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“[…] The government has shown great efficiency in imposing burdens, but lethargy in delivering relief.
“[…] Almost one year after forming the government, no legislation has been brought to Parliament, no amendment has been enacted, and pensioners remain burdened by taxation …”
The following Letter to the Editor on the government’s promise to make private pensions exempt from income tax was submitted to Wired868 by Bryan St Louis of La Brea:
Copyright: Office of the Parliament 2025.
On the campaign trail, the then Opposition Leader, now Prime Minister, gave her word that private pensions would be exempt from income tax.
This pledge was later repeated in the 2026 Budget Presentation, announced with loud desk-thumping and celebrated as a measure to protect pensioners from double taxation and the rising cost of living. For those on fixed incomes, it was a promise that offered dignity, relief and hope.
In January 2026, Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo, speaking at the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) International Economic Forum in Panama, confirmed that draft legislation to make private pensions tax-free had been prepared and was before Cabinet.
He assured the public that the measure would be included in a Finance Bill expected in late February or early March. He explained that the delay stemmed from the need to verify supporting data, but insisted that those issues had been resolved.
Yet, as of mid-March, almost one year after forming the government, no legislation has been brought to Parliament, no amendment has been enacted, and pensioners remain burdened by taxation.
Meanwhile, punitive measures such as increased customs duties, traffic penalties and other taxes have been swiftly implemented, eroding the already limited purchasing power of pensioners.
(via TTPS.)
The government has shown great efficiency in imposing burdens, but lethargy in delivering relief.
Prime Minister, this is a public reminder of your campaign commitment and of the Finance Minister’s assurance.
You declared boldly: “A promise made is a promise kept.” Pensioners now call on you and the finance minister to act with the same urgency and efficiency that was applied to penalties and taxes.
Together, you must honour the promise made to pensioners by bringing the necessary amendments to Parliament without delay. Integrity demands it, accountability requires it, and pensioners deserve the relief that was pledged.
A society is judged by how it treats its children and its elderly.
Pensioners are not asking for favours; they are asking for fairness, recognition of their lifelong contributions, and for the government to honour its word. The time for delay has passed. The time for action is now.
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Bryan St Louis is a former education officer for the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU).
