A Brief History of the Dominica Social Security

In the year 1971, as part of its quest to provide a level of social protection for workers and their dependants, the government introduced the National Provident Fund (NPF). Under this arrangement, workers in Dominica were required to contribute 5% their income to the Fund. Their contribution was matched with another 5% contributed on their behalf by their employers. The NPF operated along similar lines with commercial banks in that the contributions paid into the fund were treated as savings which attracted a 3% rate of interest. Upon retirement, the Insured Person was given a lump-sum refund of all of his contributions along with the accrued interest.

The NPF program did not provide adequate income security for the working population and hence, in 1976, Government, with the assistance of the International Labor Organization introduced the Dominica Social Security program with a more comprehensive benefit package. Coverage was provided only for employees and Voluntary Contributors. However, in 1989, coverage was extended to Self-employed persons, thereby making it mandatory for ALL CATEGORIES OF WORKING PERSONS IN DOMINICA between the ages of 16 and the Retirement Age to be registered and insured under the program.

All persons who were registered under the NPF automatically became insured under the Social Security program, and their contributions converted to Social Security Credits.