When will Colpensiones pay retroactively? Thousands of pensioners could collect it but don't know.

Every year, thousands of Colombians access their retirement after decades of work, but many are unaware that they could be missing out on a significant sum: their retroactive pension. How can I check it and find out the amount?

This amount corresponds to the months that elapse between the moment the worker meets the requirements for retirement and the date on which it is finally approved and the pension begins to be paid. Although the right to retroactive payment is enshrined in the law, ignorance of the procedures and deadlines means that many people do not claim it.

In the case of the Colombian Pension Administrator (Colpensiones), the retroactive benefit is calculated from the date the member was removed from the system as a contributor, provided they have already met the age and contribution week requirements.

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Who can claim retroactive pension payments?

To be eligible for an old-age pension in Colombia, you must have contributed at least 1,300 weeks (approximately 25 years) and have reached the legal age: 57 for women and 62 for men.

If a person meets these conditions and submits their application, but the retirement recognition process takes several months to complete, they are entitled to claim the accumulated payment for the period during which they did not receive their pension. This accumulated amount is known as the "retroactive pension."

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How do I request retroactive payment from Colpensiones?

The process for claiming retroactive pension payments is not automatic. The interested party must:

1) Complete the form provided by Colpensiones for this purpose.

2) Attach the following documents:

- Copy of the resolution approving the pension. - Complete employment history. - Identification document.

The Colombian Ministry of Justice and Law stipulates that the pension administrator will have a maximum period of one month to review and issue a ruling on the request. If the request is approved, the pensioner must make the corresponding payment. If the request is rejected, the pensioner may file a claim before the ordinary labor court to have their pension retroactively recognized. It is important to note that labor rights expire three years after they are generated, so it is essential to complete the retroactive application process within this period. Otherwise, the beneficiary could lose the right to claim this money.

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