350,000 Hits on Pension Portals as Mauritius Rethinks State Age Pension

The Korek digital platform and the official website of the Ministry of Social Security have together recorded 350,000 visits, Finance Minister Kugan Parapen has revealed — a figure that underlines how closely Mauritians are watching the ongoing debate around the State Age Pension (SAP). **What is the State Age Pension?** The State Age Pension is a universal monthly payment made by the Mauritian government to all citizens aged 60 and above, regardless of their income or employment history. It is one of the most politically sensitive budget items in Mauritius, touching the lives of hundreds of thousands of elderly residents and their families. The current rate, set at Rs 15,555 per month, has been the subject of considerable debate since the new government took office. Opposition figures and commentators have questioned whether the rate will be maintained, increased, or restructured — and it appears many ordinary Mauritians are actively seeking answers online. **What is Korek?** Korek is a Mauritian government-linked digital platform designed to provide citizens with access to official data, public finance information, and government communications. Its high traffic, alongside that of the Social Security Ministry's website, suggests a significant public appetite for clarity on pension policy. **Why the surge in interest?** The 350,000 visits reflect growing public anxiety about the future of the pension. Former minister Bhadain recently suggested that Prime Minister Ramgoolam may be considering a review of the Rs 15,555 monthly rate, a claim that has not been officially confirmed but has fuelled speculation. For many Mauritian households, the State Age Pension is not just a supplement — it is a primary source of income for elderly members of the family. Any change to the rate, eligibility criteria, or payment structure would have an immediate and direct impact on daily life across the island. **What Minister Parapen said** Parapen cited the 350,000-visit figure as evidence of public engagement with the pension issue, though the full context of his remarks — including whether any formal policy announcements accompanied them — was not detailed in the original report. **What this means** The high volume of online searches and portal visits signals that Mauritians are not waiting for newspaper headlines — they are actively looking for official information. For the government, this represents both a communication challenge and an opportunity: citizens want transparency on one of the country's most important social programmes. Any ambiguity risks fuelling misinformation and public concern among a large and politically active demographic. With pension reform firmly in the public conversation, the coming weeks are likely to bring further official statements on the SAP's future direction. Source: Le Defi Media