RAMSBURY, Nevis – WORSHIPPERS marking the 31st Anniversary of the Federation’s Social Security Service on Sunday at the Shiloh Baptist Church were told that the system is based on sound biblical principles.
Social Security’s Walter Morton said he was convinced of this when he read the book of Genesis.
“Let us go back to Egypt and remember the seven years of plenty and the seven years of famine. Let us look at the years from 16 to 62 as the years of plenty when you are able to work,” he said.
Morton further said that an individual is considered strong and healthy when he or she is able to provide for his family.
“Social Security takes a little five percent of your income and invests it for you. When you come age 62 - let’s look at this as the beginning of the years of famine - you are not so strong and you are beginning what is called the twilight of your years. Social Security would have an aged pension of your years. Social Security would have an aged pension ready for you which can be anywhere between 30 and 60 percent of your best salary,” Morton told the worshippers.
“If you don’t believe that Social Security works, talk to a pensioner. You probably can talk to Miss Jeanette Hull who said, and I quote, ‘All who are self employed and are not complying with the Social Security Board should think seriously about what they are doing’. No matter what you may have in terms of savings, it may be lost during one severe bout of illness,” Morton said.
He went on to say, “Or you can have a quiet word with Ralph Hutton the taxi driver who said, and I quote, ‘I have always believed in putting something in order to get something out. Since registering and paying self employed coverage, I have no regrets at all. It should have been there ever since. Somebody should have thought of it before.’ Let us suppose that you die before age 62, Social Security takes care of your children up to age 16 to age 18 if they are still going to school or college.”
Morton also said that Social Security takes care of dependent parents and spouses and the less fortunate through the Assistant Pension. He encouraged fellow staffers at Social Security to continue to work hard, and to continue to serve the public and not to be weary of doing good.
The sermon was delivered by Shiloh Baptist Pastor Eric Maynard, who told worshippers to refuel their spiritual well being by creating time for family devotion and worship. He said just as how cell phones require top ups, the spiritual life too needs to be maintained.
Pastor Maynard said those who do not take time to service their spiritual well being could suffer burn out: “When serving others becomes a burden, you need to refuel. When your sense of purpose is lost, you need to go and refuel.”
Pastor Maynard told worshippers that not spending quality time with family members or fellow believers could lead to breakup of relationships. He said believers are encouraged in the bible to refresh themselves by reading psalms. He said good music could also be refreshing.
Among those who attended the service were: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister with responsibility for Social Security, the Hon. Sam Candor; Social Security Director Sephlin Lawrence; Deputy Director Steve Wrensford; Board Chairman Halva Hendrickson; and Board Members Vancelyn Williams, Eslyn Swanston, Frank Farrell, Claudius Deleney and Myrna Liburd.
