A recent report by the official newspaper Girón has revealed one of the most painful realities of present-day Cuba: the extreme precariousness in which thousands of retirees live, forced to survive on the streets after decades of work.
In Matanzas, under the scorching Caribbean sun, elderly individuals who once held essential positions in the national economy now sell bags, cigars, pastries, or fruits on street corners and in doorways.
Raúl Navarro González, author of the report titled “Surviving After Working”, starkly portrays scenes of elderly men and women who cannot meet their basic needs with the pensions they receive from the state. The series of captured images depicts the daily struggle of those who, instead of resting after a lifetime of work, must continue their efforts to ensure their livelihood.
Among the collected testimonies, one stands out from an 85-year-old former mechanical engineer, who admitted that, despite his fatigue and age, he works from seven in the morning until three in the afternoon to supplement his meager pension of only 1,628 pesos. Jorge Isidro Herrera, a former worker in the sugar industry for 45 years, now survives by selling cigarettes on the street with a retirement income of 1,500 pesos. Additionally, a specialist in turbines and compressors, who dedicated his life to the industrial sector, now gets by selling traditional sweets, earning a mere "ten pesos" for each piece. Gustavo Pedro, who served as an administrator of polling stations and warehouses, recounts that his pension "is not enough" and that, along with his wife, they survive "as best as they can."
The reality presented by Girón is not an isolated case. In recent weeks, numerous public complaints have revealed how thousands of retirees in Cuba are facing similar conditions of misery. A video shared on social media captured the plight of an elderly woman who, after receiving her pension of 1,500 pesos, could only buy a bottle of oil, thus spending her entire monthly income on a single product.
Another touching case was that of retired professor Genildo, in Holguín, who survives by collecting empty cans alongside his wife and disabled son, after dedicating his life to teaching.
In Matanzas, a young woman highlighted the precarious situation faced by her retired aunt, demonstrating that with her pension of 1,600 pesos she could barely purchase a few basic food items, products that do not even last for two days of feeding.
Another video also went viral, showing how with the current minimum pension set at 1,500 pesos, only a few basic food items can be purchased, leaving retirees with barely enough to survive.
According to official data published in October 2024, more than 39% of Cuban retirees survive on the minimum pension, equivalent to about five dollars at the informal exchange rate. This situation has worsened following the dissolution of the National Institute of Social Security and the transfer of responsibilities to the provinces, leaving the elderly even more vulnerable in a context of uncontrolled inflation and shortages of basic goods.
The plight of Cuban retirees reflects the harshest face of the economic failure of a system that promised social protection and dignity for its workers, yet today forces them to seek on the streets what they cannot obtain after a lifetime of effort. Although the official narrative insists that "no one will be left unprotected," the reality of thousands of elderly people selling goods on street corners, surviving with the help of neighbors or emigrants, reveals a systematic neglect that even the official media can no longer hide.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Situation of Retirees in Cuba
What is the economic situation of retirees in Cuba?
The economic situation of retirees in Cuba is extremely precarious. The majority of retirees survive on a minimum pension of around 1,500 Cuban pesos, equivalent to about five dollars at the informal exchange rate. This amount is insufficient to cover basic needs due to rampant inflation and shortages of essential products.
Why must retired Cubans continue to work?
Many Cuban retirees must continue working because their pensions are not enough to cover their basic needs. Despite having dedicated years of work to the State, inflation and product shortages make pension income insufficient, forcing the elderly to seek other means of livelihood, such as selling goods on the street.
What impacts does the disappearance of the National Social Security Institute have on retired Cubans?
The disappearance of the National Social Security Institute has left Cuban retirees in an even more vulnerable situation. The transfer of responsibilities to the provinces has resulted in ineffective management, which has not addressed the underlying issues and has worsened the living conditions of the elderly, who do not receive the necessary support from the government in a context of high inflation and shortages.
What role does the community play in supporting Cuban retirees?
In the midst of the economic crisis, the solidarity of the community has become a fundamental pillar for Cuban retirees. Many rely on the support of neighbors and family to survive, as government assistance is insufficient. Citizen initiatives on social media have also emerged to provide help to those who need it most.
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