The Cuban regime officially announced this Wednesday a new increase in pensions for old age, disability, and the death of a spouse, to benefit those currently receiving up to 4,000 pesos.
According to the Resolution 14/2025 published in Official Gazette No. 71, the measure aims to "ensure" better protection for the most vulnerable sectors of the Cuban population.
According to the document, the pensions will be as follows:
- Pensions of up to 2,472 pesos will receive an increase of 1,528 pesos.
- Those that range between 2,473 and 3,999 pesos will be raised to a total of 4,000 pesos per month.
The increase will take effect on September 1, 2025 and will also apply to payments made in the month of August.
The adjustment includes not only retirees due to age and disability but also beneficiaries due to death, who will receive the increase in proportion to the amount that corresponds to them.
Additionally, the new pensions granted from the date of the measure's enactment will be updated, maintaining the same brackets and values established.
This increase repeals Resolution 28 of November 2020 and seeks, according to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. The adjustment will also apply to retirees from the ministries of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Interior.
The authorities stated that the provincial and municipal departments of Labor and Social Security, as well as the relevant structures of the involved ministries, will be responsible for implementing and overseeing the execution of the new regulations.
This adjustment, however, does not resolve the precarious situation faced by thousands of retirees on the island, where the cost of living remains skyrocketed and access to essential goods is increasingly restricted.
According to a recent survey by the Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory (OCAC), it is necessary to have at least 30,000 Cuban pesos per month to cover basic food needs.
In Cuba, a simple carton of eggs can exceed 3,000 pesos, while most basic necessities—such as oil, detergent, chicken, or powdered milk—are only sold in dollars or MLC, a currency that the state neither pays nor sells to the population in their salaries or pensions.
This situation forces millions of citizens to rely on remittances from abroad.
The government itself has acknowledged this unsustainable gap. In recent statements, Vice President Salvador Valdés Mesa bluntly stated: “Our retirees have average pensions of 1,525 pesos. With that, one cannot live; with an average salary of 5,000 pesos, one cannot live, nor with 6,000 pesos... It is not possible to live given today's prices.”
Despite the announcements, the perception among citizens is clear: the adjustments remain insufficient in the face of the severe economic crisis the country is experiencing.
For many retirees, even after the increase, they will still rely on family support to get by.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pension Increases in Cuba
How much will pensions in Cuba increase starting in September 2025?
Starting in September 2025, pensions in Cuba will see an increase. Pensions of up to 2,472 pesos will receive an increase of 1,528 pesos, thereby doubling the current minimum pension of 1,528 pesos. Pensions that are between 2,473 and 3,999 pesos will be adjusted to reach a monthly amount of 4,000 pesos.
Why is the increase in pensions insufficient for retirees in Cuba?
The increase in pensions in Cuba, while welcomed by some, does not solve the precarious situation that retirees face. The cost of living on the island remains extremely high, and basic products such as eggs and oil are very expensive. Furthermore, most essential goods are only sold in dollars or MLC, a currency not provided in salaries or pensions, forcing many to rely on remittances from abroad.
How does inflation affect the purchasing power of pensions in Cuba?
Inflation in Cuba is a critical factor that erodes the purchasing power of pensions. Even with the increase, the additional money will quickly be absorbed by the rising prices of basic goods. This means that, in practice, retirees will continue to struggle to meet their basic needs.
What additional measures has the Cuban government taken to improve the situation of retirees?
The Cuban government has announced various measures, albeit limited. It has proposed to "perfect" social policy and review the salary policies of the state sector. However, so far, these initiatives have not significantly alleviated the situation for retirees, who continue to face serious economic difficulties.
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