The Ecuadorian Social Security Institute (IESS) has its precedent in the creation, in 1928, of the Pension Fund, to grant pensions to civil and military public employees. In 1942, the Law on Mandatory Social Security was issued. And since 1970, we have known it as the Ecuadorian Social Security Institute, which today offers affiliates pension insurance, health insurance, occupational risk insurance and peasant social insurance.

It is no secret that the financial situation of the institution is worrying and that the pension insurance is the most affected, which threatens the pension, both for those who already receive it, and for those who expect it. The number of pensioners is growing and the time during which they will receive benefits is growing at the same rate as life expectancy, and the number of contributions is not enough. Much has been said about the need to face the problem and propose solutions. This task was undertaken by a commission made up of experts who have their proposal ready.

The knowledge that the possibility of changes is approaching caused fears and rumors, however, in what the Commission proposes, it is clear that the possibility of privatization is not considered, the minimum retirement age is not increased, the percentage of contributions is not increased, the rights of current retirees are not reduced , as well as those who are about to retire.

But some changes will be necessary, because the commission states that the problems are structural and will not be solved only by paying debts to IESS, nor by increasing the number of affiliated companies, nor by better management, because “its design is not in accordance with the aging of the population and extended life expectancy century.

One of the proposed changes relates to governance and management. It is proposed to establish an IESS-Pensions committee within IESS, independent of the current Board of Directors, which will be in charge of disability, old-age and death insurance (IVM), severance pay and unemployment insurance. The current Board of Directors would be in charge of health insurance and professional risk insurance.

Probably, dear readers, you think that this article did not touch on the most important thing, related to the financial issue, and it is so, because I think that this is information that will have to be explained very clearly to the public. and, secondly, because I suggest that we feel called to meet the proposal with complete openness and comment on it without prejudice because no change, however good it may be, will achieve its goal without the participation and acceptance of citizens. It is important to be clear that we cannot have something different and new if we want to keep what we have had for years. For that we need tranquility and understanding of the basic principles of social security: solidarity, sufficiency, sustainability, justice and universality. The problem concerns all of us, some because we are retired, and others because one day they will be. (OR)