The Social Security Board (SSB) held a media mixer to address questions about fund management, reporting a $45 million surplus alongside a warning about rising pension commitments.
SSB Chief Executive Officer Jerome Palma described the mixer as an effort towards transparency, aiming to clear up public misconceptions about benefit payouts, contribution collections, and fund investments.
While the $45 million surplus comes from contribution payments, supported by a 95% compliance rate, Palma warned of a major financial shift to come. Pension payouts alone jumped by $8 million in 2025.
Palma stated that the extra $8 million “will be paid moving forward for the rest of the life of beneficiaries”, projecting that in three to five years, those costs will quickly add “$35 to $40 million of additional benefits” to SSB’s yearly payout balance.
As part of its five-year plan, SSB is also expanding its digital platforms to streamline its services. Through the upgraded online portal, Belizeans can now submit retirement benefit claims, maternity claims, and funeral grants digitally. The SSB mobile app also gives workers direct access to review up to 40 years of contribution history.
These online upgrades give workers a direct way to keep track of their employers. If a worker sees missing payments on the app, they can report it anonymously through the SSB website. Such reports prompt an official SSB investigation, where officers review payroll books and meet with staff to make sure unpaid funds are collected.
Palma also stated that open engagement with the media is essential to keeping the public informed as SSB navigates its five-year plan of balancing digital self-service with long-term fund sustainability.
