A new law will be brought before the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament to raise the legal age for gambling and marijuana use to 25 and increase the legal drinking age to 21.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar also announced that her government is reviewing and planning to amend the country’s tax laws regarding pensions. She argued that individuals who reach the age of 60 and have contributed to the pension system for decades should no longer be taxed on their retirement benefits.
- Advertisement -
The announcements came during the United National Congress (UNC) Monday Report in Penal—the first in a series of planned public meetings. It also marked Persad-Bissessar’s first address to UNC supporters since the party’s victory in the April 28 general election.
Outlining upcoming legislation and policy changes, including plans for Budget 2026 and judiciary reform, Persad-Bissessar also confirmed her intention to seek re-election as UNC leader. She emphasized that true progress must be felt in citizens’ daily lives and finances.
“We’ll make it happen,” she declared. “Progress will take some time, require considerable effort, and involve making some tough decisions to level the playing field. But that’s what’s needed. You don’t want the next five years to be as terrible as the past ten.”
Among the proposals reiterated from her election campaign was the plan to raise the legal age to 25 for marijuana use and gambling, and 21 for alcohol consumption. During the campaign, she frequently highlighted the harmful effects of marijuana on youth, along with the damage gambling addiction and alcoholism have caused families and communities.
On pension reform, Persad-Bissessar stated:
“I believe that once a person reaches 60 and has been contributing to the pension system for decades, they should no longer be taxed on their retirement benefits. This ongoing tax diminishes the value of a pension, which is meant to support retirees in their later years, and feels like double taxation—paying taxes both during working years and in retirement.”
She added, “These taxes strain the finances of seniors, especially those living on fixed or limited incomes, and can be a significant source of frustration. My government will review and amend the tax laws regarding pensions to reflect fairness and recognition of lifelong contributions. Exempting pension income from taxes after age 60 is a fair policy that honors the service and sacrifice of retirees, while also strengthening social support for the elderly. This ensures that those who have given so much are not unduly burdened in their golden years.”
