William Clarke (centre) could not hold back the glee he felt when he met Betty Morant-Reid (left) and Myrtle Henry, two of the pensioners, just before the luncheon. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Spirits were high Wednesday at the Hilton Kingston hotel in New Kingston, as Scotiabank honoured some 250 of its pensioners for their invaluable contribution to the company.

The pensioners, who served the Scotia Group across the island for several years, also took the opportunity to catch up with old-time friends and colleagues at the luncheon.

Guest speaker Dr. Blossom O'Meally-Nelson told the pensioners that they were living in a great age, where there were advances in medicine, giving them the opportunity to live longer.

She also joked that, with rising cosmetic surgeries, "a lift here and a tuck there and we are good to go".

Dr. O'Meally-Nelson said pensioners constitute an important pool of knowledge and skills but Jamaica has failed to utilise their skills in a meaningful way.

"We cannot afford to send home our assets, we have to find a way in which to utilise the tremendous pool of know-ledge," said Dr. O'Meally-Nelson.

Meanwhile, William Clarke, president and CEO of Scotiabank, said the pensioners' luncheon was a great day on the bank's calendar, noting that the legacy of the retirees is what Scotiabank employees inherit today.

Mr. Clarke also announced an increase in the amount of pension the former employees will receive.