The Paraguayan Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) has announced the temporary suspension of pension payments to over 8,000 pensioners affiliated with the Fiscal Pension Fund (Caja Fiscal) who did not participate in the mandatory pensioner census.

According to Jorge Delgado, Director of Pensions at the MEF, this measure was implemented after the participation rate in the mandatory census exceeded 90%, with over 68,000 pensioners having already completed their registration. In an interview with local media, Director Delgado emphasized, "Payments will be automatically suspended for those who did not participate in the census, but the census system will remain operational, and the only condition for the resumption of payments is the completion of the census procedure."

The census is being conducted online exclusively through the MEF's official census portal. The Ministry of Economy and Finance plans to collaborate with local municipalities to identify and assist unregistered pensioners, focusing on normalizing their situation. Delgado added, "We aim to directly reach out and support pensioners who have not yet participated in the census. At the same time, verifying their survival to prevent undue pension payments is also an important objective."

The MEF explained that this online census procedure is fast, secure, and entirely digital. Furthermore, pensioners can directly check their registration status through the MEF's official website and can use the customer support service available from Monday to Saturday, 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, for any inquiries.

Background and Additional Information:

The Paraguayan government's implementation of such a large-scale pensioner census and the strong measure of suspending payments for non-participants are analyzed as an unavoidable choice to enhance the transparency and efficiency of the pension system. As society ages, the stability of pension finances is emerging as a national challenge, and preventing cases of improper payments or continued payments to deceased individuals is essential for securing fiscal soundness.

The online census is designed to allow pensioners to participate conveniently without time or geographical constraints. Additionally, the information collected through digital means is expected to be databased, contributing to the establishment of an efficient pension management system.

However, some argue that greater government support is needed to increase the participation rate of elderly pensioners who are not familiar with digital devices or have mobility issues. The Ministry of Economy and Finance's plan to collaborate with local municipalities to directly find and assist unregistered beneficiaries is seen as a positive step to address these concerns.

The pension payment suspension is temporary, and pensioners who participate in the census belatedly will have their payments reinstated. However, prolonged delays in census participation may result in disadvantages in receiving pension benefits, so eligible individuals should participate in the census as soon as possible.

The Paraguayan government's measure is part of an effort to improve the efficiency of the pension system and prevent financial leakage, and it is expected to play a significant role in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the pension system. Based on the experience gained from this case, the government should continue its efforts to build a more efficient and transparent pension management system. Furthermore, it will be necessary to encourage and support the participation of socially vulnerable groups, ensuring that all pensioners can exercise their rights without disadvantage.