Published 10th January 2006, 12:26pm

Workers and employers may now access in-depth general information on their national pension plans by logging on to the National Pension Office's (NPO) newly-created website: www.npo.gov.ky or www.gov.ky/npo. Clients may also use this new facility to communicate with the office and clarify any questions or issues regarding their retirement savings. The site, which is streamlined and easy to navigate, may also be found as a link on the official national website www.gov.ky under the Government Websites Directory, and speed-search under the letter 'N'. Speaking of the project, which became a reality only after several setbacks, Superintendent of Pensions, Cyril Theriault said, "This site was envisaged pre-Ivan as an important communication and educational tool. We believe that the final product is very crisp and clean." Packed with information, the 'Employees' section of the website offers facts on eligibility for participation, changing plans, refunds, as well as other vital data. Another section details 'Employers' Responsibilities,' in addition to providing listings of the four major national certified multi-employer plans, as well as two plans vying for registration (and links to their web-sites where available); and an in-depth 'Administrators' section which includes the National Pension Law, various regulations, as well as meeting reports. The site also contains the membership of the National Pensions Board, definitions of key words, and answers some frequently-asked questions. Blank forms are also available on the site, as well as an employer survey form, press releases and public information. While most workers in the Cayman Islands are covered under the six major multi-employer plans, there are in excess of 165 local pension plans registered with the NPO. Total membership is 25- to 30,000 people, including those who have left the Islands within the last two years, and those who have more than one pension plan. Noting that the site will continue to evolve to meet identified needs, Mr. Theriault added, "We hope to add more information to the Administrator's section in the form of Guidance and Administrative notes and have already canvassed the pension community and the Board to see what their priorities will be. Forms will be added as they are revised". Mr. Theriault expressed appreciation to the work of Pensions Inspector Pierre Lautischer, who coordinated the website project. He also congratulated the site developers, government's Computer Services Department: "They did a very good job for us and in a timely manner. We wanted it prior to the start of the New Year and they delivered," he said. Coinciding with the website launch, the NPO also unveiled their new logo, another Computer Services design.