Opposition Member and At-Large Representative Ronnie Skelton has condemned the continued delay in paying government retirees their long-awaited pension increases, pointing out that legislators received their salary increases.
Speaking in the House of Assembly on Friday, July 10, Skelton said it was wrong for pensioners, whose contributions helped build the Territory, to still be awaiting their cost-of-living adjustment.
“Up to Wednesday, I understand they have not received their cost-of-living adjustment to their pension,” Skelton said. “Whoever is responsible for paying the little allowance, the increase in pension that these people deserve, they need to do it, and they need to do it now.”
He said the Territory cannot progress while taking advantage of its elderly residents and children.
Skelton highlighted the contrast between the treatment of retirees and legislators, who have already benefited from their increases.
“We who are in this House, we have gotten our increase from last year January, and we can’t see it fit to make sure the pensioners of this country” receive theirs, he argued.
He noted that many retirees are struggling on fixed incomes amid the rising cost of living, while some are still paying mortgages or repaying loans taken to send their children to college.
Skelton also expressed disappointment that the pension increases are expected to be retroactive only to January 2026.
“All of that, to me, is not right,” he said.
He appealed directly to Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley to intensify efforts to have the retirees paid.
“Premier, please push some more, please,” Skelton begged.
The Opposition member also offered to assist the Government in identifying the necessary funding.
“I don’t know how much money it is, but somebody show me a piece of paper. I can probably help you find the monies to help pay the pensioners,” he said.
The latest delay follows an apology from Premier Wheatley, who disclosed that inaccuracies were discovered during an internal audit of the pension calculations. He said the issues had to be corrected before payments could be processed, resulting in yet another postponement for retirees who have been awaiting the increases.
Speaking in the House of Assembly on Friday, July 10, Skelton said it was wrong for pensioners, whose contributions helped build the Territory, to still be awaiting their cost-of-living adjustment.
“Up to Wednesday, I understand they have not received their cost-of-living adjustment to their pension,” Skelton said. “Whoever is responsible for paying the little allowance, the increase in pension that these people deserve, they need to do it, and they need to do it now.”
He said the Territory cannot progress while taking advantage of its elderly residents and children.
Skelton highlighted the contrast between the treatment of retirees and legislators, who have already benefited from their increases.
“We who are in this House, we have gotten our increase from last year January, and we can’t see it fit to make sure the pensioners of this country” receive theirs, he argued.
He noted that many retirees are struggling on fixed incomes amid the rising cost of living, while some are still paying mortgages or repaying loans taken to send their children to college.
Skelton also expressed disappointment that the pension increases are expected to be retroactive only to January 2026.
“All of that, to me, is not right,” he said.
He appealed directly to Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley to intensify efforts to have the retirees paid.
“Premier, please push some more, please,” Skelton begged.
The Opposition member also offered to assist the Government in identifying the necessary funding.
“I don’t know how much money it is, but somebody show me a piece of paper. I can probably help you find the monies to help pay the pensioners,” he said.
The latest delay follows an apology from Premier Wheatley, who disclosed that inaccuracies were discovered during an internal audit of the pension calculations. He said the issues had to be corrected before payments could be processed, resulting in yet another postponement for retirees who have been awaiting the increases.
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