DNA members raise alarm over elderly people’s financial hardship and demand clarity on AOV

Three members of De Nationale Assemblée (DNA, Suriname’s parliament) have asked President Jennifer Simons for clarification on the financial situation of older persons in Suriname. According to the parliamentarians, the current AOV benefit and pensions are not commensurate with the increased cost of living. Among other things, they want to know what emergency measures the government can take within 30 days and what structural solutions are possible within six to 12 months.

The DNA members Ameerani Jarbandhan, Johnny Kasdjo and Hakiem Lalmohamed recorded their concerns in a letter dated Tuesday, October 27, 2026, addressed to the president through the Minister of Social Affairs and Public Housing. The parliamentarians invoke Article 86 of DNA’s Rules of Procedure.

According to the submitters, thousands of older persons are facing serious financial problems. They state that part of this group is struggling to afford basic needs such as food, medicines, transport, rent and utilities.

AOV far below cited poverty line

The parliamentarians point out that, according to data cited by them, the regular AOV benefit amounted to SRD 2,250 in March 2026. They contrast this with a poverty line of SRD 7,586 per month for a single adult, which, according to their letter, was published by the Algemeen Bureau voor de Statistiek (ABS, General Bureau of Statistics) in July 2025.

Based on these amounts, the AOV is less than 30 percent of the stated poverty line. The difference amounts to SRD 5,336 per month.

The DNA members are asking the government for clarity on the current structural AOV benefit, including any additional support. They also want to know whether the government is willing to reassess the amount of the benefit and pensions in light of the poverty line, inflation and exchange-rate developments.

According to the submitters, the Surinamese dollar has declined sharply in value since 2020. They state that exchange-rate developments have led to higher import prices and a significant reduction in the purchasing power of older persons.

Questions over 13,203 older persons outside AOV system

Another major point of concern is the group of older persons who, according to the letter, do not receive AOV.

The parliamentarians refer to data from the 2024 financial report and ask why 13,203 older persons fall outside the system. They want to know why these persons do not receive AOV and what measures the government will take to reach them.

They also request a breakdown of the number of older persons who receive only AOV, those who have a pension in addition to AOV, and persons who receive neither benefit, although they may be entitled to them.

The DNA members stress that not all older persons are in the same financial position. According to them, any measures must take into account, among others, older persons living alone, persons with chronic conditions, tenants and older persons without an additional pension.

Rising healthcare costs increase financial pressure

In addition to the level of benefits, the parliamentarians are concerned about the cost of essential services.

In their letter, they mention, among other things, rising co-payments at the Staatsziekenfonds (SZF), expensive medicines and medical treatments, higher electricity and water costs, and problems with affordable transport.

According to the submitters, an increase in the AOV may have insufficient effect if the cost of necessary services continues to rise at the same time.

They therefore ask what measures the government is considering to reduce or abolish SZF co-payments for older persons. They also want to know how it can be prevented that any increase in the AOV is offset by further price increases.

Emergency measures within 30 days

The DNA members do not want older persons to remain dependent solely on policy intentions that will only be implemented in the longer term.

They therefore ask the government what immediate measures can be taken within 30 days to support older persons in purchasing food and medicines and in paying for utilities and transport.

They also request an overview of structural reforms that can be implemented within six to 12 months.

The parliamentarians stress that any commitments must be financially substantiated. According to them, it must be prevented that announced measures are later withdrawn due to a lack of funds.

They also want to know how much a structural increase in the AOV would cost, how many older persons would qualify for it and how the government intends to finance such an increase.

Fourteen questions for the government

In total, the three DNA members have submitted fourteen written questions to the government.

In addition to questions about the level of benefits and possible emergency measures, they ask, among other things, for a transparent overview of social spending on older persons, available budgetary room and the responsible ministries.

They further want to know within what period the government will answer the questions and whether it is willing to report periodically to DNA on the implementation of measures.

In their concluding remark, the parliamentarians stress that older persons have made an important contribution to the development of Suriname and, according to them, are entitled to a dignified existence.

They believe that the government must prevent older persons from having to choose between food, medicines and paying fixed expenses.

A copy of the letter was also sent to the chairperson of De Nationale Assemblée. The document does not yet indicate when the government will answer the questions.