WILLEMSTAD — The Curaçao government has clarified that the increase of the AOV old-age pension to a maximum of 1,000 guilders per month will only be paid out in the first half of January, and that the one-time payment of 2,500 guilders applies exclusively to residents of Curaçao.
The clarification follows questions about both the timing of the AOV increase and the eligibility criteria for the lump-sum payment.
According to the government, the delay in the AOV adjustment is due to the fact that the decision was taken on December 19, outside the regular payment cycle of the Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB) and shortly before the Christmas holidays. As a result, payment on January 1 was not administratively feasible.
Lump-sum paid in two installments
The government also confirmed that the one-time payment of 2,500 guilders will not be paid in a single installment. Eligible recipients will receive 1,250 guilders in January, with the remaining 1,250 guilders scheduled to be paid in January of the following year.
In addition, for AOV beneficiaries who receive a reduced pension, the existing reduction percentage will continue to apply to the new maximum amount. This means that the increase will be proportionally adjusted for those with a partial AOV entitlement.
To provide further clarity, the government announced that example calculations will be published in the near future, allowing beneficiaries to better understand how the changes will affect their individual situation.
The measures form part of broader efforts to support pensioners amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures, while the government seeks to balance social support with administrative feasibility.