PHILIPSBURG--Social and Health Insurances SZV will launch its AOV Pension Status Survey today, Monday, October 15, and the insurance service provider aims to reach more than 6,000 persons within the six-month survey period.
Sint Maarten residents, who receive AOV pension payments from SZV have an obligation to participate in the survey, the insurance service provider said in a press statement over the weekend.
The survey period will end in March 2019. AOV recipients must participate in person and must present a valid Sint Maarten identification card or passport. Persons who are unable to participate due to medical reasons can contact SZV to request a house visit, while persons on vacation abroad during the survey period should contact SZV to inform them.
SZV said it is obligated by law to conduct compliance controls for the funds managed. Recipients of AOV pension are urged to execute their civic duty by complying to participate, as is stated in Articles 34 and 35 of the National Ordinance AOV.
The survey is a compliance control method, which is not uncommon. Social Insurance Bank SVB, SZV’s predecessor, also carried out similar surveys in St. Maarten for the same purpose.
For AOV recipients residing abroad, compliance controls are conducted in the form of recipients having to submit periodic “life certificates” to SZV. For recipients living in Dutch St. Maarten, this is not an option. Conducting a periodic survey such as this, remedies this situation, while ensuring that both SZV and the customer remain compliant.
The survey project offers several benefits to current and future pension recipients. Data collected will allow SZV to ensure that the funds are properly managed. Registration of deaths and persons who have moved is often an outcome of such surveys. Unfortunately, SZV is not always notified in a timely manner of these events. Recipients of AOV have an obligation to report changes in their civil status, address and contact information. This is not always adhered to by many. Data collected also enables SZV to further execute its advisory function to government as it pertains to legislation and programmes designed for these target groups.
The survey information and schedule are available on the website www.szv.sx and will be available through various communication channels.
Participants can visit one of the two survey locations between 8:00am and 4:00pm from Monday to Saturday, based on a schedule – according to their birth month. The survey locations will be from Monday to Friday at Senior Citizens Recreational Centre in Hope Estate, and on Saturdays at the SZV office. SZV will have an on-site service desk offering general information and the opportunity to schedule appointments for other services, such as insurance card renewals.
Persons born in the months of July, August and September, should visit a survey location between October 15 and October 27. Persons born in the months of October, November and December, should visit a survey location between November 5 and November16. Persons born in the months of January, February and March, should visit a survey location between January 28 and February 9.
Persons born in April, May and June should visit a survey location between March 18 and March 30.
Additional information can be obtained by visiting website www.szv.sx or by contacting SZV customer service.
