PCP plans lower pension age for public, higher threshold for MPs

New National Party political leader Kemar Stuart says the People’s Coalition for Progress (PCP) plans to lower the pensionable age for citizens while increasing it for Members of Parliament as part of what he described as a fairer retirement policy.

Speaking at a PCP campaign rally in Baxter’s Road on Saturday night, Stuart said the coalition intends to raise the pension age for MPs from 50 to 57, while reducing the pensionable age for the general public to 62.

“We will be increasing the politician’s pension age from 50 to 57. First order of business, it is going up by seven years,” Stuart said. “Every member of parliament… it is no longer 50, and we will be lowering the people’s age to 62.”

He said the policy was aimed at ensuring ordinary Barbadians are able to enjoy the benefits of their contributions to the National Insurance Scheme.

“We care about you. We want to ensure that you enjoy your retirement, your life, your hard work, your national insurance that you paid in,” he said. “The PCP will ensure that you have it. The government is carrying it up to 70 and 72… that’s not what we want. So [if] it’s good for the goose, it’s good for the gander. That’s policy one.”

Stuart also took aim at comments from Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados, Kevin Greenidge, who has warned against major cuts to the 17.5 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) and suggested such reductions could threaten economic stability and fail to significantly ease the cost of living.

In response, Stuart argued that VAT revenues are strong enough to support a reduction.

“[Kevin Greenidge] came out and said that cuts were reckless and they will not achieve the results that we want. I’m here to say to you people tonight, that is a lie,” Stuart said.

He noted that between April and December 2025, the government earned $860 million in VAT.

“Our VAT collection is going to surpass $1 billion for sure,” he said. “How could 2.5 per cent out of $1.6 billion hurt you? That’s about $64 million a year. It cannot hurt the Prime Minister’s economy.”

Stuart added that VAT reform would be a key component of the PCP’s economic proposals. “One of our proposals is total VAT reform,” he said.