Dear Valued Customers,
In observance of the new Covid-19 measures announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, our customer service office will close at 11: 30 a.m. on Friday, March 26, 2021. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
The Accountant General’s Department is grateful for your understanding and wishes all to stay safe during this time.
Life Certificates are essential to the pension payment process. The Life Certificate is an official document used to verify that a pensioner is still alive and; therefore, eligible to receive a pension from the Government of Jamaica.
The Accountant General’s Department sends a Life Certificate to each pensioner at the end of every quarter. Certificates are to be completed by pensioners and submitted to the department by the end of the first month of the following quarter.
For example, the Life Certificate sent to you at the end of June, is due for submission to the Accountant General’s Department on or before July 31.
Any of the below listed officers may certify the Life Certificate:
Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, Minister of Religion, Medical Practitioner, Principal, Civil Servant at the rank of GMG/SEG1 and above, Bank Manager, Parish Council, Secretary of the KSAC and Town Clerk.
Points to note:
The completed Life Certificate ought to be submitted to the Accountant General’s Department either by post or hand delivery.
If a pensioner does not submit a life certificate, is late in submitting the certificate, or if the life certificate submitted is invalid, payments may be suspended until a valid life certificate is received.
Pensioners are required by law to pay income tax.
Once the pension is over the tax threshold then a 25 percent income tax is applied. However the tax threshold varies depending on the age of the pensioner.
See below the break down of the tax thresholds for pensioners within the specified age ranges.
The tax threshold or tax free pay that is applicable as at April 1, 2017 is as follows:
Therefore, any amount exceeding the stipulated tax threshold mentioned will attract 25% income tax.
NB: All amounts mentioned are the current rates and are subject to change by the Government of Jamaica.
Pensioners retired prior to April 1, 2018 who elected to take a gratuity at retirement and have completed 12 ½ years in retirement will be restored to full pension.
When a pensioner elects to receive a gratuity and a reduced pension, a quarter of the pension for 12 ½ years is used to pay the Gratuity. At the end of the 12 ½ years the ¼ pension that was used to pay the gratuity, is restored to the pensioner, pending that his date of retirement is before April 1, 2018.
The pensioner would have already received the ¼ pension in the gratuity, therefore the restoration payment will be effective as at the end of the 12 ½ years. It is not paid retroactively neither is it a lump sum.
Please note that basic pension refers to the amount paid at the date of retirement. Any increase thereafter is referred to as temporary supplement.
Government Pensioners are entitled to receive a minimum pension each year based on their years of service.
The Government of Jamaica stipulates the minimum pension, which is subject to change.
The current minimum pension, with effect from July 1, 2019, is outlined as follows:
Pensioners under the age of 55, who were not retired on the grounds of ill health or did not complete 10 years of service are paid the amount set out in their pension award letter.
Following the announcement by Prime Minister Andrew Holness at the Press Briefing on March 16, 2020, the Accountant General has made an assessment of all service areas of the Accountant General’s Department (AGD) and has determined that limited service will be provided to customers over the 7 day period, which commences on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. We request that customers contact us through our digital platforms, as follows:
| Live Chat | https://www.treasury.gov.jm |
| https://www.facebook.com/thetreasuryja | |
| https://www.instagram.com/thetreasuryja | |
| https://twitter.com/thetreasuryja | |
| Whatsapp (Text only) | 1-876-818-6583 |
| info@treasury.gov.jm |
The following services may be accessed online: requests for Pensioner Life Certificates, P-24 forms and status letters.
It is our expectation that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) will continue to make payments to the AGDs bank accounts, to be followed by appropriate email notification, while ensuring that the precautions, as outlined by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Health and Wellness are observed.
Only limited operations will be conducted at our Contact Centre, we may be reached at 876-922-8320-7.
Pensioner Life Certificates and general mail may be submitted using the designated drop boxes which have been placed at the main entrance the MOFPS Building, 30 National Heroes Circle, Kingston 4, or through the regular postal service.
We do appreciate your understanding at this time and look forward to a continued working relationship with all our customers, as we strive to provide excellent service.
With best regards and wishes for continued safety.
Anya Jones
Accountant General
GOODBYE TENSION… HELLO PENSION!
After years of hard work and dedicated service, you want for your transition to retirement to be as seamless as possible.
Here are a few quick tips for making the pension process as easy as 1… 2… 3…
Step 1: Visit your HR Department
It is important to visit your HR Department at least two (2) years before your expected date of retirement. This enables you to ensure that all information required by the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service is already in your HRD’s possession. You should also gather all the information you can about the pension process as well as the emoluments that will be used in the calculation of your pension allotments. It is also crucial to ensure that your name corresponds on all your relevant documents, such as: service records, TRN, bank account and Government Issued photographic identification.
For example: If your name on your TRN card is Jennifer Brown, and the name on your photo ID card is Jennifer Brown-Green, this inconsistency may cause delays in the processing of your payment.
Step 2: Await your award letter from the MoFPS
Once your documents have been submitted to the MoFPS, you can expect an award letter within the next six (6) months. The award letter will indicate the type of pension you have elected to receive (pension or reduced reduced) as well as your gratuity payment amount.
*Presently, it is common for a pensioner to receive two (2) letters, one stating their alimentary allowance and advance payments, the next stating their pension and gratuity amount.
With your letter, you should also receive a copy of the Accountant General’s Department’s Banking Information Form. This form is to be completed, duly notarized and returned along with a bank account verification document (status letter, printout or statement).
Step 3: Check your Account!
If you have submitted all this information to the AGD, you may expect payment in your account within the next two (2) to three (3) pay cycles.
