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Government Pension In Jamaica
How Do I collect my pension if I now live overseas?

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Government Pension In JamaicaGovernment Pension In Jamaica

by Sheree-Anita Shearer | Associate Writer

Public Sector workers in Jamaica, are awarded a pension when they retire. If you were a public servant (teacher, police officer, soldier, etc.), for a number of years, that means you are qualified to apply for your pension.
The particulars of your pension may vary depending on the sector in which you worked. However, this is some general information on what will be required.

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When you begin receiving your cheque, both pensioners living in and outside of Jamaica will start to receive life certificates every four months. These should be completed and sent back to the office in a timely manner.

The pensioner’s name, address, account number and the particulars of the ministry from which he/she retired are included. All that’s there to do is fill out the form, add their signature, have it signed by a notary public and send it back to the Pensions Unit of the Accountant General’s Department.

The notary publics allowed to sign life certificates are:

  • Justice of the Peace with stamp and seal
  • Police Inspector with stamp and seal
  • Minister of Religion with stamp and seal
  • Bank Manager with stamp and seal
  • Post Office Manager or Clerk with stamp and seal
  • Principal with School stamp and seal

For those residing overseas

  • A Notary Public with stamp and seal
  • Civil Servants of the equivalent rank of GMG/SEG1 stating their rank and stamped with the stamp of the Ministry or Department to which they belong

These kinds of certificates are distributed depending on the category of pensioner you fall into. The original life certificate is printed by payroll, the duplicate certificate as a replacement in case the first is lost or damaged and, a life certificate specifically for the persons living abroad but are paid locally.

In the event that your life certificate is not sent, then you will need to visit the AGD (Accountant General Department) and complete a barcoded form or ask that one be mailed to you instead. Life certificates cannot be faxed or E-mailed, they must be mailed in or brought directly to the office.

Proof of Permanent Residence for Overseas Pensioners

For those living overseas, after you have applied for and received approval for your pension, you will need to verify that you hold permanent residence in that country. To fulfil this requirement, a notarized letter must be sent to the Pensions Unit, requesting that payments be sent overseas.

The letter should also be accompanied by some proof of permanent legal residence. When this is done, your pensions will be sent to you through the established authority of each country.

What Could Delay My Pension?

I mentioned this briefly before, but let’s get into a little more detail. Failure to submit the life certificate on time or submitting an invalid certificate will result in the retiree's pension being held until a valid life certificate is given to the department. Upon the reinstatement of your pension, the outstanding balances will be paid over to you.

Also, if you receive your cheques by mail and you fail to collect them within two weeks, they will be returned to the Accountant Generals' office. Failing to collect your cheques for two consecutive months will also result in the suspension of your pension.

Health Insurance Plan

Government pensioners will also benefit from the partnership between the Government of Jamaica and Sagicor Life Insurance through the health plan designed especially for them. With this health coverage, the government covers 90% of the actual cost of the plan while the pensions bear the remaining 10%.

Pensioners who qualify, can apply directly to Sagicor for membership and have the option of an individual or family coverage plan.

Since this normal plan does not include hospitalization assistance, pensioners also have the option to enrol in the supplemental Medigap plan which would provide hospitalisation assistance for the individual or family, depending on the plan on which they are enrolled.

Officers proceeding on retirement and who have elected to receive the Alimentary and Advance on gratuity may apply to the Government Pension Administrative Services Only (GPASO) through their Personnel Unit.

In the event that you need to make changes to your personal information, for example; mailing addresses, appointing agents, or changing the mode of payment, they must first be signed by the pensioner and witnessed by a Justice of the Peace.

Frequently Asked Questions For Government Pensioners  In Jamaica

Will widow/widower’s pension cease if you remarry?

If you are the widow/widower of a public officer, pensions will continue if you happen to remarry, however, if your partner was a member of the Police Force (JCF/ISCF) or Jamaican National Defence Force pensions will cease.

Do Pensioners Pay Taxes?

Once it is above the tax threshold, the 25% income tax applies to the difference.

If you have more questions or concerns, the Accountant General Department is a great place you can contact them at:

Contact Information

Accountant General’s Department

  • Address: The Ministry of Finance & the Public Service Building, 30 National Heroes Circle, Kingston 4, Jamaica
  • Phone: +1 (876) 922-8320-7 / +1 (876) 922-7906
  • Toll-Free: 1-888-991-3005
  • WhatsApp: (876) 818-6583
  • Email: info@treasury.gov.jm
  • Opening Hours (For Pensions and Loans): Monday-Thursday 8:30 AM-3 PM (Fridays until 2 PM)

If you had continued your NIS contributions as a voluntary contributor while living abroad, you might qualify for your NIS pension as well.

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References & Sources For Government Pension In Jamaica

  1. Accountant General's Department, https://www.treasury.gov.jm/

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