For this year, the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) will deliver 4,200 new non-contributory pensions. In total there are an additional ¢2 billion to meet the needs of the population.
Ten years ago there were 77,185 people who received the benefit of a pension of the Non-Contributory Regime (RNC). In February of this year, that number had reached 112,558.
Ubaldo Carrillo, Pension director of the CCSS, explained that this benefit is given to people who are in poverty or extreme poverty, who do not have a pension. Some of the requirements they must comply are:
-Being over 65 years old.
-Having some disability.
-Orphanhood.
-Indigence.
-Deep cerebral palsy.
The growth is due to the monthly government support, substantially financed with resources from the Fund of Family Allowances (FODESAF).
In recent months, efforts have been made to improve the response to people requesting this benefit. Recently, the Board also proposed an amendment to article 3 of the regulation, whose objective is to simplify the procedures to request the benefit.
The beneficiaries of these pensions receive an income of ¢78 thousand per month, are entitled to bonus and also receive the assistance offered by the CCSS in Health Insurance.