The National Insurance Scheme extends Social Insurance Coverage on a compulsory basis, to all persons between the ages of sixteen (16) and sixty- (60) years who are engaged in Insurable Employment. Coverage is also extended on a voluntary basis, to persons who cease such employment before reaching age sixty- (60) years, until the attainment thereof. Employed Persons outside this age range who are in Insurable Employment are also covered, but for Industrial Benefits only. However, Self-employed Contributors are not covered for Industrial Benefits.
Both the Employer and Employee pay Contributions into the Scheme based on a 'Payroll System'. The total Contribution for Employed Contributors is 14% of the actual Wage / Salary paid to the Employee. This is derived from a 5.6% deduction from the Employee’s pay, and the remaining 8.4% paid by the Employer on behalf of the Employee. The actual wage / salary is, at present, subjected to a ceiling of $280,000.00 per month or $64,615.00 per week for National Insurance purposes.
Self-employed Persons contribute 12.5% of their declared Income as Contributions, while Voluntary Contributors pay 9.3% of their Insurable Earnings as determined from the last two years of their employment.
Presently, the Scheme provides for the payment of the following Benefits, which are grouped under three branches as follows:
Employed Contribution History
Effective Date | Monthly Ceiling | Weekly Ceiling |
January 2020 | 280,000 | 64,615 |
February 2019 | 256,800 | 59,262 |
January 2018 | 240,000 | 55,385 |
January 2017 | 220,000 | 50,769 |
October 2015 | 200,000 | 46,154 |
January 2015 | 170,812 | 39,418 |
January 2014 | 158,159 | 36,498 |
March 2013 | 150,628 | 34,760 |
January 2012 | 143,455 | 33,105 |
March 2011 | 132,829 | 30,653 |
January 2010 | 126,504 | 29,193 |
March 2008 | 113,660 | 26,229 |
March 2007 | 104,278 | 24,064 |
April 2006 | 99,312 | 22,918 |
May 2005 | 92,817 | 21,420 |
January 2004 | 88,397 | 20,400 |
January 2003 | 84,188 | 19,428 |
Feburary 2002 | 80,180 | 18,503 |
January 2000 | 76,000 | 17,538 |
October 1999 | 60,000 | 13,846 |
November 1998 | 46,000 | 10,615 |
April 1998 | 45,000 | 10,385 |
March 1997 | 35,220 | 8,128 |
April 1996 | 29,350 | 6,770 |
April 1995 | 25,520 | 5,890 |
November 1994 | 22,000 | 5,077 |
June 1994 | 20,000 | 4,616 |
September 1993 | 14,000 | 3,231 |
April 1992 | 10,000 | 2,308 |
April 1991 | 4,000 | 923 |
May 1989 | 1,500 | 346 |