By Ravin Singh

DESPITE no firm commitment from the Government, persons who benefit from Old Age Pension could possibly receive $20,000 from 2017 as Government strives to fulfil one of its pre-elections promises – a significant increase in Old Age Pension. On Wednesday, at an event to mark the beginning of the Month of the Elderly held at the Umana Yana, Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence hinted at a possible increase in Old Age Pension, which would take it to $20,000.
“We have begun to fulfil our promise of providing you with a pension of $20,000. We are just shy of meeting that mandate by $1,800. And as you and I and so many of us continue to pray and ask God to shower his blessing, we will see what the Lord will provide for us when the Minister of Finance lays the budget in Parliament,” Minister Lawrence said.
The APNU+AFC coalition, during the May 2015 elections campaign had committed in a ‘100 Days Plan’ to provide a “significant increase in Old Age Pension.”
Upon assumption of office last year, the coalition Government increased pensions from $13,125 to 17,000. In 2016, it was again increased from 17,000 to 18,200.
And with an expected target of $20,000, the Government is just short of this amount by $1,800, which pensioners could possibly receive from next year.
However, confirmation of this will be announced in December of this year when Finance Minister Winston Jordan presents the 2017 Budget in the National Assembly.
Meanwhile, confirmation of a programme to support children and grandchildren of the elderly was given.
“In 2017, we will be looking at a programme where we can give assistance to your children and grandchildren by providing caregivers for those boys and girls who really need it, so they can remain in the home and give that support.”
Following this statement, the minister went on to suggest that the senior citizens of Guyana are “celebrated” as is evident through efforts to recognise their contributions to Guyana and to protect their rights.
“I want to assure you that the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Social Protection will hold true to our commitment to honour you. We want to do more. We will ensure that as we go forward with our policy that we seek to meet our mandate,” the minister said.