Bryan Edejer appointed as MISSA’s new Administrator

In its meeting held on September 25, 2023, the Cabinet has concurred with the MISSA Board’s appointment of Bryan Edejer as the new Administrator of the Marshall Islands Social Security Administration (MISSA). Likewise, Mr. Edejer will also automatically become the administrator of the newly established Marshall Islands Workers’ Compensation Administration (MIWCA).

“Bryan”, as everyone fondly calls him, joined MISSA in May 2007 as Tax Compliance Manager, under Operations and Tax Division. During that time, the Administration was faced with a continual growth in benefit payments while collections from contributions remained constant as there was no significant demand for new workers. This has caused a great concern over the future sustainability of the system as the gap between benefits and contributions started to widen. This trend was further threatened by the growing delinquency cases caused by certain employers who were not able to meet their obligations to the Administration on time. But with the able leadership of Bryan, his team of Tax Officers started a more aggressive collection campaign through legal referrals and prosecutions that gradually reduced these delinquent cases to a minimum. This relentless collection efforts were further reinforced with massive payroll audits that resulted in the recovery of millions of tax deficiencies caused by under- reporting of taxable wages by employers who thought that their payroll records will no longer be verified by MISSA.

In recognition to Bryan’s exemplary management skills and commendable performance in tax collection, the Administrator promoted him to the post of Deputy Administrator & Chief Tax Officer in 2018. This paved the way to the creation of a new division named Tax Division that Bryan headed. His promotion enabled Bryan to rise from the ranks and become a member of MISSA’s Senior Management Committee comprised of three Deputy Administrators and headed by the Administrator. The Senior Management Committee, under the guidance of MISSA’s Board of Directors, provides strategic leadership, management and oversight of MISSA’s internal operations and sets the key priorities, goals and objectives of the Administration.

When the Workers’ Compensation Task Force was established by the Cabinet in 2021, Bryan was appointed by the Administrator to represent MISSA in the group and was elected Vice- Chairman. He was later elected by the Task Force to replace outgoing Task Force Chairman Mark Stege who represented Majuro Chamber of Commerce. Under Bryan’s capable leadership as Task Force Chairman and with the assistance of Workers’ Compensation Advisor Adrian Nippress, the structure, system, procedures and implementing guidelines of the Workers’ Compensation Program are now almost in place and will be ready when the law takes effect starting October 1, 2023.

Bryan’s appointment was an offshoot of the resignation of Mrs. Saane K. Aho effective October 15, 2023. Mrs. Aho is MISSA’s incumbent Administrator who has been on leave since October 2021 to attend to the medical needs of a family member in the United States. In her letter to the MISSA Board, she said that her decision to leave MISSA has been a very difficult one, but given her family’s present circumstances, she will not be able to return home this year. She also took the opportunity to thank all the board members, past and present, for having allowed her to work with them and the people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands in her capacity as the Administrator for a span of 23 years, the longest term in the history of MISSA. She ended her letter by recommending Mr. Edejer for the position of MISSA Administrator to ensure a smooth transition as he has proven himself to be a very capable and effective Acting Administrator for MISSA during her absence. Likewise, the entire management and staff of MISSA have shown their full backing of Mr. Edejer by submitting a joint statement of support and recommendation that was addressed to the MISSA Board.

JERAMMAN ADMINISTRATOR BRYAN EDEJER FOR YOUR PROMOTION AND APPOINTMENT!!!