SSB Holds Public Consultations on Contribution Changes… But Are People Hearing About It?

The Social Security Board (SSB) is currently making its way across Belize, holding a series of stakeholder consultations aimed at gathering public input on potential changes to how social security contributions are calculated and possibly increasing rates.

On February 26, the SSB released a 22-second video announcing consultations scheduled across nine areas of the country. The first stop on that list was Belize City, where residents were expected to be consulted on March 5. That date has now come and gone, more than a month ago.

The consultation schedule continued throughout March, with sessions also listed for Santa Elena, Corozal, Orange Walk, and Independence. Now in April, the consultations continue, with San Pedro listed for a session this week, followed by Placencia on April 14 and Punta Gorda on April 16.

At stake in these discussions are some significant questions about how Belizeans and their employers contribute to the national social security system. Topics on the table include how contributions are calculated, how the split between employer and employee rates is structured, and whether the contributions floor should be raised. For workers across the country, any changes to these figures could directly affect their take-home pay and their long-term benefits.

Yet for residents hoping to participate, finding out the basic details of when and where to show up has not been straightforward.

The February video, which served as the primary public announcement, ran for just 22 seconds. It listed locations and dates but provided no information on the time or venue for any of the consultations. On the SSB’s official website, a banner acknowledges that consultations are underway but directs those seeking further details to email the board’s communications officer.

Sponsored flyers have appeared on Facebook feeds, though they are not easily found on the SSB’s official Facebook page. One flyer extended an invitation to Punta Gorda residents, citing a 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. session at the SSB’s Punta Gorda branch, but listed the date as April 30, not the April 16 date that appeared in the original video.

Another flyer, for Orange Walk, showed a session date of April 14 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the El Gran Mestizo Resort, though Orange Walk had been listed in the original schedule for a March session.

Whether additional flyers were distributed in other areas or whether some dates have simply shifted remains unclear.

Meanwhile, SSB has pinned a notice on its Facebook page promoting a live-streamed stakeholder consultation set for April 16 at 1:30 pm, offering at least one avenue for members of the public who cannot attend in person.

On its official website, under the “Events” tab, the SSB describes the purpose of the consultations as discussing two proposed amendments: “changing from a wage-based system to a percentage-based system to calculate contributions and raising the contribution floor to $130.” 

A link to view the full presentation on the proposed changes is also available there.