Dear Editor,
I was born on the 30th April, 1946 and according to my calculation I finished 64 years as of 30th April 2010 and as from the 1st May 2010 I have entered or I have attained 65 years of age. I applied for my old age pension in May 2010 but was told by the staff at the pension department at the Ministry of Human Services that I have to wait for one year before I would start to receive my pension. I was shown the Laws of Guyana Chapter 36:03 which says “upon attaining 65 years of age”. This law was explained to me to mean that I finished 64 years 3 months and that I am not yet 65 years until after 30th April 2010. Mr. Editor I have checked the Nuttall’s Standard Dictionary of the English Language and the word attain means to reach, to arrive etc.
According to my perception after 30th April 2010 and on the 1st May 2010 I have reached or arrived or attained 65 years of age. To wait until the end of 30th April 2011 for my pension means I would have to finish 65 years of age and I would be given pension at 66.
Mr. Editor, I would like to have comments from the public on this issue.
Yours faithfully,
J. Kadaru
