Social Security turns 21

The Belize Social Security Board is celebrating its twenty-first anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, S.S.B. is holding a week of activities across the country to sensitise the community about its work and the benefits afforded to the general public. Today officials invited both primary and secondary school students to an all day presentation at their headquarters in Belize City.

Carolyn Moss, Senior Inspector, S.S.B.

“What we do, is we give them a short introduction on Social Security registration, and they have been asking quite a number of questions as well.”

Jacqueline Woods

“Why is it that you all have decided to target these students, after all, they do not pay social security?”

Carolyn Moss

“Yes, but from out last activity we had at the show grounds, a number of the questions came in as to why is it we are not targeting the primary schools. As a result, we have included them. from time to time, we do go to the primary school and give talks on social security. As you know, some of the children who leave primary school at this time are age fourteen. And with Social Security, if you get a summer job at age fourteen, your employer should pay Social Security on your behalf.”

Jacqueline Woods

“They’ve also been learning that the Social Security card cannot only be used for medical benefits.”

Carolyn Moss

“That is correct. Currently, Social Security is used everywhere, for land purposes, for social security, for medical care, whatever reason, social security is the key.”

Social Security would like to remind those persons who have not yet applied for their new card, that the deadline was March thirty-first and that it is important for them to sign up as soon as possible.