[Blog] BUDGET PENSIONS PROPOSALS – THE BIG IRONY

Open letter to the Prime minister & Minister of finance, cabinet ministers & all members of the parliament, opposition parties, experts & advisers of govt, trade unions & the press

THIS TUESDAY 23RD JUNE 2026

I, most humbly wish to submit the following for your kind consideration viz:

1) CONTRIBUTIVE PENSIONS CONSIDERED AS REVENUE:

Workers in general have worked for many years and have contributed from their salaries to earn a pension for their old age. The Government itself accepts that when the worker gets his LUMP SUM, this amount is not taxable. BUT, now that the worker has opted for a reduced LUMP SUM and a monthly pension until his/her death. This PENSION (now called “Contributory Pension” is being considered to be REVENUE and will be reduced from his OLD AGE BASIC RETIREMENT PENSION. Is this not a BIG IRONY ???

2) It is to be noted that already all Tax Payers are already being taxed on these CONTRIBUTORY PENSIONS. SO DOUBLY BEING VICTIMISED???

3) JUST as the MEANS TEST has been abolished following the population outcry, we request that the CONTRIBUTORY PENSION be also removed as it is already being TAXED.

4) How can Those Great THINK TANKS/Economists/Advisers of the Government decide to impose a NEW ANNUAL TAX on the PERSONAL NUMBER PLATES , when these NUMBER PLATES have already been purchased (at big prices) and became the property of the Vehicle Owners?

5) If Government really wants to fill the DEFICIT OF THE CONSOLIDATED FUND, the Experts could have proposed many more targeted ideas , if they really wanted to raise funds.

6) Those Experts must be knowing that no one had asked to abolish the GENERAL RATE HOUSING TAX in the Urban Areas. On the contrary, people was asking that same General Rate Housing Tax be imposed for the Rural Areas. The then Govt, in order to obtain votes, instead decided to abolish the said General Rate Housing Tax also in the Urban Areas for the Municipalities. Now, you can all see all these big Houses/Mansions, being built, purchased and purchased by MILLIONS, are no longer being claimed any ANNUAL GENERAL RATE HOUSING TAXES.

7) WHY DID THEY NOT THINK OF REINTRODUCING A TARGETTED GENERAL RATE HOUSING TAX FOR THE SO MANY MANY BIG HOUSES ALL AROUND THE ISLAND. IF YOU CAN CONSTRUCT/BUY A BIG MANSION, YOU CAN EASILY PAY THIS ANNUAL TAX.

8) JUST UNDER THIS ONE ITEM, THE CONSOLIDATED FUND WILL NOT HAVE TO GIVE BIG SUBSIDIES TO THE MUNICIPALITIES & DISTRICT COUNCILS FOR THEIR WAGES, SERVICES AND DEVELOPMENTS.

9) SO, PLEASE STOP HARASSING THE OLD AGED PENSIONERS/ WIDOWS/DISABLED WHO HAVE WORKED HARDLY AND CONTRIBUTED IMMENSELY FOR THE COUNTRY.

Awaiting your kind consideration and thanking you very much,

Yours sincerely

LUTCHAM SEGOBIN

CLAIRFONDS , VACOAS