Am I Entitled to a Pension from Jamaica After Working There Years Ago?

Hi Leslie, thanks so much for reaching out—and that’s an important question, especially now that you’ve reached retirement age. The short answer is, yes, you may be entitled to a pension from Jamaica, but there are a few details to check to be sure.

Since you worked with the Correctional Services, you were part of the Jamaican public sector. Many government positions back then had pension schemes, especially for full-time, permanent employees. If you contributed to the pension fund during those years and met the required service period—usually around 10 years minimum—you may qualify for a government pension.

The next step would be to contact the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service in Jamaica, as they handle pension payments for former government workers, including those in Correctional Services. You can reach them online at https://mof.gov.jm or by phone to request a status check on your eligibility.

Even though you’ve migrated, being overseas doesn’t automatically affect your pension rights, as long as you’re eligible. Many retired Jamaicans living abroad receive their pensions directly to their bank accounts once approved.

I’d suggest gathering any old employment records, ID numbers, or correspondence from your time in Correctional Services to make the process smoother. If you don’t have those, they can still assist, but it may take a little longer to verify your service history.

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📅 Last updated: June 20, 2025

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