THE National Insurance Scheme (NIS)’s One-Off payment programme for eligible insured persons who have between 500 and 749 contributions, was officially launched by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh, on Monday.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali had laid out the details of the initiative on April 10, 2025, following his earlier announcement of the programme.
It is expected to benefit over 25,000 senior citizens. The initiative also forms part of government’s broader range of interventions aimed at improving the quality of life of Guyana’s senior citizens

To be eligible under the programme, persons must have attained the age of 60 on or before 31 December 2024, have between 500 to 749 contributions on record and not be in receipt of any pension from NIS.
These persons will benefit from the one-off payment as follows:
• 500 to 549 NIS Contributions – One-Off Payment of $260,000
• 550 to 599 NIS Contributions – One-Off Payment of $390,000
• 600 to 699 NIS Contributions – One-Off Payment of $520,000
• 700 to 749 NIS Contributions – One-Off Payment of $650,000
The programme is intended to allow the NIS to address the challenges faced, particularly by those persons who have fallen marginally short of the 750 contributions required for a pension from the NIS, the Ministry of Finance said in a press release.

In keeping with President’s Ali’s commitment, a sum of $10 billion was allocated in Budget 2025 to ensure the financing and delivery of this programme.
The NIS has established a dedicated website at https://oneoffnis.gov.gy where persons can check their eligibility and submit their applications online. Alternatively, they could visit the nearest NIS office in their area, uplift and complete a form, and place it in the drop boxes available at NIS offices countrywide.

The Finance Minister, while highlighting further details of the initiative during the programme’s launch on Monday, urged persons who are eligible to submit their applications as soon as possible, so they may benefit from the President’s initiative.

“The government remains committed to ensuring that the senior citizens of Guyana, who have given their best years in service to the country, can retire with dignity and the respect they deserve,” the Ministry of Finance said.