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Kosrae
Public Forum
At approximately 10:30 on the morning of February 17,
2005, the FSMSS Board of Trustees began its scheduled public forum on
the island of Kosrae. More than two hundred (200) people were gathered
for the forum. The forum took place in the gymnasium of Kosrae High
School. Board members that were present were Chairman Charles Chieng,
At-Large Member Nahoy G. Selifis, Chuuk Representative Bernes O. Reselap,
Kosrae Representative Nena Ned, and board ex-officio member Administrator
Alexander R. Narruhn. Also present at the meeting from the FSMSSA were
Kosrae Branch Manager Charley Palokoa, Kosrae Technical Specialist Dixon
George, and FSMSS Public Information Officer Francky Ilai.
Throughout the course of the forum, Branch Manager Palokoa Charley acted
as translator between the citizens of Kosrae and the trustees.
Chairman Chieng began the forum with the opening remarks. He revealed
that the board had already conducted public forums in the states of
Pohnpei and Chuuk and that the board intends to do a forum on each state
at least once a year. The current theme of the FSMSSA is “Educating
and Ensuring Future Security for all Working Citizens” and Mr.
Chieng stated how the forums played an important part in the FSMSSA’s
continuing efforts to increase the public’s awareness of the FSMSSA.
Mr. Chieng, recognizing the presence of students in the audience, turned
the floor over to the Administrator to give a brief description of the
FSMSSA for the students who may be unaware of the nuances of the program.
Administrator Narruhn began with the history of the program, from its
origin, through its transition period, to the present day. Mr. Narruhn
then went on to reveal that the program is governed by its board of
trustees whose members are nominated by congress, confirmed by the president,
and serve three-year terms. The FSMSSA has four branch offices for each
state with a headquarters office headed by the administrator. The FSMSSA
is funded solely by taxes paid by people working within the FSM. Funding
is not provided by the National Government like other agencies. After
going over the structure of the program and the manner in which things
are carried out at the FSMSSA, Mr. Narruhn went over the benefits that
are offered by the program. He went over retirement, disability, survivor
and lump sum benefits. He explained the requirements of each benefit,
their respective application processes, required documents, and terms
and conditions that would affect each benefit once it has been granted,
i.e. death of a beneficiary that would result in benefits stopping.
Mr. Narruhn went over in great detail the FSMSSA taxation that is governed
by law.
After this, the floor was opened up for questions and answers.
Click HERE
for pictures from the forum.
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