The Prime Minister’s Pension (Amendment) Bill, 2025 has been passed in the House of Representatives, with a division of 27 members voting for it and 11 abstaining.
Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo piloted the Bill in the House on Friday afternoon, saying the Bill introduces a clear standard of at least one year’s service from the date of appointment as Prime Minister before any pension entitlement arises.
He said the Bill is “neither sinister nor ad hominem” and will apply equally to all Prime Ministers, regardless of political affiliation.
“The introduction of a minimum mandatory period of service by the Prime Minister to gain a pension via a tiered system of meritocracy. When one looks at the landscape, Mr. Speaker, of the pension laws in Trinidad and Tobago, one would see that almost all offices have a minimum period stated in law for which one must fulfil to qualify for a pension.”
The amendments will also establish a tiered, merit-based framework, similar to existing pension rules for other public offices, including Members of Parliament, teachers, diplomats, police officers and firefighters — roles that already require minimum service periods of between five and ten years to access pension benefits.
“I am absolutely reminded that a member of this honourable house, not one member of this honourable house, will be left penniless as a result of the passage of this legislation by this House. The provisions, Mr. Speaker, in our view, this tiered system is fair, just and equitable. A characteristic which fully defines this government on this side. Mr. Speaker, it provides a clear and transparent manner for the Prime Minister to earn the justifiable and proportionate pension that is allocated on the basis of service.”
In response, Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles stressed the importance of fairness and broader reform across the public sector.
She argued that while the opposition supports pension reform in principle, the retrospective elements of the Bill raise questions about the government’s intentions.
“I’m making it clear that we support reform. But I’m making it clear that it is difficult to support when you come to the House and you say that it is all about you, and you, and you alone, and that we want to change that position. Mr. Speaker, at the end of the day, I have to believe, regardless of what, that all of us in here, at the end of the day, want good legislation.”
She concluded by warning against using parliamentary majorities to settle political scores, urging lawmakers to uphold the dignity of the office while ensuring reforms are fair and sustainable.
The Prime Minister’s Pension (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was passed just before 6pm on Friday.