Antigua and Barbuda government increases pensions to $1,000 from August 1

Announcing the development, the government indicated that other categories of pensioners, except those receiving a parliamentary pension, will benefit from a 7% increase in their pension benefits.

Saturday July 20, 2024

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda decided at a recent Cabinet meeting to increase the minimum occupational pensions for all former government employees. Effective August 1, 2024, the new pensions will be $1,000, $200 more than the previous one.

Announcing the development, the government said the other categories pensionerswith the exception of those receiving a parliamentary pension, who will benefit from a 7% increase in their pension benefits.

The recent decision to increase the minimum pension for former employees to $1,000 per month is a ray of hope for several retirees who have long struggled with financial insecurity.

This increase also demonstrates the government’s dedication and commitment to assisting all citizens of Antigua and Barbuda.

The recent government memos state that the phased increases for pensioners with a higher income will be calculated and paid out on the basis of a decreasing percentage.
Although the announcement was made in May 2024, the government announced the implementation date earlier this week, namely from August 1.

The increase in pensions comes as the government wants to ensure that the elderly can afford at least the basic necessities of life.

Cabinet spokesman Lionel Hurst initially made the announcement by saying that the current minimum is around $850, adding that the increase is needed to prevent older citizens from falling back into poverty.

In addition, Hurst also noted that clearing outstanding arrears for public sector workers could be a slow process. He explained that due to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has temporarily halted payments to more than 50 landlords of government buildings.

He further explained that it is only fair that the government makes some payments to the landlords, therefore he cannot give an exact timeline for when everyone in society will receive the money they are owed.