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Three thousand dollars a month. That’s the minimum National Insurance pension a citizen receives after a lifetime of work.
It’s also, for many, the difference between paying for food or medication in a given month—not both.
(via Indian Express.)
A few weeks ago, more than 22,000 people shared, commented on, or followed my post which contrasted that figure with the far more generous pensions awarded to former members of parliament and prime ministers.
I called it one of the greatest inequities in our pension system. Judging by the response, thousands of citizens agree.
Yet since then: conspicuous silence—from the government, the opposition, and the former prime ministers themselves.
Every year, our leaders ask citizens to tighten their belts: accept higher taxes, work longer, contribute more to the National Insurance Scheme. Yet there is little apparent urgency to help the very people who spent 30 years or more paying into it.
On 26 November 2024, our Prime Minister was quoted saying: “I don’t agree with any increase in salaries for the president, prime minister or myself as leader of the opposition. I think our salaries are enough at this point in time.”
A fair and welcome position on salaries. But two years on, there has been no equivalent statement—no discussion at all—on reviewing the Parliamentary Pension Act or the Prime Minister’s Pension Act.
(via UNC.)
Hundreds of thousands of retirees continue trying to survive on TT$3,000 a month, while political pensions allow former officeholders to live insulated from the same financial pressures facing ordinary citizens.
This is not simply about money. It is about fairness.
If Parliament could move quickly to amend legislation affecting a former prime minister who served only a few days in office, surely it can move with equal urgency to protect the dignity of the men and women who built this country.
Photo: PNM.
The Government speaks often about putting people first. Here is a chance to prove it—with three simple questions:
- Will Parliament commit to reducing political pensions?
- Will it establish a fair relationship between parliamentary pensions and the pensions ordinary contributors receive?
- Will it ensure that no pensioner who worked honestly for more than 30 years is left trying to survive on TT$3,000 a month?
Thousands of pensioners are still waiting for answers.
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Dennise Demming grew up in East Dry River, Port of Spain and has more than 30 years experience as a communication strategist, political commentator and event planner. She has 15 years experience lecturing business communications at UWI and is the co-licensee for TEDxPortofSpain. Dennise is a member of the HOPE political party.
We are almost into the second month post the mid-year review and I have been reliably informed that the much heralded exemption of private pensions from taxation has not kicked in for those benefitting. Based on the prevailing circumstances as outlined in this article the urgency of actioning this initiative must be recognized. The gov’t should be commended for taking this important first step in bringing relief to this growing segment of the population. A lot more has to be done for others who fall outside of that category of pensioners.