Our pensioners are not asking for luxury. They are asking to live with dignity, peace of mind, and security after dedicating a significant part of their lives to work and their families.
In Curaçao, the General Old Age Pension (AOV) is an issue that deserves continuous attention. As of January 1, 2026, the full monthly AOV pension for residents of Curaçao increased from XCG 862 (approximately US$479) to XCG 1,000 (approximately US$556).
In addition, the agreement reached in December 2025 provided for a one-time compensation payment of up to XCG 2,500 (approximately US$1,389) to address the loss of purchasing power in previous years. This compensation is to be paid in two installments, depending on the entitlements accumulated by each beneficiary.
This is a step forward that deserves recognition. However, it does not eliminate the need to continue asking one fundamental question:
Is XCG 1,000 a month enough to live with dignity in today's Curaçao?
We must look at the reality in our neighborhoods, in people's homes, and in the daily lives of our elderly residents.
Food, water, electricity, housing expenses, transportation, and medication are all essential costs that people must cover. When income is limited, every expense becomes a difficult decision.
Some pensioners must carefully calculate their spending to make it to the end of the month. Others think twice before purchasing something they genuinely need, while some depend on assistance from family members to cover their financial shortfalls.
We cannot assume that all pensioners face the same circumstances. Some receive financial support from relatives or have additional sources of income. Others depend almost entirely on their AOV pension.
That is why we must examine the situation seriously and base our conclusions on reliable data.
After all, the amount someone receives does not tell the whole story. The real question is what that person can afford with the money.
A monthly pension of XCG 1,000 may appear to be a straightforward figure on paper. But its actual value depends on the bills that must be paid, the prices consumers face in supermarkets, and whether pension income keeps pace with the rising cost of living.
When prices increase faster than income, purchasing power declines.
This is precisely why a properly functioning pension indexation system is so important. Its purpose should be to prevent pensioners from gradually losing the real value of their income over time.
The December 2025 agreement established a new framework for annual AOV adjustments, linking them to the Consumer Price Index and real economic growth, based on data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS).
The implementation of this system must be monitored carefully, transparently, and responsibly.
We are calling for the question of pension adequacy to become more than a debate about numbers.
There must be a clear assessment of basic living expenses, pensioners' purchasing power, and the particular needs of those who have no other source of income.
We also call on the government and all responsible institutions to provide the public with clear information about the implementation of the agreed measures, the rules governing pension indexation, and the protections available to the most vulnerable pensioners.
We understand that Curaçao must maintain sound public finances.
The pension system must remain financially sustainable for today's retirees and for future generations who will eventually reach retirement age.
But financial sustainability and human dignity should not be treated as competing objectives. We must find solutions that take both into account.
Our elderly residents are not merely figures in a government budget.
They are people with real needs, entitled to dignified treatment, who have contributed to our community in countless ways.
That is why we must continue discussing this issue seriously.
Not to diminish the importance of the progress already made, but to ensure that these measures genuinely benefit the people they are intended to help.
We are calling for a pension system that protects purchasing power, a realistic assessment of the cost of living, and targeted measures that reach pensioners who need assistance the most.
Because after a lifetime of work, people should be able to look toward the future with greater peace of mind, rather than worrying about whether their income will be enough to get them through another month.
Curaçao must continue building a society in which elderly residents do not feel abandoned and where protecting their dignity remains a shared responsibility of the government, the community, and families.
Ultimately, the question remains:
Is XCG 1,000 (approximately US$556) a month enough to live with dignity in today's Curaçao?
The answer must come from an honest assessment of everyday realities, reliable data, and the experiences of pensioners themselves.
Dignity for our elderly. Protection of their purchasing power. And a commitment that goes beyond words.
H. Isenia
Columnist