Option for female teachers to join W&OP

Shirley WIJESINGHE

The amended Schools Teachers' Pension Act will provide Widows and Orphans Pension (W&OP) benefits for female teachers as well, a Pensions Department official said.

The new amendment gives the option for female teachers to join the W&OP scheme too.

Only male teachers were eligible to enjoy W&OP benefits as provided for by amended Act No. 44 of 1953.

It had been made obligatory for the new applicants to contribute to the W&OP scheme from August 01, 1983.

Meanwhile, the deadline for State female employees appointed to a pensionable post after August 01, 1983,to indicate their option to subscribe to the W&OP scheme, has been further extended till June 30,2009 by the Pensions Department circular 06/2009.

Accordingly the categories of employees eligible to indicate their option, are female employees in service, retired female employees willing to state their option and widower, orphans or custodian of orphans who are required furnish General Form 86 'B' when the female employer dies before the deadline.