For those living in elderly poverty in the Marshall Islands, the challenges and hardships they face may have roots in the country’s economy and society. People within the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) view economic insecurity as a problem as it controls the availability of social security or pension systems. These systems are very limited or inadequate, leaving many of the elderly vulnerable. For example, although health care has improved in RMI, it may be difficult for elders in poverty to access it as a great number of the population is dispersed around the islands.

Elderly poverty in the Marshall Islands also has links to food insecurity. Droughts and increased storms impact the RMI, with both causing a decrease in natural food and water supplies, as well as limiting imports of food and triggering disease outbreaks. Those living in elderly poverty may also experience inadequate housing or loss of coastal homes due to the sea levels rising and storm patterns.

The main cause of elderly poverty in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) is due to the dependence on the United States for jobs. Due to the Compact of Free Association between the United States and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the citizens of the Marshall Islands can live and work in the U.S. without visas.

This dependence on the U.S. to provide jobs creates no gainful employment opportunities for Marshallese citizens on-island. Some citizens rely on those migrating out for jobs to send out goods as their support.

Changing Weather Patterns

Major natural hazards due to changing weather patterns in the Marshall islands are sea level rise, droughts and tropical storms and typhoons. Threats from droughts and saltwater intrusion make freshwater scarce throughout the islands. This lack of water undermines food security, which increases reliance on imports to supplement nutrients. The imported food can often be unhealthy and are a risk for those already living with certain health risks such as diabetes, obesity or other infectious diseases.

Limited Health Care Access

The RMI population is strewn across the various islands, making it difficult to provide the citizens with proper health care. Stigmas surrounding illnesses and a trust in traditional healing also encourages the Marshallese to delay seeking proper care.

The Marshallese hold certain cultural values that prevent them from receiving proper medical aid as they may not seek treatment until symptoms become severe. Illnesses such as leprosy, HIV and tuberculosis can cause the afflicted Marshallese to experience discrimination due to the severe stigmas surrounding the illnesses. This also causes the afflicted to avoid seeking proper care. 

Lack of Formal Social Security

While the Marshall Islands has a social insurance system providing old-age benefits, it is not the same as the universal old-age benefit system. The key difference is the availability to all residents regardless of contribution. The old-age pension benefit system within the Marshall Islands outlines a qualifying age of 61, each qualifier would receive a three-month period of coverage earned by a certain amount of work under social security.

Solutions

The Senior Citizens Act of 2018 in the RMI establishes a government policy of supporting senior citizens and promoting elderly well-being as well as societal participation.

Developing formal social security as a solution can help elderly poverty in the Marshall Islands, as eligible retirees receive regular payments that will supply a crucial source of income. Along with this, benefits can extend to a wider range of people in vulnerable groups such as older women, those with lower income and those with less access to private retirement savings or pensions.

A wider availability of benefits will also provide more freedom when it comes to retirement choices. A formal social security system will also incorporate life insurance and disability insurance components. This system would also extend to the younger population, as well as to individuals with severe disabilities.

– Eva Wakelin

Eva is based in Atlanta, GA, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

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