The idea of a Golden Citizens Program was first introduced and discussed by Social Security Management in November 1999. The Program was closely examined and considered in mid-2000.
The Proposal initially aimed to improve the lives of Social Security’s Retirement Pensioners, however, the Board made the decision to work toward helping ALL persons 65 years old and over. The number of persons accessing negotiated benefits will vary from 0 to 13,000 depending on your business type and location(s).
During public consultations, the Board became aware that because of the Social Security Scheme’s young age, a significant segment of Belize’s senior generation was not able to qualify for Social Security Pension. Although, by law, Social Security was not obligated to take care of this group, the Board decided to invest in setting up the Golden Citizens Program throughout Belize
Because the success of this program depends on the generous participation of businesses, institutions, and persons countrywide, the project description has also changed somewhat from its initial form. The program entails obtaining financial and other benefits; special services and privileges; information on existing programs and activities available; and the re-engendering of respect for Belize’s Golden Citizen.
Social Security is providing the administrative structure for the continued development of the program. We are providing the Gold Card to Golden Citizens, the Gold Decal to participating organizations, the Human Resources and other resources for getting more businesses to join, and the finances for public information. As an institution, our benefit package to the Golden Citizen included: a moratorium in 2001 on the time restriction for retirement benefit claims; that is, late claims for retirement pensions received in 2001, were paid from the time the claimant qualified for his / her benefit. We also give priority customer service to the Golden Citizens at all our offices.
Public information is disseminated annually to inform Golden Citizens of the Program as well as to acknowledge participating businesses. Publicity for the businesses is given in a handbook published annually, on Social Security’s web site, in newspaper ads, and on Posters. Recruitment publicity is done on radio, television and through direct correspondence with local businesses.
It is important that businesses set in place regulations and limitations to some of the benefits (especially financial) that they offer, in order to protect themselves from abuse. We encourage businesses to display the flyers provided near the Gold Decal. It is also very important for the Golden Citizen to realize that the program is in place to help him / her not his or her entire family. The fact that a business may inform the Golden Citizen that they have a limit on the items or amount on which they can get a discount, needs to be respected by the Golden Citizen, since the business’s participation is voluntary and a goodwill gesture. A Golden Citizen should feel free to ask at the beginning and even before shopping at the participating business, what are the rules and limitations to the discounts being offered, so they don’t face a problem with finances by assuming that the discount is limitless.
Golden Citizens will know which are the participating businesses by the Gold Decal displayed at that Business, that reads “This Establishment Honours our Golden Citizens”. A business can recognize a Golden Citizen when that person presents his / her Gold Card.
Businesses or Golden Citizens wanting to know more about the Golden Citizens Program can contact any Social Security office or Ms. Alba Franco, Program Coordinator, at Bliss Parade, Belmopan or by telephoning at 822-2163.