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Social Development Dept bombarded with retirees seeking help- Hon Skelton

Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Ronnie W. Skelton said the raising of the age of retirement to coincide with the age of eligibility for Social Security benefits is the right thing to do. Photo: VINO/File
The Retirement Age Act 2016, a bill to raise the age of retirement from 60 to 65 in the Virgin Islands (UK), was passed last evening, October 25, 2016 with amendments. Photo: VINO/File
The Retirement Age Act 2016, a bill to raise the age of retirement from 60 to 65 in the Virgin Islands (UK), was passed last evening, October 25, 2016 with amendments. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- While admitting that it is better late than never and not to score any political points, Minister responsible for Health and Social Development, Hon Ronnie W. Skelton has said synchronising the age of retirement with the age that retirees receive Social Security, is simply the right thing to do.

The Minister was speaking at the Second Sitting of the Second Session of the Third House of Assembly (HoA) on Tuesday, October 25, 2016, during his contribution to the debate on the Retirement Age Act 2016, a bill to raise the age of retirement from 60 to 65 in the Virgin Islands (UK).

The bill was passed last evening, October 25, 2016 with amendments.

“I think it is the right thing to do, it is the most responsible thing to do to help the less fortunate in the society to continue to survive and to make a meaningful contribution to this country. Madam Speaker, a lot of these people are of sound mind, strength, and spirit that they could continue to make a contribution to the country.  So it is true that we have taken quite some time to get it here, but here it is, Madam Speaker, we are not going back till it’s done,” he said.

According to Hon Skelton, they as the policy makers are the ones being confronted when people are sent home at 60 and has to wait five more years to receive Social Security benefits. He also said the Social Development Department is also being bombarded with these retirees seeking assistance to survive.

The Health and Social Development Minister pointed out that it cannot be right where the lives of people are dependent on the whims and fancies of elected members as well as the Social Development department.

“They are healthy and could work and should be allowed to work. We cannot allow this to continue Madam Speaker. It is the right thing to do and we must do it,” he insisted, adding that if it is not addressed now the future generations will suffer for it as they will be made to carry a burden that they are not able to carry.

17 Responses to “Social Development Dept bombarded with retirees seeking help- Hon Skelton”

  • voter (26/10/2016, 09:13) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply
    thought he was in China we have not heard from him in 5 years!
  • Thing to talk (26/10/2016, 09:31) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yet still the NDP replaced Dr.Dawson with a lady (Dr.Smith's cousin) who is way over the age of 65.
  • Curious (26/10/2016, 10:15) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Does that mean we will have less work permits being issued and less retired overseas employees??
  • lord o. (26/10/2016, 12:56) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    I agree. Makes a whole ton of sense to me. Really like the new law.
  • Plank. (26/10/2016, 13:30) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    NDP will be two members short for next pcoming election. Ronnie and Smith. They will resign. Those are good decisions.. I had Marlon Penn as a new rising star but my mind change since he agreed to take that big pay increase. I really had him as our next deputy premier as the ministef of Labour & NR. He is not such a good guy after all. He is just as greedy and selfish.
    • Really??!! (27/10/2016, 09:43) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      It's all about money honey child. No matter what the situation, money always involved somehow/some way!!
  • W*F (26/10/2016, 14:53) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Kudos. It is the Right Thing to do.
  • Whoa (26/10/2016, 18:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Raise the Social Security Amount across the board. Some people are getting only $500.00 per month, because they retired long ago.
  • sickning (26/10/2016, 22:30) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    No vision! Who. the hell want to work more until 65..the bible talks about extra life..and resting..why the hell government didn't consider lowering the social security age .to 60 instead whats up bvi u going take bullshit all your life! So those who you retire they have a case to comeback then? Strupees!
  • John (26/10/2016, 23:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Social security needs to do better investing with the people's money. Lending to the government at 3% is not enough to guarantee a living wage at retirement.
  • staff (27/10/2016, 14:03) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mr. Skelton these Trust companies need proper retirement plans for their staff when they already put in over 25 years. It's time to do something. We need help. Social problems aint start yet wait.
  • Looking In (27/10/2016, 15:51) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think a Law to raise the retirement age even further is madness and poor planning..Think about entering the workforce on average from 25 years and work to 60 years; that's 35 years of work paying social security isn't that enough time to get a return on your investment? Increasing the retirement age is just another way of government colluding with social security to stiff hard working people. Pay the people their money and send them out to do private investment...open way for young people to join the workforce, as technology changes and employers will require new minds...stop creating a dependency syndrome..35 years of paying social security is enough.
    • right (29/10/2016, 18:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Your comment is so on point! How will the young people be able to get jobs if these old folks are taking up the space! Let the young people get a chance. Lower the SS age. Why would you want to be working more years?! That's nonsense


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