Many elderly people run into financial problems due to more expensive groceries and energy prices, according to the Senior Coalition, a collaboration of various interest groups for the elderly. The coalition demands that the state pension be raised immediately.
The coalition consists of the ANBO, KBO-PCOB, the Umbrella Pensioners and NOOM. According to the coalition, almost a quarter of the elderly have difficulty making ends meet because of the higher costs. One in eight says they have no buffer or piggy bank. “We are talking about about half a million people, who already have to cut back on their groceries and extras,” says director Ingrid Rep of KBO-PCOB in the morning newspaper. “And ten percent of those people already replace the evening meal with bread or soup.”
From next year, the minimum wage will be increased in steps, so the associated state pension will also increase. A single elderly person now receives 1261.52 euros per month in AOW, a married or cohabiting couple 1727.76 euros. According to the Coalition for the Elderly, not enough, not at all because the association fears further price increases.