FSM Social Security Administration

Beginning of October 2018, Polly Meika was hired as the new Technical Specialist at the FSM Social Security Chuuk Branch Office. He attended COM-FSM beginning year 2015 and attained his Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration in  2017. He continued with the 3rd year program and attained his Third Year Certificate in General Business a year later. Polly was chosen out of the many applicants who applied for his qualifications best suits the requirements of the position. The administration is confident that he would be able to use his knowledge and skills to meet the goals of a Technical Specialist at the branch office. Upon being hired, Polly felt privileged to be serving the people of the FSM. He looked forward to carrying out the job goals and meeting its needs.

Furthermore, Polly likes working with people and could be of great company. His outspoken mind and open handed skills could be of asset to the FSM Social Security Administration. His friendliness will be of great instance as he serves the beneficiaries and people of Chuuk. He enjoys the company of family and friends in his free time.

FSMSSA welcomes Mr. Polly Meika aboard and looks forward to attain support and good deeds that he would contribute to the system.

On August 28, 2018, FSMSSA Deputy Administrator Francky Ilai attended the International Women’s conference held in Pohnpei at the College of Micronesia, FSM- China Friendship gym. Every year this conference was held, and women all over Micronesia come together to attend and learn from each other, as well share ideas and issues needed for awareness. This year’s theme was: “Continue to build and support social development that is inclusive for women across FSM”. The objectives of the conference included providing a platform where women from the four states can come together and engage in discussions on matters/issues affecting them, to have a forum where FSM national and state level stakeholders can harmonize their understanding and status of women’s issues in relation to different policy frameworks at the national, regional and international level and to unify the collective efforts of the country’s response to resolving women’s issues, and to engage the participants of the forum with resource people in different fields to uplift the level of understanding and support for women and girls in FSM. Deputy Administrator Ilai made a presentation that touched on issues relevant to women as stakeholder in Social Security. Generally he shared the history of the program since its establishment, along with its financial status and performances. He further touched on the types of benefits offered and specifics of eligibilities. Part of the presentation was based on taxes paid. Ilai as well shared the challenges the program had been or is faced with, as shown in the diagram below.

After all, questions were then raised for clarifications.

FSM Social Security Administrator Alexander R. Narruhn attended the FSM Resources and Development Conference at the Pohnpei State Governor’s Conference Hall on August 15, 2018. It was a nation-wide meeting coordinated by the Department of Resource and Development, involving relevant offices at both national and state levels, with participation from civil society and the private sector, to address issues impeding concerted efforts for social and economic development in the FSM. The objective of the conference emphasized the need to work together for better results.

The purpose of the conference resulted in the need to sharing ideas and agreeing on specific means to contribute toward coordinated implementation of activities to support our overall goals for social and economic development. In line with that, it occurred that presentations were given by different government agencies, both national and state levels, as well as other NGO’s.

The FSMSSA Administrator delivered his presentation on overall operations of the program. He touched on the history of the FSM Social Security and discussed the financial statements, wage earner counts and the history of Social Security taxes. The history of Social Security Program went way back since 1968 with its establishment under Trust Territory times. Fifteen years later after the dissolution of the Trust Territory Times, it then became the FSM Social Security Administration. Its governing body consisted of the Board of Trustees, a representative from each State level, as well a National representative and Administrator as Ex-Officio. There are 6,000 plus beneficiaries today. As a matter of fact, benefits paid out were always higher than tax paid in. Therefore, the FSMSSA tax division with its regulations are ongoing with their collections even with the challenge of the delinquents and so forth.

FSM Social Security Administrator participated in the Northwest Leadership Conference in Pollap, Chuuk on April 9-11, 2018. Present at the conference were Congress Speaker Simina, Congressman Robson U. Romolow (representative of Northwest Islands), traditional and government leaders of Chuuk State. Administrator Narruhn was invited by Speaker Simina to participate in the event, whereas, a presentation on Social Security matters was presented. Administrator Narruhn presented on the types of benefits offered, which included Retirement, Disability, Spouse and Children, Lump Sum and Foreigners. The processes for each claim were as well presented as well as eligibility criteria on each certain type of benefit. Questions and concerns were raised from the public regards to claim processing and other uncertainties including the number of beneficiaries benefiting from the system as up to date. Currently, FSMSSA is serving 6,640 plus beneficiaries.

The unity conference between 3 Social Security Administrations, namely FSMSSA, ROPSSA, ROPCSPP and MISSA took place in Pohnpei on May 17-18, 2018. Present at the conference were MISSA reps including Administrator Saane Aho, Deputy Administrator & COO Bill Joseph, IT Manager Jr. Joseph and Amelia Timon, Finance Manager. ROPSSA was represented by its Information System Specialist Mr. Jonathan U. Eberdong and Mr. Elliot Udui from the Palau Civil Service Pension Plan (CSPP). FSMSSA Administrator Alexander R. Narruhn and Deputy Francky Ilai were both present along with other staff including Internal Auditor Win Thomas, Tax Admin. Officer Catherine Jonas, IT Manager Midion Neth Jr., Pohnpei Branch Manager Leon Panuelo Jr., Claim Officer Kerman Alten, Comptroller Teresita Dayao, and Executive Assistant Luan Laverne Gilmete. At its onset, Chairman of FSMSSA Board of Trustees Mr. Jack Harris conveyed the welcoming remarks by welcoming everyone and shared the happy day’s greetings to everyone present, then guided the conference to proceed. Following self introductions, the first presentation was given by FSMSSA Deputy focusing on the system’s operations and financial status, even specifically to all its functions serving its beneficiaries and all citizens of the FSM. Exchange of ideas and discussions of unclear business took place as well. When there seemed to be misunderstandings, questions were then raised and exchange of ideas was done. Following FSMSSA was the presentation from ROP, Civil Service Pension Plan (CSPP) delivered by Mr. Udui. As mentioned, the CSPP is a defined benefit program and membership of the plan refers to Palauans and Micronesians who are employed by the National and State Government. In place of a Social Security plan in Palau, they also have this pension plan. No difference than the other Social Security pensions, requirements seemed to be similar. The last presentation for the day was given by the MISSA Administrator Saane Aho sharing almost the same topics from previous presentation along with theirs system’s struggles and hardships. Discussion on their reforms and experience studies was shared as well as its results. There was then another discussion and exchange of ideas on management and so on. Conference was back in session and was opened with the Database Migration presentation given by ROPSSA rep, IT Manager Jonathan. The presentation was focused on the new database migration, that both MISSA and FSMSSA were interested going the same path, when ROPSSA has completed their project. It was obvious that the database migration is being worked on by ROPSSA, so the presentation was to help promote the positivity and handful of the new database compared to what is being used now. With the agreement being made between the two Social Security Administrators, when ROPSSA is completed with their migration project in March, training should take place and there will be sharing for the cost as well. ROPSSA would be migrating to the new database by March 2019, so by then they would be ready to show, and have FSMSSA and MISSA hook up. Until then, training for the new Database shall be ready, as the migrated system will be in place. A round table discussion took place after the presentation where they exchanged questions and answers regarding the Database Migration. All ended with an understanding of what was being discussed. Last presentation of the day was on Investments, delivered by Mr. Ross Fowler, CEO, fi360 Pacific, who assists with the Assessment for FSMSSA Portfolio. Mr. Fowler advised all Social Security Programs on how to assess themselves for improvements. All representatives from MISSA, FSMSSA, ROPCSPP came to an agreement that next meeting/conference should be held in Palau, after the Migration of new Database. It was quite clear why Palau should be the next host following the idea that by that time, the Database should be up and running and it could be a good chance for MISSA and FSMSSA to actually see the completed system while in Palau.

The position of Chuuk Branch Manager was vacant beginning of June 2018 due to the retirement of previous Manager, Mr. Domingko Asor. After a careful selection done by FSMSSA administration, Mr. Jimmy Mori was fortunate to be the individual that best suits the position. His qualifications and especially experience of work in the field of Social Security terms exceeds, leading him to become the new Branch Manager. Mr. Mori was hired at Chuuk Branch Social Security office on November 19, 2001, as the Technical Specialist. He was tasked to be the Assistant Branch Manager for a while until he became the Branch Manager on June 18, 2018. Jimmy had shown dedication and effort in his line of work ever since he began serving the system. With all that, all was paid off that he is now the new Chuuk Branch Manager. Jimmy is a very outgoing and caring person with a personality that shines among his family, friends and colleagues. He has a heart to serve the elders of the FSM, especially the beneficiaries of Social Security. FSMSSA congratulates new Chuuk Branch Manager, Mr. Jimmy Mori.