The Antigua and Barbuda Pensioners Association is turning up the pressure on the government to deliver meaningful financial relief to the nation’s 15,000 retirees, calling for a “livable pension” standard and food vouchers for those surviving on the lowest monthly payments — as inflation continues to erode the purchasing power of fixed incomes across the twin-island nation.

Negotiations Underway with Ministry of Finance

ABPA President Evans Bennett outlined the core agenda being pursued on behalf of the nation’s retirees following the association’s May 28th meeting, focusing on cost-of-living adjustments, social support systems, and internal organisational updates.

“We are in negotiations with the government for an increase in pension for all pensioners because of the cost-of-living situation,” Bennett stated. “And we are also lobbying for the pensioners to get a social benefit in terms of food vouchers for those who are actually getting a very small pension. For example, we negotiated for an increase from $350 to $500, which was the base for Social Security pensioners.”

The Call for a “Livable Pension”

At the heart of the ABPA’s agenda is a demand that goes beyond incremental increases — a call for a fundamental rethinking of what a pension should provide.

“We also suggested to the Ministry of Finance and development authorities that we need to have what we call a livable pension,” Bennett explained. “The Prime Minister did make a public statement that he’s hoping to meet with us to discuss that because we cannot just accept or live under 5% for pensioners who are getting $500 a month. So, we have to work out that livable thing.”

Punctuality Issue Resolved; Adequacy Now the Focus

Bennett noted that long-standing concerns over the punctuality of monthly pension disbursements have been rectified by development authorities over the last two years, allowing the association to shift its primary focus back to the adequacy of the funds themselves. 

The Association’s Role and Track Record

Bennett was emphatic about the ABPA’s role as the primary voice for retirees in negotiations with the state.

“I would like to inform the general public and all 15,000 pensioners who are receiving a monthly pension that the Pensioners’ Association is the main bargaining agent on behalf of all pensioners,” Bennett said. “We negotiate with the Ministry of Finance and the government for increasing pensions. We also lobby for increase of back pay for all pensioners.”

Highlighting the non-profit organisation’s 25-year track record, Bennett pointed to established social programmes that provide direct monthly relief to thousands of retirees. “The association was the main agent for us getting the utility subsidy — the monthly subsidy for pensioners. I think 7,000 pensioners are benefiting from that,” Bennett said. “We get the utility book for $100 a month.”

Caring for the Most Vulnerable

Bennett confirmed that the association maintains active support systems for retirees who are non-mobile or unable to attend regular meetings. “We have what we call indigent members, and we look after them. We try to assist them as much as possible,” he said, noting that during COVID the association was able to visit shut-ins and deliver food packages and vouchers with assistance from the public and private sectors.

Healthcare and Digital Inclusion

Addressing health care costs — frequently cited as the top financial burden for retirees — Bennett explained that the association relies on cross-sector collaborations with the private sector and relevant ministries to host health initiatives such as its signature annual health fair.

On the challenge of seniors being left behind by rapid transitions to digital banking and online public services, Bennett pointed to the deep professional expertise within the retiree network itself as a resource for self-reliance. “We have people leaving from the public sector in management positions — nurses, teachers, doctors, skilled labourers in terms of engineering. Therefore, we have a vast talent in the institution. We are able to help ourselves,” he said.

Looking Ahead

The association’s recent meeting also finalised internal matters, including ongoing discussions on outstanding back pay, a proposed week of activities in July, and preparations for a general election of officers to lead the organisation forward.

For Antigua and Barbuda’s 15,000 pensioners, the ABPA’s advocacy could not come at a more critical time. With inflation driving up the cost of food, utilities, and healthcare, the difference between a minimal pension and a livable one is no longer a policy abstraction — it is a daily reality for thousands of senior citizens across the twin-island nation.