Retired civil servants get Christmas bonus

| 24/12/2021 | 55 Comments

(CNS): Government pensioners have received a $150 ex gratia payment for Christmas, a one-off payment that was approved by Cabinet at a special meeting on Tuesday. The payment went to pensioners who are part of the Public Service Pensions Plan and was deposited to recipients’ accounts on Wednesday.

Deputy Governor and Head of the Civil Service Franz Manderson thank his Cabinet colleagues for supporting the public service pensioners. “Many of them have served our beloved Islands for decades and could easily be described as the backbone of our society,” he said. “We are happy to be able to give this token to them during the festive season.”

Minister for Finance and Economic Development Chris Saunders said government recognised the valuable contributions that they have made during their time in public service. “We were able to fund this payment through budgetary savings,” he added, but did not reveal the cost of the one-off payment.


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Comments (55)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Morons, please note. I have a $8500 bill at HSA for their services rendered to me. I am a retired Civil Servant but not ALL retired CS get CINICO coverage. MANY of us pay our 20% just like private industry retirees! I’m one!

    Schooled now?

    • Anonymous says:

      10:26. Sounds like you worked in the civil service for less than 10 years.

      Thank you for your service.

    • Anonymous says:

      10:26. No we are not schooled. Tell us which set of retired civil servants do not get free health care.

      You were either a public servant and not a civil servant

      Or you had less than 10 years of pensionable service.

      Either way you should not be complaining.

    • Anonymous says:

      I think you must be a public servant, not a civil servant, 10:28. There is a difference and sometimes health benefits is one of those differences.

    • Anonymous says:

      HSA can’t refuse you care. Pay it if you want but there’s no need.

    • Beaumont Zodecloun says:

      I feel for you, and your anger. Still, you should have ‘schooled’ without rancor.

      I know several people in your same shoes; they probably want to shuffle you to the Silver Plan. Don’t bite, unless you fancy paying for everything, except critical/emergency care.

      The truth is that we don’t seem to care for our elderly, our seamen, our retired folk worth a damn. Most of us have paid into a mandatory pension which will leave us destitute and likely dependent upon the NAU, as a reward for giving the best years of our lives to our jobs.

      This shit has to change. I’m so sorry that you aren’t 100% covered. After working all your life, you shouldn’t have to worry about how to pay for your health care.

      Be well and safe, friend.

  2. Fried Lizard says:

    703am you need to ask Our great DG the benevolent Governor and several of their colonial mites that question?Because whilst they preach all things Caymanian their actions say otherwise, have a good look at the New Civil servants employed during this Covid 19 pandemic and whence they hail from . I can guarantee you one thing they won’t be getting this lickle pittance to put in their stocking. Errry ting kris star !

    • Anonymous says:

      8:14. Please enlighten us.

      I know travel cayman employed over 100 Caymanians. Are these the employees you are so upset about?

      I am a proud civil service who have benefited greatly from civil service leadership during the pandemic.

      • Nuff Respect says:

        100 Caymanians yeah right Can you even tell the difference?,you are just a Tool .

        • Anonymous says:

          Nuff.I know good news about Caymanians hurt. But you better get used to it if you are going to talk about our civil service. I am a proud civil servant and my senior leaders take care of me.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Thank You 🙏. It may be small but so appreciated and needed by so many. Many may not be aware but they are many past civil servants eg teachers, who taught you and your children, workers from PWD, Hospital, MRCU/ENVIRONMENT HEALTH and uniform branches, Who makes less than $300-500 per month pension. Many when working came from outer districts and because of finances, lack of transport, and/or working hours, they had to board in town during their work week only returning on to their families on day off, these were not persons who sat under the tree awaiting hand outs, but rather honest, hardworking, industrious people who worked their fingers to the bone and would rather die than take handouts, they were proud to work and support their families, handout was and still a No No ! These people who molded the Civil Service that so many wants to be a part of today. This is the reason why its impossible for me to fathom how an ex-civil Servant who served as much as 40 years can receive less per month than the indigent, NAU, PFA assistance. These poor people should not be receiving LESS than NAU recipients even if it means Government needs to supplement monthly the difference. PACT please help these poor people.

    • Cayman Biting Ants says:

      Unfortunately 7:15 am this is what happens when you give up your rights and settle for privileges and then they take them too! Settle for something is better than nothing. The problem with that is when the something is allocated to others who have established their rights those with privileges only, get Nothing!

    • Anonymous says:

      So true, many older Civil Servants never had the privilege of being on PPE, in fact many worked for years on weekly paid, was not pensionable and because of their pay scale did not receive the annual 15% gratuities, they had no representation therefore they were not as fortunate as the Attorney General and his buddies in the Police that received both

  4. Anonymous says:

    Anything to benefit the caymanian people is always a problem to others and I wonder why?.

  5. Beaumont Zodecloun says:

    At least there are still wild chickens to eat.

    • Anonymous says:

      Remember retired Civic Servants of yesteryears was hard workers, always on time or before time for their work, doing the job of 2 or 3 people, not like today workers. They deserve the little bonus and more.

  6. Neverwannabeacivilservant says:

    What about the annual COLA adjustment to their pensions which looks like being around 6% for this year, do they really need an addtional $150 on top?. “World Class!”.

    • Anonymous says:

      2:19, the pension adjustment is made based on the annual increase in the CPI as calculated by the Economics and Statistics Office. And therein lies the problem. Inflation everywhere else in the world may be running at 6%, but when ESO gets to work with their mysterious “basket of goods” (have they removed VHS tapes yet?) that they say they use to help calculate the CPI, Booya! Inflation here is waaayyyy below the rest of the world by their calculations, something that is counterintuitive to anyone who shops in our supermarkets where price rises recently have been astonishing.

      • Anonymous says:

        As a pensioner, every little bit helps. So I am grateful. I hope this will send a message that will resonate across the community.

        For instance, I find that in the larger spheres there is little regard for the financial constraints of seniors. I had a tooth extraction some time ago. The govt dentist told me that I needed to wait three months before I could get an implant that would cost $1,500. It turned out that was too late for an implant. I could not get a false tooth—wouldn’t work—and the only option I had was a bridge. That would cost me $3,O00.

        I gave the go ahead for the bridge and paid 50 percent and was told I could get a payment plan.

        But I later thought it was unconscionable so I wrote letter after letter—to CINICO, the CMO, to the Financial Secretary.

        At the same time I was receiving threats of court action, resulting in some not-too-pleasant phone calls.

        The upshot is that I could not very well return the goods, and they eventually gave up or perhaps the final letter up the chain had an effect.

        Still have the goods and the matter has died.

        But was that really necessary? Proper dental care is an essential part of health care covered by CINICO. Why such a palaver over a diagnosis made by a professional, even when the pensioner is willing to pay 50 %? It is just emblematic of the paucity of consideration of the plight of pensioners.

        • Anonymous says:

          I know old retired civil servants has to pay for half of the cost of their dentures etc which is not fair to them and Should be change asap to be free for old retired civic servants

      • Anonymous says:

        Whatever- this is just a bribe by the people in power…. Call it what it is and move on.

      • Anonymous says:

        They also use school fees, and include the non existent ones for public schools.

        • Anonymous says:

          And give millions to private schools..many of whom do not encourage or grant local scholarships or grants.

    • anon says:

      So far, two civil servants have read this, 2.19pm.

    • Anonymous says:

      As a pensioner, every little bit helps. So I am grateful. I hope this will send a message that will result in increased consideration for pensioners across the community.

      For instance, I find that in the larger spheres there is little regard for the financial constraints of seniors. I had a tooth extraction some time ago. The govt dentist told me that I needed to wait three months before I could get an implant that would cost $1,500. It turned out that was too late for an implant. I could not get a false tooth—wouldn’t work—and the only option I had was a bridge. That would cost me $3,O00.

      I gave the go ahead for the bridge and paid 50 percent and was told I could get a payment plan.

      But I later thought it was unconscionable so I wrote letter after letter—to CINICO, the CMO, to the Financial Secretary.

      At the same time I was receiving threats of court action, resulting in some not-too-pleasant phone calls.

      The upshot is that I could not very well return the goods, and they eventually gave up or perhaps the final letter up the chain had an effect.

      Still have the goods and the matter has died.

      But was that really necessary? Proper dental care is an essential part of health care covered by CINICO. Why such a palaver over a diagnosis made by a professional, even when the pensioner is willing to pay 50 %? It just the paucity of consideration of the plight of pensioners.

    • Anonymous says:

      The COLA for this year doesn’t come into play automatically, but will be considered at various levels. A consequent decision will be made in the context of the budget and the calculations of the local cost of Irving increase.

      Thst usually means a retroactive grant in the middle of the year.

    • Anonymous says:

      That what they should be getting according to the Pension Law, however this never happens. My guess Government method of calculating COLA is different here than world wide 🤔

  7. Anonymous says:

    I am so happy that we live in such a rich country!

    • Anonymous says:

      Me too. I hope you all see that its not tourist but mutual funds that run this place.

      We are loaded with cash.

  8. Anonymous says:

    HAHAHAHA

  9. Anonymous says:

    CIG. The gift that keeps on giving the whole year round.

  10. Anonymous says:

    Does tjat include the 33 1/3 pension?
    I mean come on

  11. Anonymous says:

    Never mind these retirement civil servants as they are living comfortably….more important is help and support homeless and very poor people with kids.

    • Anonymous says:

      12:08 pm. For you information, their are retired civil servants, who are only receiving $600 – 900 per month. It is unjust and unfair for pensioners who worked hard and long hours to receive far less than tourism people who were well paid in their various occupations. Matter of fact. some of them have done very little or nothing at all and are being given what taxpayers have contributed. Think about that and understand who are the receivers on the other end.

      • Anonymous says:

        They should have planned better for their retirement. People shouldn’t expect the government to look after them when they stop working, you save money and invest.

  12. Anonymous says:

    Thanks Mr. Deputy Governor. As a pensioner with 40 years of dedicated service (when the CS was honourable), I appreciate this token.

    It’ll go towards my $8500 bill to HSA!

    • Anonymous says:

      12:04 pm, how and why you owe HSA $ 8500 bill ? , when you say you are retired with 40 years of when C S was hourable ? I agree back then C S workers was hard working with good work ethics , unlike today.

    • Angus says:

      12:04. How could you have a bill at HSA if you are pensioner?

      I support this token of appreciation to pensioners some persons with 10 years of pensionable service earn a few hundred dollars a month in Pension.

      Our pensioners paved the way for the world class civil service we have today.

      This is the season to be jolly folks.

  13. Corruption is endemic says:

    We do this every year, just put it in the budget so no “special meeting” is needed.

  14. Anonymous says:

    nonsense….but just another day in wonderland….zzzzzzz

  15. Anonymous says:

    You get some money. You get some money. No, not you expats. And you get some money.

    • Anonymous says:

      But you will wote for me right..?
      Hey guys this is a great idea, we buy wotes, but don’t use our own money, pretty cool eh. ?

      • Anonymous says:

        Furreal bobo. Just remeber to wote for me next election and ill give you more xmas presents curtsey of the public piggybank.

      • Anonymous says:

        Nobody can buy my vote. I am not for sale. Only ghetto people sell their souls for the almighty dollar.

        • Anonymous says:

          1:04 pm, i agree with you 100 %, no one can buy my vote, only foolish stupid people sell their vote and ruin the country.

    • Anonymous says:

      Do you want to hear about massive benefits..eg. major medical expenses from preexisting conditions on hiring; and spouses also hired in great positions..which used to be disallowed?
      Etc.
      Expats have learnt to skim the cream here as in the private sector.

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