The Social Security Act provides that every employee between the ages of 16 and the Pensionable Age, who commences employment in Montserrat, must be registered with the Montserrat Social Security Fund (MSSF) within four (4) days of the commencement of employment.
It is an offense under the Social Security Act to engage in employment if one is not registered. This will result, on summary conviction, in a fine.
If an employee is not yet registered:
His employer has a legal obligation to give him time off to get registered. The employee should therefore ask for time off in order to get registered.
To get registered, the employee must complete an Employee Registration form which must be submitted to the Social Security office along with the original copies of the applicant’s Passport, Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate (if married). A new first-time employee is entitled to a FREE Social Security Registration Card.
If an employee is already registered:
But unable to present his employer with his Social Security Registration Card on the first day of work, he must ensure that it is presented by the very next day. It is important that this is done, because one can only qualify for Social Security benefit if one is registered.
Please note the following:
- CARD WITHOUT A PICTURE – An Employee who has an old Registration Card without a picture is entitled to a new and improved one which is FREE.
- RENEWAL OF CARD – The renewal of the Registration Card after the expiration date will be at a cost of EC$50.00
- EXCHANGE OF CARD – The exchange of the Registration Card after the first issued card either because of name or address change will be at a cost of EC$100.00
- REPLACEMENT OF CARD – The replacement of a Registration Card after the first issued card had been lost or misplaced will be at a cost of EC$100.00