Seniors can expect a 2.7 per cent increase in their pensions this year after an adjustment for inflation was tabled in the House of Assembly.

Wayne Furbert, the Junior Minister of Finance, read the Contributory Pensions (Amendment of Benefits) Order 2025 yesterday.

The increase is expected to go into effect in August, with the adjustment appearing the following month.

Mr Furbert said that the increase would ensure that government assistance for seniors would keep up with inflation.

He added that it upheld the Progressive Labour Party’s promise to give seniors a yearly increase to their pensions — a promise, he said, that had been upheld for seven years.

Mr Furbert said: “This Bermuda Government never shirked its duty to Bermuda’s seniors.

“Each pension increase is a demonstration of our care and our commitment to our seniors.

“This government values you and this government will always stand with you.”

The pension increase was broadly welcomed by members of the House of Assembly.

Douglas De Couto, the Shadow Minister of Finance, said that the extra cash was necessary for seniors — but many were still struggling and needed more.

He said: “I would suspect if you were to poll the recipients of these funds, they would say, ‘Thank you, but it’s still not keeping up’.

“That’s certainly the feedback we receive.”

David Burt, the Premier and Minister of Finance, hit back against Dr De Couto’s comments.

He said: “Only in the One Bermuda Alliance’s world is an increase of 2.7 per cent in pensions not enough.”

Mr Burt compared his government’s annual increases with that of the One Bermuda Alliance Government, which he said had given one increase after five years.

He added: “It is this government that is keeping its promise and delivering pension increases by the rate of inflation.”

Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, said that the increase would not only assist seniors now, but future retirees.

She said that it was this government’s “duty” to support its elders.

Kim Swan, a Progressive Labour Party backbencher, pointed out that company pensions were not always reliable because businesses could fold.

He added that many seniors were often left choosing between food and medication.

Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, agreed that advancing pensions was “extremely important” for the people of Bermuda.

He said it was part of the “social contract” between elected officials and citizens of the country.

Mr Hayward said: “This is about us realising that pension is a critical social protection.

“Without it, many seniors would be living in homelessness.”