THE EDITOR, Sir:
I BELIEVE the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) is now due for public review.
I believe such a review would allow both those who are receiving benefits and those who are contributing and are expecting benefit, to express themselves. The way the National Insurance Scheme now runs is disgusting, frustrating and undignified. Applicants are treated not like they have contributed to the scheme but like beggars of the worst type. I believe there should be an explanation as to why an application for benefit should take over one year to be processed.
This is so although in one of the National Insurance Scheme's handbooks entitled, All you need to know, page 27 it states, "a claim for retirement benefit may be made four months prior to retirement."
Applicants have gone to the NIS office one month before due date and gotten turned away on the grounds that he had not reached the age. Let the debate begin before the NIS becomes a permanent SIN. I hope the trade unions and other interest groups will join in this discussion so that the NIS can be viewed with pride in the future.
I am, etc.,
C. LEONARD JAMES JP
White Horses
St. Thomas
