SZV – Social & Health Insurances
The Social & Health Insurances (SZV) covers the healthcare costs of approximately 22 thousand Sint Maartener’s: two-thirds of the population (STAT, Census 2011).
SZV is an executing agency which was established by law on October 4, 2010 (AB 2013, GT no. 69) but fully operational from 2011. SZV is a semi-independent governing body that executes the administration and management of the National Health and Social Insurance Schemes of Sint Maarten. Among others, the SZV administers and manages the General Old-Age insurance. The General Old-Age insurance (AOV, AB 2013 GT no. 520), is a compulsory insurance which guarantees those persons who have reached retirement age a basic pension to minimally meet their basic needs.
AOV (Old Age Pension)
AOV stands for “Algemene Ouderdomsverzekering”. It is a general insurance, based on the principle of solidarity, which guarantees a basic pension to those who have reached retirement age.
Solidarity principle means that:
Anyone who enjoys an income in the (former) Netherlands Antilles must pay AOV Premium.
Everyone who has lived in the (former) Netherlands Antilles is entitled to AOV benefits regardless of nationality or employment status.
Who
Anyone who has been insured for AOV and has reached the pensionable age, is entitled to receive AOV. You are insured when you lived registered in the (former) Netherlands Antilles and/or were declaring income tax in the (former) Netherlands Antilles. As a result of 10-10-10 every island of the former Netherlands Antilles has to pay only for the portion of pension equivalent to the years build up on that specific island.
AOV pensionable age
All who is born before 1958 can apply at 60 years.
All who is born in 1958, 1959 and in 1960 until and includingJune 30th can apply at 62 years.
All who is born as of July 1st 1960 and up can apply at 65 years.
Please note:
The AOV benefit is granted upon application.
The benefit amount depends on the number of years that you have been a resident of the (former) Netherlands Antilles before reaching the retirement age. It is NOT based on the years employed or the amount of years you paid AOV premium (tax).
Everybody’s pension amount is different.
If you start collecting AOV pension you can continue working.
SZV will only be paying for the years that were build up on the island of St. Maarten. If you have lived on one of the other islands of the former Netherlands Antilles, you will have to also apply for your pension overthere.
For more information see: www.szv.sx and via email: benefits@szv.sx
Explanation about rquirements for AOV can be found at: AOV-Requirements
The AOV request form can be downloaded from the page: customer-service-forms