Premier Burt On PLP’s Pension Commitment
The OBA’s “election platform is completely silent on the issue of pensions,” Premier and PLP Party Leader David Burt said, with the Premier adding that “the PLP’s 2025 platform is clear: we commit to increasing pensions annually in line with inflation and restoring the cost-of-living increases for public sector retirees, which were frozen in 2014.”
Premier Burt said, “Bermuda’s seniors who will be voting in the advance poll on Monday and Tuesday should take note: the One Bermuda Alliance’s [OBA] election platform is completely silent on the issue of pensions.
“For years, the Progressive Labour Party [PLP] government has ensured that seniors’ pensions keep pace with inflation, providing consistent increases to support their cost of living. In contrast, the OBA’s platform gives seniors no idea what they have planned for pensions—offering no commitments, no guarantees, and no reassurances.
“The PLP’s 2025 platform is clear: we commit to increasing pensions annually in line with inflation and restoring the cost-of-living increases for public sector retirees, which were frozen in 2014.
“What does the OBA’s platform say about pensions? Nothing! There is not a single mention of this critical issue affecting Bermuda’s seniors and disabled citizens. What is the OBA’s policy on pensions? Is it still, “money doesn’t grow on trees?” Bermuda’s pensioners are left to guess, as the OBA’s platform fails to provide any policy details. But history provides a clear warning.
“In 2012, the OBA’s platform was also silent on pensions. Following that election, Bermuda’s seniors remember that the OBA made them wait four years before awarding a pension increase—conveniently, in an election year. Their neglect caused seniors to fall further behind, and it was the PLP government that corrected that injustice.
“While the OBA attempts to distract voters with misleading claims about actuarial reports—which, contrary to their claims, have not been delayed—the PLP remains focused on delivering for seniors. Under our leadership, pensions have been increased in line with inflation. Additionally, we have committed to adding a specialist visit to FutureCare to reduce co-pays for seniors and families who support them, and to constructing at least one senior daycare facility to reduce the financial pressure of the “sandwich generation”.
“If the OBA wants to make this election about pensions, the PLP is ready. Our record speaks for itself – we have kept our promise to increase seniors’ pensions every year. Seniors and their families should ask themselves: which party has demonstrated a commitment to protecting and supporting them? The answer is clear – it’s the Progressive Labour Party.”
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“and restoring the cost-of-living increases for public sector retirees, which were frozen in 2014″
First, how are you going to fund an increase in pensions for public sector retirees? We are already billions short of funding for our existing obligations to them. And that is in addition to our current account debt of $3.75 billion or thereabouts.
Second, why did you wait until now to make this announcement. You have been the government for 7 of the last 10 years.
Part of governments job is to increase pensions in line with the rate of inflation.
The UK increase the State Pension yearly with the rate of inflation. Burt has been told that this is what has to be done. Pension increases is not something the PLP should be celebrating, this is part and parcel of running government.
Part of a government’s job is to maintain critical infrastructure. Have you looked at our roads lately?
Committed to increasing the pension while not even being able to pave the roads. Got it.
Why is Burt talking about what is normal to do. When the OBA took over from disaster our years of the PLP, there was no money. They had to steady the ship, which mean’t austerity measures. It worked and now we able to have pension increases. If the OBA win they will increase pensions like normal.
Burt is trying to manipulate seniors, it is disgusting playing on the fears of pensioners. Vote him out.
One year the PLP gave the pensioners an increase, then took it right back by increasing FutureCare to $530.
My auntie was getting a $30 pension increase and FutureCare took it right back.
Yup, we will give pensioners more and increase your own, but will you continue to make it so that civil servants and others have to wait longer to qualify for it?
Why would the OBA, FDM or independents state much when the the countries finances for this past year have not been announced yet. Why call an election before then? Somthing to hide? Why call an election at a time when the coutries future working class in overseas and unable to vote?
How many government departments and Ministries STILL have not produced audited financial statements for prior years? As the Finance Minister/ Premier only he can honestly (or dishonestly ) answer that.
It took you this long to figure it out , dude I think we need people who can think and act
Time for you to go
No matter who wins we are stuck with a PLP budget for the financial year 2025-2026.
Burt and the PLP are making a big play on pension increases. BIG whoop d doo! Pension increases to at least keep up with actual inflation should be an automatic thing.
Burt is messing with the heads of seniors. As seniors with a lifetime of experience behind them they should know a… man when they see one. Burt is throwing out all kinds of meaningless slogans and deflections along with his favourite new buzzword, “Fairer”. He has had two terms to be “fair” to the people. What has he actually done? He has made loads of promises and plenty of wonderful announcements of what the this PLP Government is gonna do, but what has he actually done besides jet around the world on money that could have been used for a meaningful increase in seniors pensions.
THE DREADED DEVALUATION as you will read between the Iines here .
The recent pension release was not exactly what it would think it would take to balance out the large increase in the cost of living which in my opinion has struck a large down turn afecting many retired seniors .
i hop the fund is not under performing?
The fund has been in existing for years from the day that many people first day starting work till their retirement the percentages apear not to be there .
Young people usually hate the idea of their salary deductions , going to a fund . They can’t drive that to work .
I might add to their pension fund.
There are two things we all learn in life is how to earn money and the other how to invest it .
Buying food is an investmrnt in health .
Bermuda can not afford Inflation i wish i coul put that off for another time.
Failing that up to today you will regret the low pension returns.
Do I feel sorry for Bermuda as sorrow shows remorce of the death of a love one, you bet, i do.
Things have never been so bad.
Many regret that inflation is greatly responsible for the decrease in the value of the dollar .
i got a bill for $485.oo for an oil change and break adjust that is absolute mad ness it is called bill loading. as that party took three hours up on the lift..
Here is another ugly down turn it is DEVAULATION ( your money is worth less ) i was aware that could / would happen to Bermuda some 30 years ago .
Now we have come to realize that today devaluation of a countries money usualy happen during time of war , in time of pease, an unwelcome invader that hurts you and our country.
Our loans now cost more to repay , prices increase double if you did no get a compensation by an in crease in salery and or pension.
The big problem is we can not keep borrowing other peoples money . That cost our money .
Many of you will be dipping in to your own savings which generates very little interest as does the pension investmeant fund which fails to keep up with inflation .
We may ask where did the money go?
The election we will factor is less about the candidate and more about money and when you need dollars is coming from the future, Government wil have the same concerns
DEBT does no choose its friends
Go-ahead ask me where i am gettin all this from ?
the answer is you and I are living the night mare , each and every day
Our Polititions will have a very hard time to keeping Bermuda in survival mode at the rate we are going.
We know that we need suport the Government in its time of changethere will e changes money will do that as we have no choice but is we do not have the marbles that becomes imposable.
You can not get blood out of a stone.
One last comment, who do you incombents think you are as you throw caution to the wind.
BACK STABING AND HUMILIATION
I have heard over the last months political BACK STABING AND HUMILIATION you are all doing it , are you aware as you are now counting down the minutes that this type of behaviour is un acceptable and is deemed to be unhealthy.
Is that all you have to offer can you not do better ? no less than kickin peopl in th teeth
Failing all you will successfully drive the voters away.
No good for your Government and the repretation of your countries STABILITY.
Where do you think all that rubish get us ?
For crying out act human . !
That negativity has got to STOP NOW dare i point fingers.
” IT IS NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU, IT S WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY.”
I tell you what is on my mind now you tell me what is on your mind.
GIVE ME SOMTHING WE ALL CAN BE PROUD OF !
“Many regret that inflation is greatly responsible for the decrease in the value of the dollar”
Be grateful we live in Bermuda.
According to our Government, price inflation in Bermuda has been consistently lower than in the U.S., the U.K. or Canada over the past 5 years.
Most economists would consider that impossible given where the vast majority of our imports come from, but that is what our Government tells us.
Joe i see that you ae tailgating me an other again
come on. !
why do our people hear are still on about the high cot of living and why do our visitors go else where or stay home
It is all about the money it is called profit or “loading the bill” . every dealer does it
You do no need me to tell you the differences between the USA and Burmunda cost of merchandise is that we import virtually every thing as you know by doing so come the added cost to market those items
quick example using
Class “H” sized Car in Florrida cost $22,000 including destination delivery , 3/4 tank of gas and prep commisioning.
Same car but right hand drive in Bermuda $50,000. the difference being $28,000 to be apportioned to
Local dealer profit
Ocean freight from east coast
Ocean insurance
Higher commissioning costs at Bda wage rate
Import duty~~~~~ variable
________________
$28,000.
Politicians should take the lowest percentage re pension. You raise taxes, tariffs, raise raise n take in your % for raises n pensions, trips…pay fir own hotel and expenses..you all make enough..why not. Bermudians do not travel with so why pay for your luxury cuz non of you stay at “We’ll leave the light on”!
“We’ll leave the light on”!
Ha! It has been a long time since I heard that advertisement and Tom Bodett’s distinctive drawl
Joe
What is it that you take pleasure in destroying. why are you so critical of me ,our people an this island .
There is no one proble that can not be repaired .
The words of devils advocate cone to mind
What is to be gained when we see that you virtually on many ocasions by way of Parot fashion
my and other people’s thoughts and opinions .
When you have some very good ideas of your own .
Do we not all want the best of same thing?
i am certainly not one to be taken for a joy ride. those days are over
The day I retired after many year of being controled; manipulated ; cheated ; and abused ,that would be for me the end of on the short stick of harassment , I told my self never again.
I like my father , i do support the worling man and those seniors who are struggling , I am concerned that our pension fun has be come part of , or gets lost in Governmeant General Fund .
I am a born Bermudian an proud of it .
I like the rest of us have much to loose.
I will not have you hulmimate me or trample on my hopes ;thoughts; deams for a better Bermuda for us all .
I would not want to see political suicide either or worse want to see Bermuda destroy its self .
My message : We must all work together . We should not build a house of straw .
PAC MAN, I do not mean to be critical of you. I mean to be critical of the politicians and civil servants who spread misinformation, such as that our inflation rate is roughly one-half of that in the U.S., U.K. and Canada.