WILLEMSTAD – The Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao has submitted its advice on legislation that would formally increase the general old-age pension (AOV) to XCG 1,000 per month and raise benefits for widows, widowers and orphans.
The SER submitted its advisory opinion on Monday, September 14, to Finance Minister Charles Cooper and Minister of Social Development, Labor and Welfare Charetti America-Francisca. The council had adopted the advice during an extraordinary plenary meeting on Friday, September 11.
One of the central provisions of the bill is the increase in the full AOV pension for eligible beneficiaries residing in Curaçao from XCG 862 to XCG 1,000 per month.
Although pensioners have already been receiving the higher amount since January 1, 2026, the proposed legislation would formally establish the increase in law with retroactive effect to that date.
The legislation would also increase payments under the General Widow and Orphan Insurance program (AWW), which provides benefits to qualifying widows, widowers and orphans. Those increases are intended to take effect on January 1, 2027, with benefit amounts varying according to age and statutory category.
Another significant element concerns how AOV and AWW benefits would be adjusted in the future. The bill proposes new rules for periodic adjustments that would take into account both consumer price developments and economic growth.
The legislation also contains provisions covering a specifically defined group of AOV recipients living outside Curaçao. According to the information submitted to the SER, these provisions are intended to implement a March 1, 2021 ruling by the Joint Court of Justice.
The Finance Minister formally requested the SER's advice on July 17. The submission of the council's opinion is another step in the legislative process required to place the pension changes on a statutory footing.
The details of the SER's conclusions and any recommendations or concerns raised by the council were not included in the information released about the submission.