economy

The Wallet: Why pensions are insufficient and what alternatives exist to increase retirement income?

Portafolio Journalist 05.16.2026 12:40 Updated: 05.16.2026 12:40

The Wallet: Why pensions are insufficient and what alternatives exist to increase retirement income?

TL;DR

  • Colombia has two competing pension regimes: the public RPM (Colpensiones) and the private RAI (AFPs).
  • RPM pensions are calculated based on credited weeks and average salary over the last 10 years.
  • RAI pensions depend on contributions, investment returns, and time funds are held.
  • A proposed pension reform would create a pillar system, with initial contributions going to the public system and excess to private funds, ending the competition between regimes.
  • Regardless of the regime or reform, pensions are expected to be significantly lower than pre-retirement salaries.
  • Factors like informality, periods without contributions, and market performance affect pension amounts.
  • Strategies to increase retirement income include voluntary savings, investing in income-generating assets, having rental properties, extending working life, and reducing future expenses.
  • The focus should be on building additional income for old age, not just choosing a pension regime.