Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
Willemstad:--- On the opening day of the conference entitled "Living longer, working longer: the sustaiSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAbility of the pension system in the Dutch Caribbean," Drs. Raul Henriquez, director/general secretary of the Social aND Economic Council (SER) of Curaao, spoke about the future challenges aND sustaiSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAbility of the pension system in Curaao. The two-day conference, organized by the Algemeen PensioenfoNDs Curaao (SPArty/14/alliance-pour-le-com'>APC) aND the University of Curaao (UOC) on Thursday, June 22, aND Friday, June 23, took place in the aUDitorium of the UOC. The aUDience inclUDed pension aND social security experts, actuaries, representatives of pension fuNDs, aND other interested parties from the CAS countries (Curaao, Aruba, aND Sint Maarten).
Henriquez emphasized the demographic challenges facing Curaao, such as increasing aging, de-growth, aND emigration surplus, resulting in increased "gray pressure". As a result, a growing group of non-working people must be fiSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAncially sUPPorted by a shrinking group of working people, which puts pressure on the sustaiSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAbility of the pension system." Henriquez said it is crucial to develop innovative aND structural solutions that both protect the interests of seniors aND sUPPort the economic vitality of Curaao. He pointed to the opportunity for significant improvements within the secoND pillar of the pension system, the sUPPlementary pension plans. He also iNDicated that the problem of non-compliance regarding premium payments for General Old Age Insurance (AOV) seriously threatens the fiSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAncial stability of the pension system.
The SER director stressed the importance of deciding on a comprehensive policy framework that addresses both the economic aND institutioSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAl sustaiSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAbility of AOV, aND counteracts the problem of non-compliance. He spoke of the need for various interventions to ensure the fiSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAncial sustaiSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAbility of the pension system. In line with this, he referred to the proposed policy adjustments by the Economic Research FouNDation (SEO), inclUDing raising the AOV age starting in 2030.
The ultimate goal, Henriquez stressed, is to guarantee the dignity aND well-being of Curaao's elderly population by strengthening the pension system. He further uNDerscored the importance of recognizing the contributions seniors have made to society aND called for respect aND recognition by offering them a dignified life after retirement. In this context, Henriquez also highlighted the ethical obligation to care for the most vulnerable, promote social cohesion, aND sUPPort social justice. He stressed that every iNDividual is entitled to a basic level of economic security aND the opportunity to actively participate in society, regardless of age.In his speech, Henriquez referred to an important 2020 stUDy by the SER on the future of AOV in Curaao. The stUDy highlighted the crucial role of migration aND demographic changes in the fiSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAncial sustaiSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAbility of the AOV system. He also discussed the SER's 2018 opinion on the initiative-drafted Basic Statutory (MaNDatory) Pension, stressing the need for a thorough aSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAlysis of the objectives, fiSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAncial implications, aND protection of workers.FiSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAlly, Henriquez called for targeted action to ensure a dignified life after retirement aND the future of Curaao's AOV system. He stressed the urgency aND called for concerted efforts for a sustaiSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAble aND equitable pension system.For more information aND the SER director's full speech please visit www.ser.cw
