According to UNESCAP’s Disabilty report 2015, The Marshall Islands is home to 6,210 persons living with disabilities. In order to ensure access to basic income support for this group the Government of The Marshall Islands introduced a disability pension social insurance scheme in 1990. The scheme aims to guarantee income support for insured persons who are no longer able to work due to disability and is managed by The Marshall Islands Social Security Administration (MISSA).
The disability pension scheme is available to working age adults who are currently insured, meaning that they have had earnings during at least six quarters of coverage during the most recent 40 quarters ending with the quarter when the worker acquired the disability. In order to be eligible, claimants must provide proof of medical examination from a MISSA approved source certifying that they are no longer able to perform their duties due to mental or physical impairment. The level of coverage is calculated based on previous earnings at the rate of 2 per cent of indexed covered earnings, plus 14.5 per cent of the first USD11,000 of cumulative covered earnings, plus 0.7 per cent of cumulative covered earnings greater than USD11,000 and up to USD44,000. The minimum monthly payment is currently set at USD129. The transfer is paid until retirement or death, at which time retirement or survivor benefits become available. Complementing this scheme, MISSA also provides a monthly transfer to eligible children who acquire a disability before age twenty two, which is paid for the duration of the disability.
The Marshall Islands’ disability pension is upheld by the Social Security Act of 1990. The Marshall Islands’ recent ratification of the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in March 2015, demonstrates a renewed State commitment to advance the position of persons with disabilities on the islands. While the disability pension reaches those who have contributed, those who acquire a disability without insurance are not eligible for this essential income support. Nonetheless, schemes such as the disability pension are fundamental in building The Marshall Islands’ social protection floor to ensure that all in need have access to basic income security, including persons with disabilities.
Further Reading:
- Marshall Islands Social Security Administration (2011). Independent Auditor’s Report. Accessed from: http://www.rmioag.com/files/RMI/Component%20Units/Marshall%20Islands%20Social%20Secutiy%20Administration%20(FY2011)/Financial%20Statement%20%20[Final%20June%205%202012].pdf on February 18 2016.