“I have urged them to move a little bit more quickly because we have been waiting for some time and I know that the pensioners want to get their increase,” he said.
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley is growing impatient with the pace at which recommendations for long-promised increases to Government pensioners are being finalised, as retirees continue to await relief amid mounting cost-of-living pressures in the Virgin Islands.
Speaking publicly on the issue recently, the Premier disclosed that the funds for the increase have already been allocated in the 2026 Budget and stressed that Government pensioners can expect any approved increase to be made retroactive to January 1, 2026.
“We have placed the money in the budget for the increase to the pension for the Government Pensioners. The Deputy Governor and the Financial Secretary co-chair the committee that is supposed to be bringing recommendation to Cabinet for the increase. So, we are waiting on them to conclude their report and circulate a Cabinet paper to Cabinet so we can make a decision,” Premier Wheatley stated.
The Premier added that he has already urged officials to accelerate the process.
“I have urged them to move a little bit more quickly because we have been waiting for some time and I know that the pensioners want to get their increase,” he said.
The issue of pension increases for retired public officers has remained a contentious one in the Territory over the past year, particularly after active public officers benefitted from salary adjustments while pensioners were left out of the exercise.
In October 2025, Premier Wheatley publicly apologised to retirees for the omission and pledged that Government would address the matter in the next fiscal cycle.
At the time, the Premier acknowledged that pensioners should have been considered alongside serving public officers and indicated that Government was examining ways to ensure future pension adjustments keep pace with inflation and the rising cost of living.
The latest comments from the Premier come against the backdrop of broader economic pressures across the Virgin Islands, with Government recently rolling out a series of temporary relief measures aimed at cushioning residents from rising global fuel and import costs.
Speaking publicly on the issue recently, the Premier disclosed that the funds for the increase have already been allocated in the 2026 Budget and stressed that Government pensioners can expect any approved increase to be made retroactive to January 1, 2026.
“We have placed the money in the budget for the increase to the pension for the Government Pensioners. The Deputy Governor and the Financial Secretary co-chair the committee that is supposed to be bringing recommendation to Cabinet for the increase. So, we are waiting on them to conclude their report and circulate a Cabinet paper to Cabinet so we can make a decision,” Premier Wheatley stated.
The Premier added that he has already urged officials to accelerate the process.
“I have urged them to move a little bit more quickly because we have been waiting for some time and I know that the pensioners want to get their increase,” he said.
The issue of pension increases for retired public officers has remained a contentious one in the Territory over the past year, particularly after active public officers benefitted from salary adjustments while pensioners were left out of the exercise.
In October 2025, Premier Wheatley publicly apologised to retirees for the omission and pledged that Government would address the matter in the next fiscal cycle.
At the time, the Premier acknowledged that pensioners should have been considered alongside serving public officers and indicated that Government was examining ways to ensure future pension adjustments keep pace with inflation and the rising cost of living.
The latest comments from the Premier come against the backdrop of broader economic pressures across the Virgin Islands, with Government recently rolling out a series of temporary relief measures aimed at cushioning residents from rising global fuel and import costs.
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