Vanuatu

Old Age, Disability, and Survivors

Regulatory Framework

First and current law: 1986 (provident fund), implemented in 1987.

Type of program: Provident fund system.

Coverage

Persons in regular employment, including members of cooperatives and persons working abroad for firms registered in Vanuatu.

Noncitizens may apply to the Provident Fund Board for exemption if covered by another country's social security scheme.

Voluntary coverage for persons without mandatory coverage, including employed persons.

Exclusions: Persons covered under employer-provided retirement programs approved by the Provident Fund Board; home-based workers; and certain other categories including prisoners, patients in psychiatric hospitals, and temporary workers in agriculture and forestry with employment contracts of less than two months.

Source of Funds

Insured person: At least 4% of monthly earnings (additional voluntary contributions are possible). Voluntarily insured persons pay 1,000 vatu to 10,000 vatu a month.

The minimum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 3,000 vatu.

Self-employed person: 1,000 vatu to 10,000 vatu a month.

Employer: 4% of monthly payroll.

The minimum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 3,000 vatu.

Government: None.

Qualifying Conditions

Old-age benefit: Age 55; at any age if emigrating permanently (noncitizens or citizens who relinquish citizenship). If the member has withdrawn any amount and makes additional contributions after age 55, no withdrawal is allowed until two years after the date of the last withdrawal, unless the member retires or dies.

Disability benefit: Must have a permanent incapacity for any employment due to a physical or mental disability.

Two registered medical practitioners approved by the Medical Board committee assess the disability.

Survivor benefit: Paid when a fund member dies before withdrawing his or her funds.

If the fund member was married, eligible survivors include the spouse, children, the deceased's dependent parents, the deceased son's widow and children. If the fund member was not married, eligible survivors include persons named by the deceased.

Special Death Benefit: Paid when a fund member dies.

Old-Age Benefits

Old-age benefit: A lump sum of total employee and employer contributions plus accrued interest is paid.

Interest rate adjustment: The Provident Fund Board sets the rate annually depending on the financial performance of the fund.

Permanent Disability Benefits

Disability benefit: A lump sum of total employee and employer contributions plus accrued interest is paid.

Interest rate adjustment: The Provident Fund Board sets the rate annually depending on the financial performance of the fund.

Survivor Benefits

Survivor benefit: A lump sum of total employee and employer contributions plus accrued interest is paid.

Interest rate adjustment: The Provident Fund Board sets the rate annually depending on the financial performance of the fund.

Special Death Benefit: A lump sum of up to 230,000 vatu is paid, depending on the number of years of contributions.

Administrative Organization

Ministry of Finance provides general supervision.

Provident Fund Board (http://www.vnpf.com.vu/), managed by a six-member tripartite board with a general manager, administers the program.

Provident Fund Board appoints a commercial fund manager and sets the investment criteria.

Sickness and Maternity

Regulatory Framework

First and current law: 1983 (labor law).

Type of program: Employer-liability system.

Coverage

Employed persons.

Source of Funds

Insured person: None.

Self-employed person: None.

Employer: The total cost.

Government: None.

Qualifying Conditions

Cash sickness and maternity benefits: Must have at least six months of continuous employment with the same employer.

Medical benefits: Must reside on the employer's property.

Sickness and Maternity Benefits

Sickness benefit: 100% of the employee's normal wages is paid for up to 21 days a year.

Maternity benefit: 66% of the employee's normal wages is paid for six weeks before and six weeks after childbirth. Employers are required to allow a mother to interrupt work twice a day for an hour to feed a nursing child until the child reaches age 2.

Workers' Medical Benefits

Necessary first aid treatment and transportation to the nearest hospital or clinic is provided.

Dependents' Medical Benefits

Medical benefits for dependents are the same as those for employees. Dependents must reside with the employee on the employer's property.

Administrative Organization

Department of Labour, under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, administers the program.

Unemployment

Regulatory Framework

No statutory benefits are provided for unemployment.

The 1983 Employment Act requires employers to provide one month of severance pay for each year of employment. Employees are eligible after one year of work.