Every month, countless elderly Cubans face the same ordeal: rising before dawn, enduring endless lines at state banks, and waiting for hours—sometimes under the scorching sun, sometimes since the break of dawn—to collect a pension that barely sustains them for a few days. A video circulating on social media once again highlights this pervasive issue across the nation.
"Look at these massive lines that Cubans have to endure to collect their monthly earnings. Retired seniors have to arrive at the banks early and stand in these enormous queues, leading to arguments and disputes as some attempt to cut in line," explains Milenis García, the individual who captured the footage. The video was recorded from inside a vehicle driving down a colonial-style street, depicting bike taxis parked and a lengthy line of people on the sidewalk.
The Monthly Struggle Across Cuba
The images underscore what activists and citizens call a "monthly snapshot" of the failure of Cuba's social security system.
This scenario unfolds in Camagüey, Holguín, Cienfuegos, Havana, Santiago de Cuba, and Matanzas. In Camagüey, elderly individuals sleep at the bank's entrance to secure a spot, a situation worsened by power outages that force branches to close early. In Cienfuegos, authorities have stationed police officers to manage the pensioners' lines outside banks. In Havana, there have been instances of pushing and chaos as pensioners strive to collect their payments.
Economic Hardships Deepen the Crisis
The economic backdrop exacerbates the dire situation. Following an increase mandated by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security's Resolution 14/2025, the minimum pension was set at 4,000 Cuban pesos per month starting in September 2025. However, rampant inflation and the peso's devaluation have rapidly eroded its value.
By May 2026, with the U.S. dollar trading at approximately 545 Cuban pesos on the informal market, that minimum pension equates to a mere seven or eight dollars monthly, while the basic goods basket in Havana costs around 12,000 pesos per person.
A survey conducted by the Independent Trade Union Association of Cuba in 2025 among 506 retirees in five provinces found that 99% reported their pensions were insufficient to cover food expenses.
Banking System Woes Compound Elderly Struggles
The banking system further intensifies the ordeal. Over 50% of ATMs in Havana are out of service, plummeting from more than 500 to roughly 200 operational machines. The presence of "coleros"—individuals who sell spots in line—sparks arguments and shoving among elderly people, many of whom face mobility challenges or chronic illnesses.
The government has partially acknowledged the issue with a pilot program allowing payments in private establishments launched in four Havana municipalities. However, this initiative remains largely unknown and has very limited reach.
Approximately 2.3 million people in Cuba receive pensions—about 21% of the population—a number that grows each year as the working-age population continues to emigrate en masse. According to projections by the National Office of Statistics and Information, this figure could rise to 2.5 million by 2026, further straining the already collapsing social security system.
Understanding the Pension Crisis in Cuba
What challenges do Cuban pensioners face when collecting their pensions?
Cuban pensioners face long lines and hours of waiting at state banks to collect meager pensions. The banking system's inefficiencies and the presence of "coleros" selling spots in line further complicate the process.
How has the Cuban government's response been to the pension crisis?
The Cuban government has introduced a pilot program allowing pension payments in private establishments in select municipalities, but its impact remains minimal and largely unrecognized.
How does the economic situation in Cuba affect pensioners?
Inflation and the devaluation of the Cuban peso have severely reduced the buying power of pensions, making it difficult for retirees to afford basic necessities.