Content creator Sheyla, from Matanzas, demonstrated in a video what a retired person in Cuba can purchase with their monthly pension of 1,500 Cuban pesos, roughly three dollars at the informal exchange rate, amid the economic crisis the island is facing.
"In Cuba, people who live on a pension are starving because the only money they receive each month is $3, which amounts to 1,500 Cuban pesos, and today I'm going to show you the only thing you can buy with that money, which of course has to last the entire month," began @sheyreyes032.
After "so much walking" and searching for "the places where they sell them the cheapest," the young woman revealed that her purchases included a pound of black beans, a 500-gram package of spaghetti, a bag of bread with five rolls, a small package of drink mix to prepare two liters of piña colada, a package of sausages with seven pieces, an avocado, a pound of rice, and another pound of ground meat. "This money doesn't stretch far at all, so you have to work wonders," she remarked.
The video concludes with a direct question to its followers: "Let me know in the comments if you think this will last for the entire month."
The post generated hundreds of comments, many of which compared the situation to that of other countries. Users from Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Argentina, and Puerto Rico shared that, in their places of residence, three dollars do not cover even a small portion of the purchase shown by Sheyla. Others expressed sadness, surprise, or resignation, while some suggested alternatives like growing food in backyards, although others responded that in Cuba there are restrictions on raising animals or selling part of the production.
The 'exercise' that Sheyla demonstrates to highlight the precarious living conditions of retirees on the island is based on the current minimum pension, set at 1,500 Cuban pesos—approximately three dollars at the informal exchange rate—a figure that the government has announced will increase starting September 1, 2025. According to the Resolution 14/2025 published in Official Gazette No. 71, pensions up to 2,472 CUP will receive an increase of 1,528 CUP, and those between 2,473 and 3,999 CUP will rise until they reach 4,000 CUP per month.
According to official information, those currently receiving the minimum pension will increase from 1,528 to 3,056 CUP. However, this adjustment is still well below the current cost of living, in a context where a carton of eggs can exceed 3,000 CUP and most basic foods are only sold in dollars or MLC.
In this regard, a recent survey by the Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory (OCAC) revealed that at least 30,000 pesos per month are needed to cover basic food needs. "Today, a carton of eggs can cost up to 3,900 pesos, more than a full minimum pension," the report stated.
In August, the case of Orlando Regueiro Castellano , an 83-year-old man from Ciego de Ávila, went viral as he claimed to live "on air" because he had no money for food. In July, the story of "Don Manuel," a retired university professor who survives by selling recycled bags in Santiago de Cuba, became known. That same month, another young woman on TikTok demonstrated that with the minimum pension, she could only afford a small bag of noodles and a bottle of oil.
Even official media outlets like the newspaper Girón have published reports acknowledging that "many continue on the streets seeking their daily sustenance," depicting elderly individuals selling cigarettes, pastries, or fruits to supplement their income.
In all cases, the common denominator is the inadequacy of pensions in the face of inflation and the high cost of food and basic products in Cuba, a situation that forces many elderly people to rely on the support of family members or neighbors to survive.
Frequently asked questions about the precariousness of pensions in Cuba
What can be bought with the minimum pension of a retiree in Cuba?
With the minimum pension of 1,500 Cuban pesos, equivalent to about three dollars at the informal exchange rate, it is barely possible to purchase basic products such as a pound of black beans, a pack of spaghetti, bread, an avocado, a pound of rice, and sausages. This amount is insufficient to cover monthly food needs.
How does inflation affect pensions in Cuba?
Inflation in Cuba has made pensions insufficient to cover basic living costs. A carton of eggs can cost more than an entire minimum pension, and most basic food items are only sold in dollars or MLC. This leaves many retirees in extremely precarious situations.
Has the Cuban government announced any increase in pensions?
The Cuban government has announced an increase in pensions starting from September 1, 2025. Minimum pensions will rise from 1,528 to 3,056 CUP, and pensions of up to 2,472 CUP will receive an increase of 1,528 CUP. However, this adjustment remains insufficient in light of the high cost of living on the island.
What alternatives do Cuban retirees have to survive on an insufficient pension?
Many retired Cubans depend on the help of family members or neighbors to survive, as pensions are insufficient to cover a basic diet. Some turn to informal activities, such as selling recycled products, while others receive support from acts of solidarity from citizens who share what little they have.
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