THE Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security begins distribution of the 2013 Old Age books today ensuring that thousands of senior citizens have their books in time for next year.

The books are printed and distributed on an annual basis throughout the 10 administrative regions at locations nearest to pensioners’ home as part of a recent focus of improving the distribution process and towards making it easier for the senior citizens to uplift the books.
The ministry has been advertising in the media the various distribution schedules and is advising that pensioners take along their necessary documents inclusive of their 2012 Old Age Pension book and National Identification Card or Passport when they go to uplift their booklet.
Over the years, the government has enabled an environment whereby every Guyanese 65 years and over is in receipt of an old age pension. Prior to abolishment the abolishment of the Means Test in July 1993 established by the People’s National Congress (PNC) regime, determined who could have received a pension.
The administration has also increased ‘ten-times-over’ the pension assistance in keeping with the country’s projected growth rate and towards enabling retirees more income to live a better and secure life.
Today about 44,000 pensioners are receiving from government a monthly pension of $10,000. Pensioners were in receipt of a mere $211 in 1992.
Additionally, government has ensured that today over 20,000 pensioners are exempted from paying water bills and if it is so required that they are in receipt of a grant in the sum of $10,000 as assistance for the acquisition of spectacles. In 2011, the sum of $5.3M was expended by the Government on Eye Care Assistance to pensioners.