At the plastic table in her small kitchen, Maria unfolds the letter once again. The paper is worn from being opened and closed so many times. In bold, it reads: “From January 22, your pension may be increased.” Just below, in smaller and colder print, comes the condition: “Subject to receipt of the missing certificate, to be submitted online.”
Maria does not own a computer. Her old mobile phone can barely send text messages. Her grandson tried to explain “the website” during his last visit, but he lives nearly 300 kilometers away.
She exhales, folds the letter, and repeats a sentence heard more and more among retirees: “They know we don’t have internet access.”
On January 22, some pensions will rise. Others will remain frozen. Not because of eligibility, but because of a missing digital step.
January 22 brings hope, with a digital condition attached
Across the country, the same moment is unfolding in kitchens and living rooms. An envelope marked with the pension fund logo. A few lines that sound encouraging. Then the condition that changes everything: only those who submit the required certificate online will receive the increase. Everyone else is quietly excluded.
What looks like a minor formality on paper becomes an invisible barrier when you are 74, living alone, and your only screen is the television.
When administrative language feels completely foreign
For many retirees, the letter refers to terms that feel unfamiliar: “secure account,” “upload,” “digital locker.” Some turn to the town hall. Others queue at the post office, hoping someone there can “do the internet” for them.
In one small town, the line outside the social worker’s office doubled the week after the letters arrived. People came carrying folders filled with certificates, identity cards, and the same worried question: “Is it true I’ll lose the increase if I don’t go on the website?”
The anxiety goes beyond money. It is the feeling of being tested in a language they were never taught.
An efficient system on paper, a harsh reality in life
Behind the situation lies a straightforward administrative goal. Pension funds want to update records, verify life certificates, confirm residency or income, and prevent incorrect payments. On paper, requesting a digital certificate appears efficient and modern.
In reality, the so-called digital transition ignores a basic truth: many pensioners lack broadband access, struggle with email, or cannot read small text on a smartphone screen.
The system keeps moving, while those who cannot keep up are quietly left behind. For many, this is not a theory, but an everyday injustice.
How to avoid losing the increase without living online
The “missing certificate” is usually less mysterious than it sounds. In most cases, it is a proof of life, a residency document, a tax notice, or a marital status certificate. The exact document is generally named in the second paragraph of the letter.
The most practical step is simple: take the letter and your ID and speak to a real person. This can be a town hall social service, a public service center, a district social worker, or an association that helps seniors with paperwork.
Many of these offices can scan the document and submit it digitally on your behalf.
A common mistake is waiting “until things are clearer.” Days pass, the January 22 deadline approaches, and suddenly the submission window closes. Not out of bad faith, but because of fatigue, delay, or confusion.
Another frequent error is sending documents by regular mail without checking whether paper submissions are still accepted for this specific process. Some funds allow it, others do not. Calling the number listed in the letter, even with a long wait, can prevent serious problems later.
Very few people read every administrative line carefully every time, and retirees are no exception.
Practical steps to navigate the process more calmly
- Visit a public counter in person with all potentially relevant documents.
- Ask for written confirmation that your certificate was successfully submitted.
- Keep a simple folder at home with ID, latest tax notice, civil status papers, and pension statements.
- Write down dates, times, and names of anyone you speak to about your pension.
- Contact a local retirees’ association if you feel blocked or overwhelmed.
Beyond January 22: what this frustration truly exposes
Behind the anger surrounding January 22 lies something deeper. This is not only about a certificate. It is about a generation that worked, contributed, and raised families, now feeling sidelined because they do not “click” fast enough.
The phrase repeated again and again — “They know we don’t have internet access” — speaks volumes. It reflects not just a gap in technology, but the sense that institutions see the data, the coverage gaps, the age statistics, and still move forward in a way that leaves thousands behind.
Some call it administrative injustice. Others call it quiet disregard. The outcome is the same: people who have rights, but lack the tools to exercise them.
Key points to remember
- Identify the requested certificate by reading the letter carefully to avoid sending the wrong document.
- Use human support channels such as town halls, social services, or associations.
- Act before the deadline to protect your right to the pension increase after January 22.
