Edwin (not his real name) is 68 years old and lives in Bonaire. His wife passed away a few years ago and his two adult children have left home. Edwin is retired and is supposed to receive his first state pension this month. If he lives frugally, he can just get by. But when he tries to pay at the supermarket, the card machine indicates there is no balance. Edwin checks his account and is shocked: apparently, the pension has not been transferred.

In the weeks that follow, Edwin checks his bank account every day, hoping the issue will be resolved. At the moment, he can still buy groceries because he has some savings. But after two weeks with no deposit, his anxiety increases. Therefore, he contacts the Social Insurance Bank (SVB) in Curaçao. He asks what is going on, and an employee says they will investigate his case.

From pillar to post

In the following months, he emails and calls the SVB. But Edwin is repeatedly sent from pillar to post: his file has been forwarded, the case is under investigation, and he will receive a response soon. But no solution comes. Edwin starts to worry a lot. He sleeps poorly because he does not know how he will pay his rent next month. And he prefers not to borrow money from his children. 

Address not correctly provided

Desperate, he calls the National Ombudsman. Employee Fien (not her real name) understands Edwin urgently needs help and calls the SVB. Then it is quickly resolved: apparently, the pension is not paid because Edwin did not provide his address correctly when applying. Edwin is called by the SVB the same day and receives his pension retroactively. Edwin sends Fien an email to thank her.

Unfortunate that we are needed

I am glad Edwin can now focus on his old age without worries. But I also find it unfortunate that we are needed to solve such simple problems. Edwin unintentionally did not provide his address correctly. Although there were problems with his address, the SVB had his phone number and could have called him. Now Edwin was unnecessarily stressed for a while. You can expect the government to contact citizens if something is wrong and to quickly fix errors.  

 

This column appeared in De Telegraaf on December 6, 2025. The person in the photo is not the person in the text.