Charo López, a 79-year-old retired Spanish woman, is once again in the country’s conversation after stating that the approximately 2,300 euros she receives monthly are not enough for a dignified life. The statement, which went viral last week, generated criticism and controversy, leading her to return to the television program Espejo Público to clarify her point of view.
According to the Spanish digital newspaper Noticias Trabajo, which specializes in economics and work, Charo receives two pensions: around 900 euros for retirement and approximately 1,400 euros for a widow’s pension, making a total of 2,300 euros per month. Despite the amount, the pensioner considers that the system is not fair.
Her husband worked all his life and deducted it for retirement, while she only receives 52 percent of that amount. “The rest, I don’t know where it goes,” he said live, adding that his pension was also reduced by 200 euros due to an unknown limit.
According to the same source, the pensioner criticizes that any cut on amounts already deducted throughout her life is unfair.
Charo López was undeterred by criticism from those who consider his situation to be privileged compared to thousands of retirees with lower pensions. “I’m not Doris Day or Marilyn Monroe, but I used my image to give a voice to a very vulnerable group,” he said during the television broadcast.
For the retired woman, the issue transcends the personal. It is a right that he defends. “Young people have a future, I only have a present. And I just ask to live this present with dignity, because I worked for it”, he added.
Two young people also participated in the program, who spoke about the difficulties faced by those facing low wages and precarious jobs in Spain. Despite supporting pension increases, they consider that salaries should also follow the same growth rate. Charo agreed and appealed not to create conflict between generations. “I protect these people because they are the future of the country and they need to receive a fair salary,” he said.
Expenses that weigh
When detailing her monthly expenses, Charo proved practical. Just on food, hygiene and cleaning products, he spends around a thousand euros. To these are added 300 euros in electricity, water and gas, 110 euros for condominium fees and around 100 euros for clothes and other needs, totaling 1,510 euros per month.
By owning your home, you avoid rent or mortgage costs, but admit to concern about the winter. “I can’t worry about the cold and not being able to turn on the heating,” she confessed.
According to , Charo insists that anyone who has worked their whole life and paid back should receive the full amount they contributed, arguing that any reduction is unfair.
The situation is not exclusive to Spain. In Portugal, retirees with average or apparently reasonable pensions also experience difficulties in covering energy, food and health expenses.
Social organizations and unions have been warning about the loss of purchasing power of pensions and calling for increases in minimum pensions and support measures, reflecting a frequent problem on the political and social agenda.
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