EZpay+ and Surepay join the New Flexible Contribution Arrangement to remove the two key barriers to NIS compliance among self-employed Barbadians and deliver income protection across Barbados’ growing informal economy
BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS — The National Insurance and Social Security Service (NISSS) today announced the expansion of National Insurance (NIS) contribution payment options for self-employed persons in Barbados, with contributions now accepted through the Government of Barbados online payment portal, EZpay+ (www.ezpay.gov.bb), and the bill payment service Surepay, available online at www.surepaybills.com and in person at some 35 locations island-wide. Both platforms offer 24-hour, seven-day access and accept debit card, credit card, bank account and other payment options.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Labour, Social Security and the Third Sector, the Honourable Colin Jordan, MP at the official media launch of the “Self-Employed & Secure Community” Engagement Programme, a national outreach and registration initiative aimed at expanding social security coverage among self-employed Barbadians while strengthening the long-term sustainability of the National Insurance Fund. As part of the launch, the Self-Employed Unit (SEU) of NISSS also hosted its first ever Self-Employed & Secure Roadshow with stops in Speightstown, Six Men’s Bay and Mile and A Quarter, bringing expert information and on-the-spot registration services directly to the self-employed community of St. Peter.
Minister Jordan confirmed that new contribution payment innovation completed a two-part response to barriers that have historically kept self-employed Barbadians outside the National Insurance Scheme. The first was establishment of the New Flexible Arrangement, introduced as part of the Government of Barbados’ wider Pension Revitalisation programme. The new contribution payment regime replaced a rigid quarterly contribution schedule which disadvantaged self-employed persons with seasonal incomes, with a system permitting contribution payments to NISSS at any time and in any amount throughout the year within prescribed minimum and maximum contribution levels, without completing a contribution schedule form. Today’s expansion removes the second barrier: Access to convenient, affordable payment channels.
“This Government acts. Today’s announcement will make it easier than ever for every self-employed person in Barbados to protect their future. The National Insurance Scheme was built for every Barbadian — and through EZpay+ and Surepay, we are ensuring that no self-employed person is excluded from it by the inconvenience of access.”
The Honourable Colin Jordan, MP
MINISTER OF LABOUR, SOCIAL SECURITY AND THE THIRD SECTOR
Barbados’ informal economy is evolving rapidly. Self-employment — spanning tradespeople, creative practitioners, consultants, private service vehicle operators, vendors, fisherfolk, gig workers, and the many Barbadians who make ends meet by operating solo enterprises and side-hustles outside of traditional employment contracts — now represents a growing segment of the potential NISSS contributor base. However, a significant proportion of self-employed persons have historically remained outside the scheme, without access to sickness, maternity, invalidity, or retirement benefits. NISSS expects the combined effect of the Flexible Arrangement and expanded payment channels to support meaningful increases in both the volume of self-employed contributors and the dollar value of contributions to the National Insurance Fund, strengthening its actuarial foundations for the long term.
“The Self-Employed Unit was created to close the social security gap for self-employed Barbadians, and the expansion of payment options announced today is a critical part of that work. Barbados’ informal economy is evolving rapidly, and our role as NISSS is to evolve with it — to ensure that the men and women who power this economy on their own terms have access to the income protection and retirement security that every contributor deserves.”
Ms. Kim Tudor
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NATIONAL INSURANCE AND SOCIAL SECURITY SERVICE
The payment expansion forms part of the Self-Employed and Secure Community Engagement Programme, spearheaded by the NISSS Self-Employed Unit (SEU). Since the Unit’s establishment in March 2025, over 3,000 self-employed persons have registered with NISSS. Registration is free in person at the NISSS’s Culloden Road, St. Michael office, online at www.nis.gov.bb.
Self-employed persons can also seek more information on how to use new payment options by calling the Self-Employed Unit at 431-7400, or the NISSS Customer Contact Centre at 467-4647.
Full payment guidance, including the steps required before making a first Surepay payment, is available in the accompanying Frequently Asked Questions document.
