A sweep of legislation amendments is on the agenda of the National Unity Government to improve the operations of the Social Security Board in 2023.
Governor His Excellency John Rankin announced the amendments to be made during his Speech from the Throne on Tuesday, which will be brought before the House of Assembly this year.
He said, “Government will seek to amend the Social Security Act (CAP. 266) to increase the membership of the Social Security Fund Investment Committee and provide that its recommendations be referred to the Board for ratification”
“The legislation that is being proposed would provide for the Board to pay legal costs only in cases where rulings from the Courts are not in favour of the Board, and provide for how reimbursements will be handled where the beneficiary has another private health insurance plan,” he explained.
Governor Rankin also disclosed that several other amendments will be made to the Social Security Act “to improve the general governance and administration of the Social Security Fund and the National Health Insurance Fund.”
Further to the Act, Rankin said amendments will also be geared towards several regulations.
“Government also intends to make amendments to the Social Security (Contributions) Regulations, the Social Security (Benefits) Regulations, and the Social Security (National Health Insurance)Regulations to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of the social insurance system,” he said.