TRINIDAD & TOBAGO MASONIC PROVIDENT SOCIETY
The Trinidad & Tobago Masonic Provident Society (TTMPS) is one of Freemasons’ charitable organizations created to provide relief to distressed widows, children and relatives of deceased Members in time of their greatest need of financial help.
The Society was founded on September 18th, 1897 by seven (7) Masons, three (3) from English Craft Lodges, three (3) from Scottish Lodges and one (1) from a Scottish Royal Arch Chapter.
It is a separate, independently managed, functioning arm of the Craft, with its own Rules & Regulations.
The Society has been in continuous operation since its inception, and will be one hundred and twenty (120) years old in September of this year.
Special mention must be made of the following members who through their dedication and distinguished service to the Society made it possible for the Society to successfully continue its operations in recent years.
These most recent members were Bro. Angel Acosta, Bro. Arnott Joseph P.M., Bro. Joscelyn “Ivan“ Yee, P.M. and W. Bro. Lennox “Chick” de Nobriga, all now deceased; and, Bro. Michael Lau P.M. who for many years handled the Computerization of the Accounts and monthly production of Members Statements at no cost to the Society.
The Operations of the Society is managed by a Committee of Management comprising six (6) Officers elected annually, a representative of each District and of each Lodge, and not more than ten (10) co-opt members. Sub Committees are appointed to carry out various functions and Auditors are elected annually.
Current Sub Committees are: The Administrative Committee, The Finance Committee and The Rules & Regulations Committee. When necessary, a Death Benefit Committee is appointed to look at improving or increasing the Benefit.
These are Operative Committees which are essential to the continued growth and development of the Society. These Committees report to the Committee of Management.
The Committee of Management meets five (5) times per year or as often as required, and a statutory General meeting is held every year before 31st March for election of its Officers, Auditors and presentation of the Management Report and the Audited Accounts.
No member shall be eligible to serve as President or Vice – President for more than two (2) years, nor as Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Secretary or Assistant Secretary for more than four (4) years.
The objective of the Society is to afford to its members a means of providing some immediate financial provision for those, who by death, are deprived of their support. To achieve this objective, each member pays an entrance fee on joining, and a “Call’ on every death of a member. An additional Call is charged annually to meet administrative expenses.
Some Brethren believe that because they are well off financially, there is no need for joining the TTMPS. To those Brethren, I ask you to please reconsider. Your membership not only helps your family, but another Brother’s family in time of need.
We appreciate that the present Benefit of $10,000 may be meaningless to some of our wealthy families, but can be very important for the dependents of our less -wealthy brethren who have to meet funeral expenses, more so, if, it is after a long and costly illness of our departed brother.
We have also had instances of well-off nominees expressing their thanks for the prompt payment of this Benefit at that crucial time when delays in the release of funds from the estate of the deceased occur.
As Masons, we must also think of our not too well-off brothers, as membership and growth of the Society helps tremendously in not only assisting these families, but also allows for the increase in the Benefit.
Membership is open to all Financial Masons under the Scottish and English Constitutions; and on February 24th, 2003, Masons under the 8th Masonic District, Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts became eligible for membership.
The admission fee at present is $ 30.00, if however, a Mason applies for membership twelve (12) months after his initiation/affiliation to a Lodge, he will be required to pay additional fees.
Also, special conditions will apply to members who are fifty-five (55) years and over. These conditions will not apply if the member joins within three (3) months of his initiation.
A copy of the Rules and Regulations is furnished to each member.
On the death of a Member, the Society pays to the nominee within twenty-four (24) hours of notification, a death benefit which at present is $10,000.00. This benefit is funded by means of a charge against all members, referred to as a “Call” which is currently $20.00
The more Financial Members, the greater the Death Benefit can be offered without having to increase the value of a Call. Viz.:
500 members @ $20 = $10,000.
We presently pay $10,000.
600 @ $20 will allow us to pay $12,000.
700 @ $20will allow us to pay $14,000.
800 @ $20 will allow us to pay $16,000. A target we should aim to achieve.
The most recent increases in the Death Benefit were:
March 2006: $7,500
January 2009: $8,000
March 2012: $10,000
Historical Statistics have proved that No Member has ever paid into the Society, more than the Benefit received by his beneficiary.
Examples:
- A Member joined March 1955, Died April 2008, 53 years Membership.
He paid during his membership a total of 528 calls valued at $4,200. The Benefit paid was $7,500 representing a positive surplus of $3,300
- Another Member joined November 1956, Died January 2011, 54 years Membership.
His contributions covered 556 calls totaling $4,746 The Benefit paid was $8,000 representing
A positive surplus of $3,254
- A member at age 61 was written off ten (10) years ago for arrears of $340. He now wishes to re-join. Based on the Rules and inclusive of the arrears, He must pay $1,660 plus at least five (5) calls in advance equivalent to $100.
This may seem like a lot of money to him, but those of us who remained in the Society paid $1,960 in calls during the period our re-joining member was delinquent. A tidy $300 more.
- Late Applications at age 61: A Brother is now applying for membership after four (4) years of being a mason. Based on our Rules, he is required to pay $1,050 plus at least five (5) calls in advance equivalent to $100.
Had he joined at his Initiation, his contributions (like all of us) would have been $1,060 exclusive of calls in advance.
We also appeal to Lodge Representatives and more so Almoners, to be alert to the well-being of brethren who have fallen into hard times, due to illness and/or financial difficulties, and have found themselves in “Arrears’ or as we say “Un-financial” and subject to be Written Off.
It is at these times that the family is most vulnerable, and the lodge should ensure that this brother’s account is current at all times, thereby ensuring that the benefit is available to the family should he depart to the Grand Lodge above.
Members receive monthly statements of their accounts either through the mail and those with e-mail addresses, electronically.
At the purely financial level, the Society continues to provide a service that is welcomed to all, and vital to some, and therefore meets the Objective of the Society.
But more importantly, we consider that the call ($20) we each pay individually, to meet the death benefit ($10,000) paid by the Society are only tokens of our Brotherly Love and Affection for each deceased brother, and our concern for, and willingness, to assist his bereaved family in time of need.
ADDENDUM
SAGICOR LIFE INC. “GROUP LIFE CASH POT PLAN”
After three years of hard and shelfful negotiations, we finally introduced on 1st June 2015 a Group Life “Cash Pot Plan” with Sagicor Life Inc. which pays $50,000 to a named beneficiary at the time of our passing to the Grand Lodge above.
This represents valuable cash for our spouses and dependent family members to assist with the cost of final interment as well as any outstanding medical bills and probate costs where necessary.
This Group Life cover which will augment the existing benefit of $10,000.00 now payable at the death of each financial member of the TTMPS to their named beneficiaries.
Bear in mind that the main benefit of this Group Life Cover is the CASH that will be paid to our loved ones when we pass on. It removes that uncertainty of whether there will be adequate funds available to cover the various final expenses of a “Proper Funeral” when a family is already deeply involved in grieving for their loved one. It is an accepted fact that, worrying about the uncertainty of where the CASH will come from, can even take the joy out of life of whatever time we have left.
Members of all Lodges under the English, Scottish and Prince Hall Constitutions, who would like to get access to this Additional Cash benefit, must be Financial Members of the TTMPS. The Annual Premium is payable in advance, similar to any other Insurance Policy and provides cover for that year.
Masons who are not currently members of the TTMPS are required to join the Society in order to benefit from the Plan.
The Plan required a minimum number of persons to become effective, and it will be the responsibility of the TTMPS to ensure that this minimum is maintained every year to keep the plan ongoing.
As an incentive, Sagicor agreed that the wives of members (inclusive of Common Law relationships) will be entitled to join the Plan at a cost of $1,000 (same rate as TTMPS members). In other words, $2,000 per Annum will cover you and your spouse. If you should pass on, your beneficiary will receive $10,000 from the TTMPS and $50,000 from Sagicor. However, should your beloved better half supersede you, her beneficiary (hopefully you) will receive $50,000 from Sagicor.
Sagicor has agreed to provide the “Plan” without a Medical requirement when you join within three (3) months of becoming a Mason. Simply complete an enrolment form with the necessary valid National ID or similar form of Identification, together with a Utility bill or Bank statement showing proof of the address where you reside, pay the Annual contribution (Premium) and you are on your way.
Other Applicants may be requested to submit a Medical Report.
The Sum Assured or CASH payable is TT $50,000.00 per person
The Age Limit for inclusion in this Group Plan is Eighty (80) Years
The Annual Premium has been set at TT$1,000.00 per person ($ 2.74 per day for each person)
For those members who would like to continue the CASH BENEFIT after the age of eighty (80), there is another option that will cover you to one hundred (100) years old, details of which will be made available from Sagicor on an individual basis
Compiled and updated by
- Bro. Frank K. Bradshaw, PGStB.
As at October 23 2019