KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Effective April 1, the Accountant General’s Department (AGD) will only accept barcoded life certificates from pensioners.

Accountant General, Carlene Murdock, who spoke at a JIS Think Tank on Friday said the document will improve service delivery to pensioners. 

“We started using barcoded life certificates two years ago. It gives us all the information required for the pensioners. When it is scanned, the pensioners’ information is automatically updated, it is authenticated and goes straight into the payroll system,” she said. 

Murdock also urged pensioners to ensure that the required fields on the document are accurately completed.

“We have been [making] the system easier for all of us. We are asking that if you drop a life certificate off, make sure that it is properly filled in and that it is current. We are trying to make the life of the pensioner better in terms of how he or she submits his or her life documents and receive their payment,” she said. 

Meanwhile, Acting Director Pension Administration, Crystal Garvis, appealed to pensioners to submit current life certificates so as not to delay or suspend the payment of pensions.

“We are making an appeal to all pensioners to ensure that they always submit a current life certificate. One way that you can determine if the life certificate that you are about to utilise is current, is by checking the due date,” she pointed out.

Garvis said if pensioners do not have the current life certificate, they should contact the AGD by sending an email to info@treasury.gov.jm or by calling 922-8320-7 or 922-1026 to request a current life certificate.