The decision expands the universe of beneficiaries and generates debate about the fiscal cost and sustainability of the program.
News Colombia.
The Colombia Mayor program, one of the main economic aid for older adults in situations of poverty or vulnerability, will have a significant change: the government will reduce the minimum age required to receive the monthly transfer of 230,000 pesos. The measure, announced as immediate, seeks to ensure that more people without a pension can access support that, for many, has become their only source of income.
Although the decision increases the coverage of the subsidy, it also represents a considerable financial challenge for the State. According to official estimates, the adjustment would generate an additional cost close to 152,000 million pesos annually. This increase opens a debate about the sustainability of the program and how its financing will be guaranteed in the future.
The government argues that the measure responds to the need to serve an aging population that, in many cases, was left out of the pension system. The expansion would allow people who did not earn enough weeks of contributions to receive at least a basic income, especially in areas where informal work has been the norm for decades.
The adjustment also aligns with the broader discussion about the pension system and the pillars of social protection, which seek to strengthen support for those who were unable to access a formal retirement.
Impact on beneficiaries
The lowering of the age will benefit thousands of people who were just a few years away from meeting the original requirement. For many older adults, waiting meant surviving without a stable income or depending on family members who, in contexts of high costs of living, cannot always provide constant support.
The subsidy, although modest, covers basic food, medicine or transportation, expenses that often become an unsustainable burden for those who live day to day. With the change, new beneficiaries will be able to access these resources without having to wait longer.
Fiscal viability concerns
Despite the positive social impact, economists and analysts agree that the measure requires a clear financial plan. The increase in beneficiaries implies that the government will have to strengthen the program’s financing sources to avoid pressure on the general budget.
They also warn that, although aid is necessary, it does not replace a structural reform of the pension system that would reduce the gap between those who contribute and those who are left out of the formal labor market.
The reduction of the age to access the subsidy opens a discussion about the future of Colombia Mayor and how to guarantee that social assistance reaches those who really need it without compromising the fiscal stability of the country. Meanwhile, thousands of older adults are preparing to receive economic relief that could transform their quality of life in the short term.
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