On June 1, 2021, the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and Guernsey in the field of social security (hereinafter - the Agreement) enters into force. The agreement affects the field of pensions.
The right to a Guernsey pension for those living in Latvia
If a resident of Latvia has lived and worked in Guernsey, the Agreement gives this person the opportunity to claim an old-age pension from Guernsey. In order to qualify for a Guernsey pension, you must meet the retirement age and the required length of insurance period set out in Guernsey law (see https://www.gov.gg/article/163185/Working--Retiring#selectednavItem163199 for more information)
If a person's Guernsey insurance period is less than what is provided for by Guernsey's national legislation, then the Guernsey party can use the Latvian insurance periods approved by the competent Latvian institution in determining the right to a pension.
Guernsey old-age pension is calculated only for periods of insurance accumulated in Guernsey.
In order to receive a Guernsey old-age pension, a person living in Latvia must apply to the State Social Insurance Agency (hereinafter - SSIA) and submit a request for the granting of a Guernsey old-age pension (the forms are available on the website of the State Social Insurance Agency in the section for Services in accordance with the Latvian-Guernsey Agreement in the field of social security). The completed forms and required information will be forwarded by SSIA to the competent authority in Guernsey for review If a Guernsey pension is granted, it will be paid to a Latvian bank account specified by the person - usually every month for the previous month.
The right to a Latvian pension for people living in Guernsey
If a resident of Guernsey has accumulated insurance periods in Latvia, then the Agreement gives this person the opportunity to request an old-age pension from Latvia, taking into account the retirement age and the required length of insurance provided by Latvian law. Also, a disabled family member (child) who has lost a breadwinner may be entitled to a Latvian survivor's pension for the accumulated insurance period of the deceased breadwinner in Latvia.
If the Latvian insurance period is not sufficient for the right to receive the Latvian old-age or survivor's pension, then the Guernsey insurance periods approved by the Guernsey competent institution are also taken into account when determining the right.
The Latvian pension is calculated only for the insurance period accumulated in Latvia.
In order to receive a Latvian pension, a person who lives in Guernsey must apply to the competent institution of Guernsey - the Office of the Committee for Employment & Social Security and fill out a pension request, which must be accompanied by documents confirming the periods of work and equivalent periods in Latvia, as well as other documents, which are necessary for granting the specific type of pension. The received request and documents will be forwarded to SSIA. If a Latvian pension is granted, it will be paid to a Guernsey resident's bank account in Guernsey each month.