President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s new pension plan for senior citizens debuted in Jalisco January 27.
The state’s first recipients hailed from the Tala municipality. Together with all Mexicans over the age of 68, they are now entitled to a stipend of 2,550 pesos (US$133) every two months from the federal government.
“This is a part of the national program to correct and improve the living conditions of all Mexicans,” said Carlos Lomelí, the federal government’s delegate for Jalisco’s developmental programs.
According to the former gubernatorial candidate, 245 pensions were handed out at the main plaza in the Tala delegation of San Isidro Mazatepec.
“You, in the course of your life, fulfilled this country, your family and your children,” Lomelí told the pensioners.
Since taking office, Obrador has clearly stated his intention to assist more than 8.5 million elderly citizens in their retirement. The expenditure adds up to approximately US$5 billion a year.
Among the nation’s indigenous community, the qualifying age to receive the stipend will be 65, due to the higher poverty rates.