After nearly 65 years of anticipation, 44 Cuban workers and their families have finally gained access to retirement funds they had accumulated in the United States before the 1960 embargo on Cuba cut off their access to this money.
The Pension Board of the U.S. Presbyterian Church announced on Wednesday in Philadelphia the completion of this long-awaited process, concluding a situation that had left the retirement benefits of dozens of Cubans frozen for decades. These individuals had worked within the church's structure and had been unable to access their funds due to the embargo.
These beneficiaries had accrued pension credits while serving as part of the New Jersey Synod until 1967, under the church's Defined Benefit Pension Plan. However, with the enforcement of the U.S. embargo, the payments were trapped in American bank accounts, inaccessible to pensioners residing in Cuba.
Decades of Efforts to Release Funds
What initially seemed a temporary issue extended across generations. Over the years, the Pension Board explored various avenues to deliver the funds to their rightful owners. They pursued special licenses from federal agencies, consulted the Treasury Department, and collaborated with U.S. lawmakers to find legal mechanisms for the transfers.
Despite their efforts, obstacles only increased over time. In 2019, financial operations with Cuba became more complex, and two years later, the organization's main banking partner ceased money transfers to the island altogether.
A Breakthrough in 2024
In 2024, progress was made through collaboration with the Cuba Partners Network, associated with the Presbyterian Church's World Mission office. This initiative helped locate beneficiaries and their relatives, verify pending documentation, and overcome challenges related to communication and technological infrastructure in Cuba.
"Shortly after those discussions, we started receiving the documentation we needed. It allowed us to move forward in ways that weren't possible before," explained Callie Sterkenburg, the Deputy Director of Finance for the Board.
In the final stages of the process, Wender Ozuna, a member of the Plan Operations team, played a crucial role as a translator and liaison with the beneficiaries. Many interactions occurred through mobile messaging apps due to connectivity limitations on the island.
"They felt forgotten. Being able to tell them we were still committed to their cause, and then delivering on that promise, meant so much," stated Ozuna.
The Significance of This Resolution
According to the organization, once the project was reactivated in 2024, each case was resolved within about five months, although the total effort to unlock the payments spanned approximately three years.
This story is rooted in the close ties that Presbyterian churches in Cuba and the United States maintained for decades. In 1967, the Cuban congregation formally became independent, forming the Presbyterian-Reformed Church of Cuba. Nonetheless, retirement rights accrued before this separation remained under the U.S. system.
The distribution of these funds comes at a particularly challenging time for Cuban retirees. On the same Wednesday, authorities in the Granma province acknowledged difficulties in ensuring pension payments for the month, while thousands of retirees across the country struggle to meet basic expenses.
Since September 2025, the minimum pension in Cuba has been set at 4,000 pesos per month, an amount equivalent to only a few dollars in the informal market, inadequate for covering essentials like food, medicine, and other necessities, according to various studies and surveys conducted on the island.
For the Pension Board, closing this chapter represents far more than an administrative task.
"This resolution closes the door on decades of perseverance by the Board's employees. Our staff viewed it as a matter of justice and remained steadfast to ensure these individuals and their families received what was rightfully theirs," stated Vivian D. Wesson, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the organization.
FAQs on Cuban Pension Fund Release
Why were the Cuban pension funds inaccessible for so long?
The funds were blocked due to the U.S. embargo on Cuba, which prevented Cuban residents from accessing money held in U.S. bank accounts.
How did the Presbyterian Church manage to release the funds?
The church collaborated with the Cuba Partners Network and worked with U.S. lawmakers and federal agencies to find legal pathways to release the funds, culminating in a breakthrough in 2024.
What challenges do Cuban retirees currently face?
Cuban retirees face significant financial difficulties, with pensions set at low amounts that are insufficient to cover basic living expenses in the informal market.