According to a study by Popular Pensiones, Costa Ricans’ debt balance is three times the savings made for a supplementary pension.
According to analysis by the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC) Costa Ricans’ credit card debt exceeds 908 billion colones, while the accumulated voluntary pension plans does not reach 274 billion.
Data from the Superintendence of Pensions (SUPEN) notes that only 6 out of 100 members of the mandatory pension scheme have a voluntary plan.
We got used to seeing card debts as something normal and savings as something impossible. People spend what they don’t have and leave healthy financial habits, such as saving, aside,”
said Marvin Rodríguez, general manager of Popular Pensiones.
Voluntary supplementary pension schemes are saving mechanisms that allow, through a monthly income, to meet future needs.
The expert indicates there is no awareness of Costa Ricans’ consumption, impulsivity and poor discipline in financial matters, which causes this problem.
Credit cards are “best friends” until the bill arrives. It is therefore recommended to make a tight monthly budget, pay off the debt, save at least 10% of the salary and stop spending unwisely.