General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has assured pensioners that the 2025 Old Age Pension books are being printed and will be ready for distribution in December 2024. The books will feature enhanced security measures to prevent tampering and fraud, a move aimed at restoring integrity to the pension delivery system.
The announcement was made during his weekly press conference moments ago and follows delays in the regular distribution of pension books due to an ongoing investigation by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security into unauthorized and counterfeit Old Age Pension books. Minister of Human Services, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, had earlier requested the Guyana Police Force to launch a probe after the discovery of counterfeit books, which had compromised the system’s accountability.
To address these concerns, the Ministry announced that the 2025 books will be distributed in December, alongside efforts to align their distribution with the encashment of December 2025 vouchers. A detailed schedule outlining distribution dates and locations will be shared across all media platforms in the coming weeks.
Additionally, 3,000 Old Age Pension books for 2024, featuring upgraded security features, will be available from November 25, 2024, for pensioners who have yet to collect theirs.
The Ministry highlighted that the number of pensioners has risen significantly, surpassing 70,000 over the past three years. In response, it is encouraging pensioners to opt for direct deposits into their bank accounts, which provide a more secure and convenient alternative to pension books. Deposits are made within the first five days of each month, eliminating the need for physical vouchers.
While the investigation into the counterfeit pension books continues, the Ministry expressed regret for the delays caused but reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a secure and reliable system. The enhanced security features in the new pension books are expected to deter fraudulent activities and protect pensioners’ benefits.
The findings of the Guyana Police Force’s investigation into the fake books are still pending. However, the Ministry has emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the pension delivery system and safeguarding the welfare of pensioners moving forward.
