the pensionable age should drop to 55 years.’
Sheryl Rahaman, Hairdresser
‘No, I do not support the raising of the pensionable age from 60 years to 65 years. I do not support it because when a person comes off the job, they are supposed to get the money right away because many don’t live to inherit their pension.’
Debbie Gouveia, Housewife
‘No I do not agree with the proposal. Five years difference is plenty; most people do not live up to 65. My mother died on the same week that she was ready to receive her pension. I think that the pensionable age should remain at 60 years. People do not live long. People work hard and when it’s time to get the benefit they do not get it at all.’
N. Ramsaroop, Snackette Owner
‘It is better if they give the pension at 55 years. What we experience in life, you barely live to see 60 years. I have five children and it is a struggle to mind them. I do not think that the pensionable age should be raised to 65 years. 55 years is a reasonable age to get your pension.’
Ivan Persaud, Self-employed
‘If they want to do that, they have to allow the people to pay NIS until they reach 65 years. It is a good idea for them to continue paying until they reach 65 years. They should raise the age of retirement and allow those who are self-employed to continue paying their contributions. I support the proposal because some people don’t have enough contributions and if they are allowed to continue to contribute until 65 years then they will have enough contributions’.
Rochelle Pollard, Self-employed
‘So long you have to wait. No I do not support the proposal. People need a pension at 60 years. People deserve their pension early. Also some people don’t live to 65 years. With what is happening in Guyana now, you need your pension. I also think that the age of retirement should be raised to 60 years. My mother is 63 years and is still working in New York. Some people don’t even look 60 years and are stronger that the young people nowadays.’
Ronald Dundas, Unemployed
‘When it comes to the pensionable age I see no reason to extend it for five more years. People would feel depressed. It would disadvantage persons.
Unfortunately, some people would not get to meet that age. Look at it this way, if someone was 59 years and will be 60 this year, if the pensionable age is extended to five more years, that person will be very disappointed to wait for the five years. I think that the pensionable age should remain the same. If it was that way years ago, why change it now?’
Raymond Lambert, Sales Manager
‘Why do people have to wait until they reach 65 years before getting their pension? No, I do not support this proposal. The retirement age is 55. What are they going to do to survive? It’s preposterous.
Most workplaces make people or force people to retire at 55 to 60 years. Therefore how is a person supposed to survive within that period? Many Guyanese also do not live to 65, especially these days. I think that that the pensionable age should remain the same’.
Sherwin Nieuenkerk, Office Assistant
‘I would not want to wait until 65 to receive a pension. Some people are working on contract and earning more than people who have been working for years.
The pensionable age should remain at 60 years. I also think that the retirement age should be raised. At 55 years people are still working and looking good’.
