THERE WAS a time in Barbados when the age of retirement was 60. Subsequently it moved to the age of 65. At this present time we are hearing about people who have the option to retire at age 67.
Furthermore, there were suggestions of having workers retire at the age of 70.
The reason given for these incremental changes was that if employees leave the work force earlier than age 60, there would be very few workers contributing to the National Insurance Scheme and it would possibly become non-existent in a few years’ time.
Based on media reports, it appears that a number of workers in Government departments and at statutory corporations are being retired just after the age of 60 although the option of later retirement is available to them.
One wonders if these employees are being retired, being made redundant or being dismissed otherwise.
Again, there is need for clarity and explanations as to what is the true status of these employees, some of whom may have committed themselves to working to the maximum retirement age.
It cannot be easy for workers to be without jobs for approximately seven years before receiving pensions.
– MICHAEL RAY