about salåppeʼta
An independent site that exists to keep the conversation going about what the Northern Mariana Islands' retirees are facing, and to put the documents behind it within everyone's reach.
Why this site exists
Thousands of retirees gave their working lives to public service in the Commonwealth. Today, what they receive depends on court orders, budget votes and fund reports that few people have the time to read.
Salåppeʼta gathers those documents in one place, explains them in plain language, and keeps a record of what changes and when, so retirees, their families and the public can follow along and keep talking about it.
It is especially meant for readers outside the system, such as family members, students, journalists and lawmakers' staff, who want to understand and discuss the issues facing retirees.
A supplement, not a replacement
Salåppeʼta does not replace the NMI Settlement Fund or its website. The Fund and the Settlement Fund Trustee's office have done many years of exemplary work for members, and nmisf.com remains the official source for notices, forms, reports and benefit questions.
This site is supplementary. It exists to keep the conversation going and to help people thresh out the topics that concern retirees.
Visit the official NMI Settlement Fund site ↗nmisf.com already has the documents. why another site?
It does, and it should stay the first place members go. The Fund publishes records; we help people talk about them. The two do different jobs.
Posts the official documents: reports, orders, notices and forms.
Explains what they mean in plain language, and links back to every original.
Organizes documents by type and date.
Connects them into one story: the timeline, the money, and what changed.
Speaks for the Fund, to its members.
Speaks to everyone else too: families, students, journalists and policymakers.
Covers the Settlement Fund’s own business.
Also follows the Legislature, the budget, health insurance, and pension news across the Pacific and the U.S.
Stays neutral, as an official body must.
Hosts the conversation: stories, questions, podcasts and reader feedback.
As the Fund's official record, some things are rightly outside its role: commenting on bills, weighing budget choices, or hosting public discussion. That is the space this site tries to fill, while always pointing back to the Fund.
how we work
Every claim has a source
Each fact links to the court order, law, report or notice it comes from.
Plain words first
We explain before we quote, and define every technical term.
Facts, not sides
We report what the documents say. We do not campaign for any official or party.
Dated and updated
Every page shows when it was last checked, and we correct mistakes openly.
sources
The official source. Actuarial, audit and investment reports, press releases, payment status, forms and the settlement documents.
U.S. District Court for the NMIOrders in Johnson v. Inos, Case No. 09-00023.
CNMI LegislatureBills and public laws affecting retirees and the Fund.
CNMI Department of FinanceGHLI health and life insurance information and forms.
CNMI Law Revision CommissionThe Commonwealth Code and administrative rules.
Local newsMarianas Variety, Saipan Tribune, Marianas Press and Isla Public Media, for context and reporting on hearings and votes.
Corrections
If we get something wrong, we want to know. We fix errors quickly and note the change and its date at the bottom of the page.
Send a correction →The name
Salåppeʼ is the Chamorro word for money; -ta makes it ours. The name is a reminder that these pensions were built from the contributions of the people who earned them.
Not legal or financial advice. Salåppeʼta is independent of the NMI Settlement Fund, the CNMI Government and the Legislature. For decisions about your own benefits, contact the NMI Settlement Fund or a qualified adviser.