…over 25,000 pensioners expected to benefit
The Government on Monday officially launched the NIS One-Off Payment Programme, aimed at providing financial relief to eligible senior citizens who have made between 500 and 749 contributions to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) but do not qualify for a pension.
The initiative, spearheaded by President Irfaan Ali and unveiled in detail on April 10, 2025, was formally launched by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr Ashni Singh. It is expected to benefit more than 25,000 senior citizens across the country.
To qualify, individuals must have turned 60 on or before December 31, 2024, have between 500 and 749 NIS contributions, and must not currently receive any pension from the NIS.
Eligible beneficiaries will receive one-off payments of 500 to 549 contributions: $260,000; 550 to 599 contributions: $390,000; 600 to 699 contributions: $520,000 and 700 to 749 contributions: $650,000
Singh emphasised that the programme is a response to the challenges faced by individuals who fall marginally short of the 750 contributions required to access a pension under the current NIS rules. “This initiative recognises the contributions of those who have given years of service and ensures they are not left behind,” he said. A total of $10 billion was allocated in the 2025 National Budget to finance the programme, reinforcing the Government’s ongoing efforts to enhance the welfare of senior citizens. Applications can be submitted online via the dedicated portal https://oneoffnis.gov.gy or in person at any NIS office nationwide. Drop boxes have been made available at these locations for added convenience.
Singh encouraged eligible individuals to apply promptly to benefit from the programme. “This is about dignity, inclusion, and respect for our elders who helped build this nation,” he stated. During a live broadcast from State House in April, the Head of State had explained that, “this measure will see a total of over $10 billion of additional disposable income being placed in the hands of over 25,000 of our senior citizens.”
This latest initiative added to various measures introduced over the years by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government to improve the quality of life of senior citizens across the country. These include the doubling of the Old Age Pension from $20,500 in 2020 to $41,000 this year – a move that has benefited over 76,000 pensioners, and has resulted in a total Old Age Pension payout of some $37 billion being transferred to senior citizens this year.
Other interventions include the reintroduction of water and electricity subsidies for pensioners, improved services for Old Age Pension collection, and eye care support to almost 19,000 senior citizens, with another 7000 shut-in elderly persons benefitting from home-based medical care. Meanwhile, President Ali had first announced the $10 billion injection into the NIS during his address to the Parliament in October 2024, specifically targeting those persons who fall marginally short of the 750-contribution requirement to be eligible for an NIS pension.
The Head of State had pointed out that during the various community outreaches, pensioners from across the country have been complaining of not getting any benefits because they do not meet the NIS contribution requirement.
“This was not only burdensome on the NIS system, but also we committed that we want to help people. We want to find ways in which we can make it easier for our citizens, especially the elderly, especially those persons who are now at an age in which they should be comfortable and they should also benefit from whatever contribution they made in the system,” President Ali had said.
