Sustainable funds depend upon factors such as life expectancy, infant mortality and fertility rates.
When reviewed by the N.I.S Statistics Department, the island s life expectancy rates were observed to have increased, while the infant mortality and fertility rates decreased. This, officials said, could impact on the number of contributors to the N.I.S and the amount of funds that the insurance scheme receives. With regard to the increase in the pensionable age Miss Hippolyte said that it will not be implemented immediately, but will be carried out over a fifteen-year period. The company stresses that it is mandatory that all persons in the workforce pay their N.I.S contributions. This responsibility is deemed necessary, especially for the younger population, who might not be planning ahead for retirement presently, but whose contributions will be essentially required in the future.