Pensioner queries NIS increase, Ali says before next year

Last Updated on Thursday, 6 August 2026, 22:09 by Writer

President Irfaan Ali on Thursday signaled that his government would increase National Insurance (NIS) pensions before next year.

“That is something they’re looking at so we will have to address it before the next budget,” Dr Ali said.

He was at the time responding to a question from a pensioner during consultations on model villages at the Melanie Damishana Nursery School, East Coast Demerara.

The man told the president that he was not a recipient of the minimum pension, and acknowledged that his query was based on the increased amount catching up with what he receives.

“I have been an NIS pensioner since 2007 and my pension has not been increased for the last seven years. My question to you is when will this problem be addressed? he said.

The NIS website says the minimum old age pension moved from GY$35,000 in 2020 to GY$43,075 per month on January 1, 2025.

NIS Board Chairman Ramesh Persaud said in late June, 2026 that “the NIS…is in a very strong position today for the last five years.The NIS has been making surpluses that we are reinvesting for the future pensioners of the organisation, and again, I think that that’s a very well-meaning accomplishment.”