The government, through the Ministry of Information, Culture Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) has officially responded to claims made by former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor regarding her benefits, asserting that she has not been receiving her entitled benefits.
Contrary to her public statements, the government also urged Howard-Taylor to submit a formal complaint if she believes there are discrepancies in her entitlements or is yet to receive a dime since the inception of this administration.
Recently appearing on Spoon Talk, Madam Jewel Howard-Taylor, who served as Vice President to former president George Weah from 2018 until the end of their term in 2023, expressed concerns about the non-receipt of her benefits, which she stated are her entitlements by law.
Madam Howard-Taylor also disclosed that since her exit from the position as VP, she is only being paid as a former Senator rather than a former VP, revealing that she is yet to receive official vehicle or staffing support, despite multiple written appeals to the current administration.
However, the former VP statements have quickly garnered attention, leading to serious public speculation and debates about President Joseph Boakai government’s handling of benefits for all former officials in violation of Section 1.4.2 of Part 1 of the 1972 Executive Law, Title 12, Liberian Codes Revised, Volume 3, Page 342.
It states, “An ex-Vice President who has honorably retired to private life or who is not in any way employed by the Government shall receive from the Government annuity of 50% of the salary he received while in office; 50% of such annuity shall be paid after his death to his widow and on the death of the widow, or if there is no widow, in equal portions to each of his minor children.”
Critics also expressed support for Howard-Taylor, citing the need for better communication and transparency from the government regarding benefits and entitlements, and added that the government should take proactive measures to ensure that all former officials are fully aware of their rights and benefits.
But addressing the MICAT regular press briefing, Information Minister, Jerolinmek Piah emphatically clarified that the former VP is receiving her entitled retirement benefits and that the government does not owe her a cent.
According to the MICAT Boss, Madam Taylor is currently benefiting from two pension schemes, one from the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP) and another from the Civil Service Agency (CSA) under the old non-contributory pension system.
Minister Piah further narrated that this arrangement is consistent with what is provided to all former presidents and vice presidents, emphasizing, “Let it be known that the government has been diligent in ensuring that all former officials receive their benefits.”
“So, if there are specific claims of benefits that the former VP is supposed to receive and is not receiving, as she claimed in her radio interview, we encourage her to make a formal claim, and the government is ready to look into that matter,” the Minister maintained.
Piah also added that while the government has a complete listing of individuals receiving such benefits, including former VP Howard-Taylor, details remain confidential due to privacy concerns.
The Minister at the same time urged Madam Taylor to formally document any additional concerns so they can be addressed through the appropriate channels, and not to appear on radio interviews to tarnish the image of the government.
Meanwhile, leaked financial documents in the possession of the Inquirer Newspaper have further shown that former VP Jewel Howard-Taylor has been receiving her retirement benefits since leaving office in January 2024, despite her public denial.
The financial records show that for the month of March 2025, Madam Howard-Taylor as a former VP received a net payment of US$782.52, which represents her 70% net Liberian dollar-based entitlement.
Also, she received L$66,311.52 as part of the net 30% local currency portion of her benefits; the total gross benefits for Madam Howard-Taylor for the month of March 2025 was US$1,432.35 while net benefits amounted to US$1,117.88 after a tax deduction of US$314.47.
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