In a discussion this week, Head of the Civil Service -Thelma Richard and Accountant General-Levi Bradshaw shared the terms and new facts that- persons-should-know about the new Pension Plan after the passing of the Pensions (Amendment) Act, 2025 and Government Auxiliary Employees (GAE) (Amendment) Act, 2025.
But what is a pension? Mr. Bradshaw explains:
As it relates to gratuity:
Levi Bradshaw. The new amendments will allow equitable pension and gratuity for both civil servants and Government Auxiliary Workers (GAEs), to set the retirement age at 62 and establishes a Pensions Fund to manage employee and government contributions.
Meantime – As talks continue about the new Pension Plan being offered to government employees, Ms. Richard explained the significance of the May 18th 2012 date:
Civil Servants employed prior to May 18th 2012, have the choice to opt into the new Pension Plan, retire at age 62 and would no longer need to request an extension of service to continue working after age 55. For employees who choose the new plan, there will be a 3% contribution that will begin from July 2025. If not, the old Pension Plan will continue. The deadline is June 30th 2025. For more information, kindly call Human Resources at 469-5521 on Nevis or 465-2521 in St. Kitts.
