In an interview on the program 2x3 en Salud, Francisco A. Torres, superintendent of the Dominican Republic's Pensions Superintendency (SIPEN), highlighted longevity and irregular contributions as risks to pension adequacy. People reaching age 60 live about another 30 years, requiring sufficient savings to sustain that period. Thirty years of continuous contributions, equivalent to 360 monthly payments, could provide a pension of around 50% of the final salary, but most members do not contribute that consistently. The system has accumulated nearly DOP 1.7 trillion, around 20% of gross domestic product, with investment returns accounting for more than half of the balance. At retirement, programmed withdrawals keep savings with a pension fund administrator and are recalculated annually. A lifetime annuity instead provides income through an insurer for life, with inflation adjustments every two years. Members should obtain advice before choosing, because the retirement decision cannot be reversed once the contract is signed. A lower eligibility threshold for the minimum pension remains under evaluation and would require National Congress approval. Earlier reform discussions envisaged reducing the required contribution period from 25 years to 15 years, addressing the difficulty many members face in qualifying for a guaranteed lifetime pension.

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